SRINAGAR, Sept 17: Members of Kashmir’s minority Sikh community have condemned the US-made anti-Islam film which shows Prophet Muhammad in poor light and led to protests by Muslims around the world including the valley, and have demanded that new international laws be made to control such “notorious acts”.
“In today’s social and democratic world, there is no place for abhorrence by movie makers or those who try to provoke anti-religious sentiments by depicting counterfeit knowledge on sensitive religious issues and should be put behind bars,” a statement by the All Parties Sikh Coordinaton Committee said.
A trailer of the film titled “Innocence of Muslims”, made by an Israeli-American, was uploaded on YouTube and led to worldwide protests, especially in Libya, where the American ambassador was killed in an attack, apparently in retaliation to the blasphemous content.
In Kashmir, protests continued for two consecutive days, although peacefully, with people demanding that the film maker be punished. The state authorities had also condemned the movie and requested New Delhi’s Information and Broadcasting ministry to block the content on the internet.
APSCC Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said he was “shocked” that the American government delayed the arrest of the filmmaker and blamed the US of trying to protect him.
“He should have been put behind bars immediately for trying to hurt and provoke the religious sentiments of the Muslims all over the world,” Raina said.
“All religions preach love, respect, tolerance and humanity. The teachings of Hazrat Mohammed (PBUH) and Guru Nanak Dev Ji invoke us to follow the path of peace.”
Meanwhile, the Muttahida Ulama-e-Ahli Sunnat – an organisation of Muslim scholars in Kashmir – has called for a general shutdown Tuesday to protest the movie.
The scholars have also threatened to boycott all US-made products saying they will deliberate on the issue with representatives of Muslim countries.
