Twin Cities Muslims peacefully rally against controversial cartoons

-- Abdirahman Aynte

Overseas, protests over cartoons were hardly nonviolent. But the one organized by Twin Cities Muslims was deliberately different—peaceful—so peaceful that furor against Muslim violence seconded the furor over the cartoons, the subject of the rally in Minneapolis.

An estimated 1,000 Muslims crammed into the Brian Coyle Center on Feb. 20 to denounce controversial caricatures originally published by a small Danish newspaper lampooning prophet Muhammad in an unflattering manner.

"The best way to defend our prophet is peace, his core message to us," said Mona Ahmed, 24, a student at the University of Minnesota. "Violence doesn’t help at all."/p>

In Islam, the depiction of Muhammad, positive or negative, is considered blasphemous. The protest was the first held in Minnesota relating to the cartoons.

The publication of the 12 controversial cartoons in September 2005 had a domino effect around the world. Several European newspapers reprinted the caricatures in solidarity with the Danish newspaper and to uphold freedom of expression, further exasperating Muslims. So far, about 45 deaths, mostly in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Libya are blamed on the cartoons.

Minneapolis protestors said they are in solidarity with global Muslims in condemnation of the cartoons but do not condone the violence and lawlessness that followed their being published. To do just that, protestors were decidedly calmer, labeling violence as "un-islamic."

"Islam basically means peace," said Ahmed Abdikarim, a member of the rally-organizing panel. "Despite strong reactions, we’re very discontented with the acts of violence and distraction around the Muslim world."

Sentiments of distress with the violence seem to be equally picking up around the Muslim world. A consortium of renowned religious leaders and scholars recently issued a statement flatly denouncing violence and warning that Muslims may become pariahs. This statement, though, was unapologetically critical of the cartoons but cautioned that violence may overshadow the very protest aimed against the problem.

In some ways, the discontent with violence overshadowed the cartoon protest at the Minneapolis rally. Almost all speakers voiced concerns about a negative perception of Muslims if violence is not quelled immediately.

Many protesters were holding signs that read "Muhammad is a gift of mercy" and "Muhammad is the messenger of God," among others.

Another highlight of the protest was the fact that most major American newspapers have not published the cartoons, earning a rare praise from Muslims.

"American media has shown responsibility," said Hassan Mohamud, imam of Al-Taqwa mosque in St. Paul.

A call for prayer was announced halfway through the rally. Most men stood in lines facing northeast, the direction of Ka’aba, Islam’s holiest site in Mecca, and quietly pronounced "Allahu Akbar" (God is great). Women prayed in a nearby room.

Organizers say they are considering holding similar protests in other Minnesota cities where there is a significant Muslim community, such as Rochester.