- Published: 20/09/2012 at 12:00 AM
Chiang Mai Islamic Committee adviser Mustafa Hassan, who led the group, read out a statement denouncing the two-hour US-made movie which has sparked violence and protests in about 20 countries.
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The statement was subsequently handed over to a representative of the US consulate-general. It was issued in the name of the Chiang Mai Islamic Committee and other Islamic committees of the northern provinces.
About 20 police were deployed to maintain peace and order at the venue. The protest proceeded without incident.
On Tuesday about 500 Muslims rallied in front of the US embassy in Bangkok in a peaceful protest against the film.
In response to growing protests over the film, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she has ordered police to step up security at protest sites.
She also called on protesters to refrain from violence while noting that anti-American sentiments expressed at the protests were unlikely to affect Thai-US relations.
Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said the protests were symbolic and were unlikely to have led to trouble.
Tight security was also in place yesterday at Chiang Mai University's political science faculty where US ambassador Kristie Kenney spoke on the US election. The lecture passed without incident.
Meanwhile, Thailand will call on the international community to seek a solution to end violence which led to the death of the US ambassador to Libya and three other Americans in Benghazi.
Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said this will be a major topic of discussion during the UN General Assembly in New York next week.
"Thailand doesn't want to see violence erupt and people attack each other. Many countries might raise this issue at the UN meeting," said the minister, who added that such violence would not happen in Thailand.
Christopher Stevens, the US envoy to Libya, and three other diplomatic staff were killed during violent protests sparked by the anti-Islam film which was made in the US.
Share your thoughts
- Discussion 1 : 20/09/2012 at 05:59 PM
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Believe it or not - but this is a false strategy of tension. The West & its allies Israel and Saudi Arabia have been funding the perversion of Islam for decades, created Al Qaeda and as recently as last year handed them the entire country of Libya. They are trying (and failing) to do likewise in Syria - and now need to sell greater war - how? By getting dupes on both sides to play the "clash of civilizations" card. Wake up.
- Discussion 2 : 20/09/2012 at 05:56 PM
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Well since it was the Neo-Cons who were behind the movie, and also behind the arming, funding, and training of the very Al Qaeda brigades that carried out the attack in Benghazi that killed Ambassador Stevens - and are leading mobs in cities around the world, I'd say it looks more like an attempt to divide people on both sides and prepare the grounds for greater war with Syria and Iran. You've been warned.
- Discussion 3 : 20/09/2012 at 04:28 PM
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It is naive beyond believe to think that this video alone is the root of the protests. It serve the purpose of uniting the masses and give an excuse but the real explanation is the latest halve century of US abuse of armed power in world. Always in the name of democracy and freedom but now in the world of free news interchange we know better. By the way it's called: blowback!
- Discussion 4 : 20/09/2012 at 01:22 PM
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They are not protesting the film, in the end they are protesting free speech, wanting the US government to take control of and eliminate what content can be shown by a site such as you tube. This is the type of protest and violence that the world governments use as an excuse to "protect us" and reduce freedoms. This sort of ignorance spurred “Resist much, obey little.” ― Walt Whitman. When 9-11 happened the Islamic world asked "rightly" for understanding and tolerance. Where are those people now? Whether you understand it or not this type of protest is very much a threat to you and your rights and the regular people need to play a role in stopping this crap now before they lose what little freedom they have left.
- Discussion 5 : 20/09/2012 at 01:20 PM
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Where were they when the Talibans reduced that giant Buddha statue in Afghanistan, which stood for more than a millennium, to rubbles just a few years ago?
- Discussion 6 : 20/09/2012 at 10:12 AM
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The Age of Reason has come and gone. Sadly for some it never came at all. The USA per se, is not innocent on the world stage, and neither are those who seek to condemn. The dangers facing the world are far greater than the scrapping over bits of dirt or deities. The focus on issues like displaced people, human trafficking, global warming, substance abuse, corruption and flawed economic models has been hijacked by stupidity. Whose interests are served by this? Is the emotional outpouring being orchestrated? Is blind rage really that blind? Tighten your lug-nuts. The curtain on the first act has only been drawn back by half.
from iPhone application.
- Discussion 7 : 20/09/2012 at 09:48 AM
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Someone needs to explain to these people that youtube is not an official US government website and they have no control over what is uploaded there. If they have a problem with the video (which they do), they should protest against youtube and urge their governments to ban the video in their own countries.
- Discussion 8 : 20/09/2012 at 09:10 AM
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Maybe more people would have sympathy for their cause if they weren't always killing Buddhists, Christians, and whatever other religion they don't particular like.
- Discussion 9 : 20/09/2012 at 09:08 AM
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Out of all protestors around the world I wonder how many actually saw the film and understood it ?
- Discussion 10 : 20/09/2012 at 09:01 AM
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Is this girl mature enough to know what "condemn" means? Don't pawn your kids for your cause.
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