London, UK, September 26, 2007 – Hundreds of Muslims from across the UK will demonstrate in London this Saturday (September 29th) against the printing by Prothom Alo, a national newspaper in Bangladesh, of a caricature insulting the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his wives and its comparison of the Ka’aba in Mecca to a brothel. The demonstration at the Bangladeshi embassy in London is organised by Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain to express solidarity and support for the Muslims of Bangladesh who have been demonstrating against these grave insults.

Protestors will demand the immediate arrest of the publishers and editors of the offending newspapers, the suspension of the newspaper licences and the re-establishment of the Islamic Caliphate.

Dr Imran Waheed, the media representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, said: ”These insults against the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his wives and the Ka’aba are a deliberate provocation intended to hurt and anger Muslims around the world. Muslims will not remain silent over these cheap insults in the name of ‘freedom of speech’. In recent years we have seen consistently negative, violent and extreme descriptions of Islam – the use of the term ‘Islamofascist’ by George W Bush, ‘evil ideology’ by Tony Blair, recent Swedish cartoons and the gratuitous publication of the offensive Danish newspaper cartoons throughout Europe last year. Now, western inspired governments in the Muslim world have joined the ranks of those helping to fuel the work to disparage Islam and Muslims."

"Having failed to uphold the rule of law, tackle poverty or prevent foreign interference in the affairs of the people, the government of Bangladesh has now failed to defend Muslims against these grave insults to their beliefs. Instead, it has used the police to brutally crack down on demonstrations against these insults."

"The Islamic Caliphate historically ensured that Muslims and non-Muslims were protected from such wanton disrespect and it is only the re-establishment of the Caliphate in the Muslim world that will ensure the beliefs, life and property of all citizens are once again protected."

[Ends]

Notes for Editors:

The demonstration will take place on Saturday 29th September 2007 at 12.00 p.m. outside the Bangladesh Embassy [28 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5JA; nearest underground Gloucester Road/South Kensington].