Thousands rally in capital against French magazine

KABUL (Pajhwok): Thousands of people, including religious scholars, protested in Kabul on Friday against the publication of blasphemous cartoons by a French magazine.

Following the publication of the caricatures, armed men attacked the magazine Charlie Hebdo on Jan 8, killing 12 people, including the editor-in-chief and prominent cartoonists.

In its latest edition, the satirical weekly republished the cartoon of an Arab man with tears in his eyes, holding a “Je Suis Charlie” sign under the headline “All is forgiven”.

After Juma (Friday) prayers, thousands of Afghans took to the streets, denouncing the sacrilegious act and demanding punishment to the perpetrators.

They assembled in front of Zarnigar Park, shouting “death to the enemies of Islam, death to France and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is our leader”.   

Religious scholar Abdul Salam Abid told participants that Paris had declared war on the Muslims around the globe by allowing the publication of the cartoons.

“We remain committed, heart and soul, to defending our religion and the Prophet of Islam; we won’t allow anyone to insult Islam,” he pledged.

A day earlier, scores of people rallied in front of the French embassy in Kabul, calling for the trial of the perpetrators. Similar protests have erupted in other parts of the country as well.

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