MOSCOW, February 10 (RIA Novosti) - A demonstration protesting the publication of cartoons of Mohammed, considered by Muslims to be a prophet, in some Western media that sparked a wave of anger throughout the Muslim world was held in Moscow Friday.
The protest, which lasted half an hour, gathered some 30 people in front of the European Commission's office.
"We came to voice our protest against the widely-covered provocation in European media aimed at stirring up religious hatred," said Damir Serazhetdinov, president of the Muslim Peacekeeping Center.
According to Serazhetdinov, Muslims from mosques throughout Moscow were invited to participate, but city authorities limited the number of demonstrators.
The protestors demanded that European media apologize for "insulting religious feelings", using slogans that included "the Muslims of Russia are exasperated", "freedom is not to insult religious feelings" and "Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, racism and fascism are links in one chain".
The protestors adopted a joint statement saying that the West must learn from Russia, "whose people from different religions are against all attempts to spread religious conflicts to Russia".
"No doubt, Western countries faced with the necessity of harmonizing interethnic and inter-religious relations should take a lesson from Russia, which is effectively a pillar of all religions," the document said.
The activists insisted that freedom of speech required common sense and responsibility and should not insult or humiliate. As for Europe, they said it was sliding into nationalism, xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia.
About 20 police officers were on hand to ensure the peaceful nature of the protest. They reported no offenses.
