Two hundred Muslims rallied in the streets of Granada, southern Spain, on Wednesday in protest against a surge in anti-Islamic hate crimes following last week's deadly attacks in the country.
The protest was called after the city's main mosque was attacked with flares on Saturday by a handful of members from a far-right group, Hogar Social, who also unfurled a Spanish flag outside the building, according to images on Spanish TV.
Muslim groups have reported a jump in anti-Islamic hate incidents since the twin vehicle attacks in Barcelona and the nearby seaside resort of Cambrils that killed 15 people last week. Those attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group.
"It is very important for us to affirm our values as Muslims which are the same as those of all other human beings on this planet," said Nizar Liemlahi, director of the Dar Loughat Muslim cultural association, one of the co-organisers of the rally.
Only 0.1 percent of the world's Muslims commit attacks and these people "do not represent our values or our principles," added Liemlahi, a psychologist who moved to Spain from Morocco in 2010.
The protesters brandished banners with slogans such as "I am Muslim and I want to live in peace" and "We also are victims" as they gathered outside Granada city hall.
Mounir Benjelloun, head of the Spanish Federation of Islamic Religious Entities (FEERI), said the increase in anti-Islamic incidents since the attacks was "unbearable".
"Unfortunately, after what happened, there is an avalanche of cases. In my 25 years in Spain I have not seen anything like it."
Vandals have defaced mosques with racist graffiti and some people have posted videos on social media sites calling for the expulsion of all Muslims, he said.
About 1,000 Muslims marched in Barcelona on Monday against terrorism.
source:AFP
GMT 07:52 2018 Tuesday ,11 December
Future Brazil gov to 'dissociate' itself from UN migration compactGMT 14:53 2018 Sunday ,09 December
Damage from Yellow Vest protest 'catastrophic' after Paris riotsGMT 14:22 2018 Friday ,07 December
German top diplomat suggests sending OSCE observers to Azov SeaGMT 08:33 2018 Tuesday ,27 November
Ukrainian forces shell LPR territory seven times over last 24 hoursGMT 11:26 2018 Monday ,26 November
Mexico to send back migrants who tried to force their way to borderGMT 10:11 2018 Sunday ,25 November
EU leaders gather to approve Brexit divorce dealGMT 14:32 2018 Thursday ,22 November
Lavrov slams US politicians’ narrative against extending New START Treaty as dangerousGMT 19:48 2018 Monday ,29 October
Syrians in occupied Golan affirm rejection of holding Israeli local councils’ electionsMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor