A largely peaceful protest took place in Dublin following a string of highly violent protests in the Middle East in response to a YouTube video depicting the Muslim prophet Muhammad as a fraud.
The Irish Times reports on the demonstration that saw between 200 and 300 Muslims march from St. Stephen’s Green to the American and French embassies in Dublin on Wednesday.
One of the organizers of the march, Khurram Khan, told The Irish Times that the demonstration was not political and insisted that the marchers did not represent any Islamic groups.
Khan added that Muslims in Ireland had been waiting for “someone to take the initiative” to organize a demonstration, and that Irish Imams were reluctant to organize an event with the fear that it may have been poorly received.
Despite organizers intending for the demonstration to be a silent one, chants of “USA! You must pay!” and “There is no God but Allah!” began almost immediately after the beginning of the protest.
“We tried our best to keep it silent but the people have emotions as well,” Khan said afterwards.
Abdul Haseeb, former editor of Irish Muslim magazine, was in attendance, though he did not support the way in which the group was trying to get its message across; he believes that lobbying would have been a more effective route.
“Pressure would have changed things,” Hasseeb said, feeling that protests like the one in Dublin alienate the wider society.
The protest went over without much incident. Upon passing the US embassy, some protesters did shout, “USA! Shame! Shame!” but they were briskly waved on by organizers to keep moving.
Both the American and French embassies issued statements after the march saying that they respect freedom of expression, as well as the “spirit of responsibility” from the protesters.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.whitebirtch | Oct 01, 2012, 06:33 PM EDT
Umm-This sounds like a worldwide problem,each country lets people in-they really don't know,are they are extreme or not? Just what is the test? How did that Major involved in the "Fort Hood" massacre get a position of trust in the military? Questions-questions.
seanomelb | Sep 29, 2012, 07:17 PM EDT
Deport whom butlerport?? the bigots like yourself
SAirish | Sep 29, 2012, 02:53 PM EDT
pill04, is it not a tenet of the Catholic religion that the children of a mixed marriage have to be brought up as Catholics.
butlerreport | Sep 29, 2012, 02:38 PM EDT
Deport them immediately.
seanomelb | Sep 28, 2012, 08:10 PM EDT
What a great peaceful demonstration in Dublin,people exercising their democratic rights.
dan Breen | Sep 28, 2012, 05:51 PM EDT
Tell the Muslims and the jews ! Go home !
pilib04 | Sep 28, 2012, 05:47 PM EDT
Tom Mo, Mormons do not mix. A tenet of their religion is that if they get married it MUST be to another Mormon. That is the reason Ann had to convert in order to marry Mittens. Try the Book of Mormon. Mark Twain called it "Chloroform in print." So drink plenty of coffee when you try and read it.
Smyrnian | Sep 28, 2012, 04:51 PM EDT
Don't forget. Islam is the religion if peace. Nobody knew this until now but this is what we are all hearing these days. Strange, I didn't think that on Sept. 11th 2001 when I saw 2,000 innocent men, women and children killed by Muslim fanatics that day.
irishamerica46 | Sep 28, 2012, 04:07 PM EDT
Read the article about Ireland's Brain Drain in today's Irish Central.As I said, young people are leaving. Who's moving in and why???
irishamerica46 | Sep 28, 2012, 03:55 PM EDT
Free speech is just that, free speech. However everyone seems to be forgetting what they did to Ambassador Stephens. Nothing was done. So it's ok to behead, maim , sodomize, kill in an atocious manner and do whatever you feel like cause you don't like Americans.Seems there are never any repercussions.No one is ever held responsible. Everyone is afraid to do anything cause it's politically incorrect.But question their right to the use of protest demonstrations and WOW all the liberal bloggers come out of the woodwork. I asked the question before,why are they moving to Ireland while young Irish are leaving in droves? In 10 years, I bet Ireland and the UK will be Islamic countries.
pmurrayr | Sep 28, 2012, 02:27 PM EDT
You can see the protests and hear them chanting "USA, you must pay". What kind of payment are they seeking. There have already been several deaths extracted by Muslim fanatics over this stupid video. I believe that no matter what payment is extracted they will never be satisfied. With that in mind, since they will never be happy, there should never be any concessions made to their demands. I think Ireland should monitor very closely the growth of the Muslim movement there. They believe that there is no god but Allah and everyone that believes something different is unworthy of respect.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 28, 2012, 02:07 PM EDT
Great historical perspective, IrelandNorth, thanks.
eamonnm | Sep 28, 2012, 11:44 AM EDT
all this over a youtube video, yet no mention of the 4 Americans murdered in the U.S Embassy in Libya over the same video, of course they were extremists muslims not the same as the nice muslims living in Ireland,that just want America to pay ok pay for what, as I understand it America sends billions of dollars to the middle east, or do they mean they just want to kill Americans , these muslims should hang there heads down in shame and pray we Irish dont blame them for the murder of innocent people world wide by Muslims
IrelandNorth | Sep 28, 2012, 08:27 AM EDT
"Love Ulster" (sic) rally in Dublin some years ago was really Love British Imperialism - in drag! Should have been allowed proceed by overly defensive real (sic) republicans. It's a democratic principle to allow people to expose their true colours. England's national flag - the Saint George's Cross, was known to Irish nationalists/republicans in times past as "the butcher's apron", sadly not without historical justification (Emmet's execution for one). Are not phospherous grenades and Clint Eastwood diplomacy Christian fundamentalism - and potentially as mass hysterical as its Islamic heir apparent. Islam is where Orthodox Christianity was at in the 16th century. (And Christian orthodoxy where Judaism was at 3 millenia ago.) It wasn't long ago historically that one could be sent for a Dominican pedicure or barbecued/shish kebabed for heresy by Papa Razi's Prefectured precursors for opposing Rome. Getting stoned (in the non-narcotic context) isn't/wasn't peculiar to Sharia law. Muslims have a Sunday stall at GPO political shrine. Gave me booklets on Islam's take on Jesus (ie Prophet Isa) - ie he wasn't divine nor was he crucified. But then heterodox Christians of the earlly Jesus movement taught/thought likewise too. Hmmm!
bobby | Sep 28, 2012, 07:52 AM EDT
Write a few articles about the gang rapes, Tom??
Smyrnian | Sep 28, 2012, 07:07 AM EDT
The comment posted Sept. 28th. at 1:25am was not written or posted by me. Apparently someone lacks the courage to use their own name. I won't believe much of what I read on this forum from now on. IC needs to figure thus one out and fix this fraud.
Smyrnian | Sep 28, 2012, 06:07 AM EDT
Love the sign! Islam is the religion of peace. It is? What? Who knew!!!!!! Ha!
angrypaddy | Sep 28, 2012, 12:31 AM EDT
Send the stone age idiots back to the stone age
EphraimKibbey | Sep 28, 2012, 12:02 AM EDT
I just saw that the California police arrested the creator of the hate video. No, not because he made the video. They arrested him for using a computer. It seems he was out on parole for a check forging scheme awhile back and one of the conditions was that he stay away from computers. I guess he goes back on the taxpayer's tab in some California jail. I wonder if there will be any muslims in that jail? How much is the Iranian bounty on him? I don't think that he thought this through very well. All of the actors in the video are also suing him for fraud. We should all remember that our actions have consequences "in this best of all possible worlds."
Tom Mo | Sep 27, 2012, 10:37 PM EDT
curtisjohnson. " "the anglo-spheric Dublin establishment" That's why, as a layman, I detest you effing intellectuals. Nobody knows what the f you are saying. Effof
Tom Mo | Sep 27, 2012, 10:11 PM EDT
I wish Irish Central would start concentrating on Muslim crime in Ireland. Write a few articles about the gang rapes and the muggings. Tell the truth. Be real journalists. Alas the last real Journalist was from The Wall Street Journal, Daniel Pearl. But they beheaded him on camera for the whole world to see. Back in 2002, a year after the World Trade "incident."
curtisjohnson | Sep 27, 2012, 10:06 PM EDT
It's the spill over of the british cheap labor project instituted by the anglo-spheric Dublin establishment.
Smyrnian | Sep 27, 2012, 09:44 PM EDT
Tom Mo has it right. Also Muslims do not integrate. By the way I know the Amish; good solid people and never known Amish to hurt anyone. Get a grip on reality folks.
Tom Mo | Sep 27, 2012, 09:38 PM EDT
mecostigan. You are on to something. They will never mingle except to gang rape, go on the dole, and blunder. Ireland better wake to hell up!
mecostigan | Sep 27, 2012, 09:12 PM EDT
Was in Ennis, Clare last week and was amazed by the number of immigrant Muslims who didn't speak English. My perception correct or not was that they are not integrating within Irish society and if this is the case does not bode well for the country's future.
Tom Mo | Sep 27, 2012, 08:05 PM EDT
Jacersagain. Thank you for the correction. I always had a problem with misspelling, always in a hurry. I used to get at least 3 slaps a day from the Christian Brothers for mispelling. God love them, they were great men for the most part. If they were muslin they would probably have cut my right hand off. Which would suit Seanomelb just fine. Hee, hee.
Tom Mo | Sep 27, 2012, 07:51 PM EDT
Seanomelb. You don't like the word Savage? I will gladly substitite it with another if you can give me one that describes one who cuts off heads, stones women to death, rapes children, subscribes to Honor Killing, hates the infidel, prohibits churches on their soil, beheads journalists, hangs dead people from bridges after draging and beating them, what else? is that enough? You effing eegit!
Searlit | Sep 27, 2012, 07:45 PM EDT
It's not good timing for the protest, as The Gathering was just launched. Is there as much regard for how Americans will feel?
seanomelb | Sep 27, 2012, 07:37 PM EDT
Tom you are a tragic figure with a siege mentality! to refer to Muslims as savages is hate speech at its worst. You have a diminished concept of democracy.
eiriamach | Sep 27, 2012, 07:23 PM EDT
What times we live in! Extremist religious leaders have waged assaults on freedom of conscience, freedom of expression and of the press, and freedom of assembly in several places in the world. These leaders include not only Middle Eastern Imams, but also Catholic bishops in the USA. Intolerance can spread like an epidemic when religious leaders attack other groups and censor and suppress dissent. In this atmosphere, when protests and reactions can spin out of control, we need to count on government officials to keep cool heads and protect the safety of all and the freedom of protestors. So I congratulate the French and American embassies in Dublin, where officials stood firm in support of freedom of expression. And Dublin police probably played a role in keeping heads cool. The tolerance of government officials strengthens democracy and provides a clear contrast to irrational clerics who incite Islamophobia and even more extreme reactions.
seanomelb | Sep 27, 2012, 06:18 PM EDT
Democracy at work in Dublin! the right to peaceful protest is a hallmark of a country's democratic maturity. The hate speech coming from Tom Mo and others is the other side of a tolerant Democratic society as vile as they are.
jacersagain | Sep 27, 2012, 06:13 PM EDT
I’m surprised that the photo accompanying the report above does not show the one published in Irish newspapers: it shows a Muslim man wearing a black headband screaming with wickedly hating eyes into the lens of the camera, all the more appearing to be directed at us, the viewers of the photo. The march itself passed off peacefully enough otherwise - but it is a portent of what more is to come in the Islamic future in Ireland. As one protester said: “...free speech is ok, so long as it is not blaspheming our prophet”. Tom Mo (3.14pm) says all else I would have to offer on this incident and the future of Islamic protests in Ireland. The sooner Irish Govt cops on to what’s emanating from the Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh, Dublin (ostensibly funded by the Al Maktoum family of Dubai but also largely Saudi-funded) the sooner they must proscribe all Islamic activity in Ireland for the future safety and peace of the majority of its citizens... Even if it means we lose the Al Maktoums’ great interest and input into Irish horse racing and we Irish lose the milk market and associated beef farms in Saudi Arabia.
Tom Mo | Sep 27, 2012, 05:39 PM EDT
Pilib04. Mormans do mix, as do the Amish. Italians/Irish,Jews/Catholics,Mormans/Christian mix and marry in America and throught the FREE world. In any case heads are not lopped off in the event of a perceved "infraction" of certain mores. What's your point?
EphraimKibbey | Sep 27, 2012, 05:24 PM EDT
This forum is what free speech is all about. One of us puts our views out there and some trash them while others bring in supporting details. Hopefully everyone goes away better informed or at least calmer for having a place to vent their frustration with stuff they can not change. That means that this protest, AS LONG AS PEACEFUL, is part of the guarantee of free speech. It means that Muslims have the right to gripe too. Some idiot put out a piece of hate and these protesters are calling it for what it is and asking like-minded people to also condemn it. This is democracy at work unlike the death and destruction that is happening in the middle east. When people's verbal complaints are redressed by their government, there is no need for violence. When America broke from England it was because few there were listening to the colonies' protests and there was violence as a result. While everyone here has a right to their opinion, it is also prudent to listen to what others are complaining about and validate their right to complain. A good question would be why are there no protests among the Christian populations in the US and in Ireland over the treatment of Christians by the Arab World?
misneac | Sep 27, 2012, 05:17 PM EDT
These Muslims are very religious and sensitive ,still in the Dark Ages !!! Its ok to mock other religions ,but you are obliged to show deference to whatever custom they dream up and forget your own traditions ,and they are amazed when there are any objections to their ambitions for World religious domination . If it were not for the help of the Western world (which they rant against when it suits )most of their countries would be in a sorry economic mess !
pilib04 | Sep 27, 2012, 04:40 PM EDT
Tom Mo, you understand that the same can be said about Mormons. They too are not allowed to mix.
pilib04 | Sep 27, 2012, 04:38 PM EDT
Was that a photo of the launch of the Gathering 2013?
Scrivner | Sep 27, 2012, 04:25 PM EDT
I have the feeling that another Charley-the-Hammer* is due to arise and answer bloodshed with more bloodshed. *Charles Martel, he saved Tours with such style that they named a brandy after him.
Tom Mo | Sep 27, 2012, 03:14 PM EDT
Ireland will one day regret her liberal,politically correct attitude toward Islam. The "holy Koran" forbids mingling with the infidel, Christians, Jews, Hindus; anyone not a Muslim. Islam prohibits Churches its soil. Apostates from Islam get the death penalty - as per the "holy koran." Criticism of Islam or Mohammad is blasphemy, a capital crime. Islam offers no tolerence to other religions. Irish people if you value your freedom, beware.
LAcolleen | Sep 27, 2012, 02:56 PM EDT
I would really like these people protesting against the US because of the film to remember we are a country of free speech. Just because the film got made, does not mean that the US had any approval of content. Protest the filmmaker who tricked his actors and is the sleazy author of this whole mess.
Happyhippo | Sep 27, 2012, 02:50 PM EDT
@Straightalk I would have to agree with your comment,it would'nt be wise for Muslims or any groups to get the locals angry,remember the love Ulster march which was meant to introduce put the full by thousands of NI unionists a few years back ended up being abandoned when violence erupted,the sight of union jacks and Lambeg drums marching on Dublin streets was just too much for some,
irishamerica46 | Sep 27, 2012, 02:10 PM EDT
This article is really upsetting! Why are there no counter demonstrations?
irishamerica46 | Sep 27, 2012, 01:41 PM EDT
Many, many young Irish are emmigrating as there is no work for them. So why are the Muslims coming to Ireland? What do they want? Irish people may be angry with the Church but it is a Christian country afterall. So what's the motivation and why are they allowed to become citizens?The Middle East is not part of the EU. I agree with WoundedKnee and it's really scarey!Americans will have to watch their backs when over there.
rugbyplayer | Sep 27, 2012, 01:40 PM EDT
Cal me a bigot, but Moslems in Ireland, as elsewhere in Europe, pose a real threat to peace regardless of what some Iman or mullah might say.
WoundedKnee | Sep 27, 2012, 01:17 PM EDT
Give 'em a few years and there'll be a lot more of them marching. And they'll be calling for Sharia Law to be implememented in Ireland. Don't believe me? Well, surveys show that a majority of British Muslims want Sharia law introduced there. Isn't Mass Immigration wonderful? It's so modern! Brings the Middle Ages right into the 21st Century.
irishyankee | Sep 27, 2012, 12:27 PM EDT
Shame to see this happening in Ireland. Globalization is the New Cromwell. What he and other British colonizers failed to do, Globalization is wildly succeeding. It will turn your entire nation (as it is in those parts of inner Dublin) into third world messes that will cause you to eventually collapse. I'm sorry, Eire, to see you decline.
Parents | Sep 27, 2012, 12:18 PM EDT
Sick to death of these over-reactions, threats, and the belief that there is only one god - theirs. Everyone is demanding tolerance and yet the Muslims show none for anything or anyone else. Once the tipping point is reached I fear for those who are native of this country and all other counties facing the same situation. The US spent millions helping the Muslims in Egypt when they asked for help, it cost american lives and this is the thanks they get because some yahoos made a film that 99% of Americans didn't even know existed. I wish we would stop immigration and get out of all of the middle east and leave it to them, we should have nothing to do with it.
Irishphotograph | Sep 27, 2012, 12:05 PM EDT
Google the Persecuted Church. Throughout the Muslim Arab World, Christians are set alight, stabbed, beaten, raped, and imprisoned because they believe that Jesus was God in the flesh. This is happening everyday. Google Tunisian Christian beheaded....These very Muslims who marched in Dublin. Are the same Muslims who support that blasphemers be put to death. They would not be Muslims otherwise because this is the teachings of the Quran.
PhlutiePhan | Sep 27, 2012, 11:41 AM EDT
"Islam is the Religion of Peace". This is a world-wide movement. Read Malachi Brendan Martin. It is step-by-step. Hillary believes that she will democratize Islam. Good luck on that one! Chris Stevens was "thrown under the bus" to cover her failure.
Straightalk | Sep 27, 2012, 11:02 AM EDT
Idiots---so theres only God and thats their God !! If they keep this up in Dublin me thinks they may regret it as the Dubs are not to be fooled around with believe me . Just my opinion.
Springfield9 | Sep 27, 2012, 10:24 AM EDT
From a former life, I can assure you about 6 White Phosphorous grenades would break up the party.
mocmanic | Sep 27, 2012, 09:58 AM EDT
Right on target jamieLM! One can only speculate what's in store when Ireland's Muslim population doubles and triples. Is this simply a mild precursor of things to come?
jamieLM | Sep 27, 2012, 09:21 AM EDT
Let's see, how are Christians treated in Islamic countries? How much respect is there for Christianity in Islamic countries? Christians are persecuted and Christianity is stamped out wherever it can be found. I don't see any Muslims protesting for Christians/Christianity to be treated with respect. My message to these protesters is that religious tolerance and respect is a 2 way street.