Following a derogatory publication on Prophet Muhammad by a citizen of France, members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have staged a protest in Abuja against the French President, Emmanuel Macron.
After the brutal killing of French teacher Samuel Paty near Paris, Macron defended freedom of expression: “We will not give up caricatures and drawings, even if others back away”, calling for an end to hatred and violence and for respect for others.
Macron’s comment that Islam was “in crisis” and his defence of the offensive caricature, which Muslims say is an insult to their prophet, has prompted a global backlash, with Muslims across the world holding protests and calling for a boycott of French products.
Members of the sect in large numbers marched from Nitel Junction to Wuse Market and set the French flag ablaze, leading to pandemonium in the city.
Secretary of the Academic Forum of the movement, Abdullahi Musa, said the rally was aimed at condemning the action of French President over the derogatory publication.
He Said;
“We set the French flag on fire in reaction to the attack on Islam and Muslims by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, since the heinous crime of publishing cartoons of the Prophet by the magazine Charlie Hebdo.”
The protest terminated at Wuse Market and forced vehicle owners to use alternative routes.
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