MUSLIMS PROTEST IN NAIROBI OVER CARTOONS OF THE

UNCLAS NAIROBI 000635

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINS ASEC SCUL KISL KE
SUBJECT: MUSLIMS PROTEST IN NAIROBI OVER CARTOONS OF THE
PROPHET



1. (SBU) A group of approximately 2,000 Muslim protestors
held what began as a peaceful march in Nairobi February 10 to
condemn the cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed initially
published in a Danish newspaper. The procession began
immediately after the Friday prayers at downtown's Jamia
Mosque and was led by its Imam, Mohamed Swalihu. Other
Muslims, organized by the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims
(SUPKEM),joined in from the other large city mosque at the
Sir Ali Muslim Club. The protestors marched though several
streets in the city center and presented a protest memorandum
to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs calling for the closure of
the Danish Embassy. A sub-set of between 300 and 400
protestors attempted to proceed to the Danish Embassy, which
was closed for the day, but were stopped by anti-riot police.
(NOTE: There are two USAID project offices next to the Danish
Embassy which were closed on that day as a precaution. END
NOTE.) One youth was shot and injured in the leg by
anti-riot police, although a police spokesman subsequently
denied that police had used live ammunition. In the wake of
this reported shooting and police use of excessive force, the
demonstrators commandeered two vehicles, at least one
reportedly to ferry wounded to the hospital. One of the
vehicles overturned, killing one protestor and injuring an
unknown number of others.


2. (SBU) An additional protest took place in Mombasa on
February 11. In remarks at this event, Chief Kadhi Hammad
Kassim, Mvita MP Najib Balala and Mombasa Mayor Taib Ali Taib
said Muslims were worried about a possible repeat of such
caricatures and would continue with protests as they saw
necessary. They added that they were not satisfied with
apologies from Danish authorities.

BELLAMY