Tiny Minority of Extremists and Cartoon Rage Updates. “Cartoon protesters defy rally ban,” from AP, with thanks to Nicolei:
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Thousands of Muslims defied a ban on rallies Friday in Pakistan’s capital, joining protesters across the country in condemning the Prophet Muhammad cartoons printed by some Western newspapers.
The demonstrations after midday prayers also gave angry clerics a platform to criticize President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and his government’s close relations with the United States.
“America is the killer of humanity, and we will keep raising our voice against it, and its supporter (Musharraf),” said Maulana Fazal-ur Rahman, a cleric and opposition leader who led the Islamabad protest, which drew 2,000 people.
He said protests would also be held on March 3, a day before the visit of U.S. President George W. Bush to Pakistan.
Thousands of people also rallied in the Pakistani tribal region of South Waziristan near the Afghan border. They burned imported products, and vowed not to sell Western products in future.