A mysterious film maker who released a 14-minute trailer for a film called "Innocence of Muslims or Life of Muhammad," depicting the Muslim prophet as an idiot, a womanizer, and a ruthless killer, has sparked protests across the Arab world, and now into Muslim countries outside the Middle East.
In total, there are about XXX countries where protesters have gathered.
It should be noted though that there are conflicting reports on the ground as to what the real reasons are for the protests.
Protests have broken in so far in about a dozen countries:
INDIA:
The Associated Press is reporting that about 15,000 protestors have gathered in the city of Kashmir to protest the video, in what's being called the largest showing yet of any Muslim country. The protestors are shouting
The State Department and Indian officials are calling for all U.S. citizens to remain out of the city, and if they're visiting the city now, to leave as soon as possible.
Local authorities there have put about five "separatist leaders" on house arrest, a common tactic during civil unrest.
"If America is true in its claim of being against any kind of religious blasphemy, then it should lose no time in taking stern action against these enemies of humanity," said a statement from the Jamat-e-Islami, the biggest Islamic group in Kashmir.
LIBYA:
Libyan officials say that "many" have been arrested following investigations into the assault that killed ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three staffersone information officer and two former Navy SEALs.
Protests kicked off here a day after people gathered in Egypt.
MALAYSIA:
Only a handful of protestors reported here so far, chanting the phrase "Alahu Akbar" or "God is great" outside embassy walls.
Also, they had printed newsletters calling for the American government to punish the producers of the film.
INDONESIA:
A prominent cleric has urged fellow Muslims to remain calm. About 200 showed up outside the embassy to protest.
We came here because we want the US to punish whoever was involved with the film, protester Abdul Jabar Umam told reproters of First Post. They should know that we are willing to die to defend the honor of our Prophet.
SUDAN:
Thousands of protestors gathered outside of the German Embassy. Protestors jumped the wall and pulled down the American flag, but police disperesed them with tear gas.
Recent reports out say that the German Embassy is on fire and has been completely evacuated.
EGYPT:
Protestors gathered here again today, but reports on the ground are that the protests have become more about violence than the film.
Hundreds of protestors are in front of the U.S. Embassy. Police are using tear gas, water hoses, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Several peaceful protestors are farther back, in Tahrir Square, praying.
YEMEN:
AFGHANISTAN:
IRAQ: Hundred of protesters have taken to Iraqi streets: From CNN:
Angry protesters in the Sadr City district of northeast Baghdad carried banners, Iraqi flags and images of radical Shiite and anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr as they railed against what they see as an insult to their faith.
"America is the enemy of the people," the demonstrators shouted Thursday morning. They also yelled out, "Yes, yes to Islam. Yes, yes to Iraq. Yes, yes to Quran" -- the latter referring to the Muslim holy book.
IRAN: 400 Iranians have gathered outside the Swiss Embassy in Tehran. From Russia Today:
They're "protest[ing] against the American-made film denigrating the Prophet Muhammad that has sparked outrage in the world's Muslim community. Death to the United States and death to Israel and death to England!" was heard over a loudspeaker outside the Swiss diplomatic mission, which represents American diplomatic interests in Iran, following the breakup of diplomatic ties in the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Riot police have cordoned off the are, causing traffic jams around the capital as the crowd voiced support for demonstrations in Egypt, Lebanon, Libya and Tunisia. Shouts of "Muslims, unite!" and "Mohammad is God's prophet"were heard.
ISRAEL: Protests have spread to Jerusalem. From yNet:
Hundreds of worshippers leaving the al-Aqsa Mosque after Friday prayers hurled stones at police officers and rioted near Jerusalem's Damascus Gate.
The demonstrators, protesting against the anti-Islam film that sparked riots across the Middle East, started marching towards the US Consulate but were blocked by police officers who used shock grenades against them. Several officers were lightly injured by stones. Some protesters were detained.
GAZA:
JORDAN: Jordanian authorities are cracking down. From AnsaMed:
The arrest by security forces of well over a dozen peaceful reform activists since September 7, 2012, signals the government's toughening stand toward demands for political reform in the kingdom", Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities should release all of those detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights to expression, association, and assembly, Human Rights Watch added.
The security services arrested activists in various parts of the country for peacefully protesting or calling for reform, in what appeared a concerted move by security and judicial authorities against opposition groups, said HRW in a statment. Those arrested include eight activists from the southern town of Tafila, two from Karak, and seven from Amman. All were charged under terrorism provisions, which place them under the purview of the military-dominated State Security Court, three lawyers for the activists told Human Rights Watch. All remain in detention.
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