At least 2,500 in Kyrgyzstan protest caricatures of Muhammad
Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
Publication Date | 26 January 2015 |
Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, At least 2,500 in Kyrgyzstan protest caricatures of Muhammad, 26 January 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54e1a42f1e.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 26, 2015
By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service
JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan – At least 2,500 people have protested in the Kyrgyz city of Jalal-Abad against caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, saying cartoons like those published by French weekly Charlie Hebdo "insult the feelings of religious believers."
The January 26 rally in downtown Jalal-Abad, in southern Kyrgyzstan, was permitted by city authorities.
Demonstrators held posters in Kyrgyz, Arabic, English, Russian, and Uzbek, saying "I Love My Prophet Muhammad," "We are against the caricatures," "Hands off Our Prophet!" and "I am a Muslim and I am against Bombings and Terrorism."
Similar rallies have been held recently in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, and in another southern city, Osh.
Islamic traditions historically have deeper roots in the country's southern regions, including Jalal-Abad and Osh.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website