Thousands of Algerians stage protest against Charlie Hebdo
Xinhua, January 17, 2015 Adjust font size:
Thousands of people took to the streets of Algiers on Friday to protest against cartoons on the Prophet of Islam Muhammad, which have been published in the latest edition of French weekly Charlie Hebdo.
Anti-riot troops were deployed in the main streets of Algiers to prevent the protesters to reach some official institutions.
The protesters started their march from May 1 square, in downtown Algiers, and headed towards Boulevard of Zighout Youcef, where the parliament is located, as they shouted slogans glorifying the Prophet Muhammad.
However, clashes erupted as tear gas and white bullets were used to disperse the protesters.
On Jan. 7, three gunmen broke into the premises of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo and killed 12 people, including journalists and policemen. The attackers said the act was in retaliation to mocking caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published by the weekly.
Last week, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra took part in a march staged in Paris to protest the attack against the French weekly.
The West says mocking cartoons of the prophet of Islam is part of freedom of expression, but these drawings are considered as offense and an act of blasphemy in the Muslim world. Endit