Protest Targets U.S. Policy Toward Muslims

Thousands of Somalis carried images of Osama bin Laden and placards criticizing U.S. policy toward the Muslim world during a demonstration in the capital of Mogadishu. The government tried to discourage the rally.

Hundreds of members of the new police force stood by as one influential Muslim leader told the crowd that Muslims were willing to grant peace to those who gave them peace, but said, “We will make those who keep provoking Islam our enemy.”

One of the placards read: “If America wants her women and children to live in peace, they should also give some peace to their Muslim and black communities.”