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Thai Muslims Demonstrate Over Muhammad Cartoon in Danish Newspapers


Hundreds of Thai Muslims have protested outside Denmark's embassy in Bangkok against a decision by Danish newspapers to reprint a cartoon perceived by many as insulting to Islam.

At least 400 people participated in the protest Wednesday, which lasted about two hours. Protesters criticized the Danish government for not keeping its media from reprinting the cartoon of Prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban, and called for a boycott of Danish products.

The cartoon was among 12 drawings that ignited angry riots throughout the Muslim world when a Danish paper first published them in 2005. Islamic law generally opposes any depiction of the prophet.

Several newspapers reprinted the Mohammed cartoon last month after Danish police said they uncovered a plot to kill the cartoonist. The papers said the reprint was meant to promote freedom of speech.

People in several Muslim countries staged renewed demonstrations after the cartoon was reprinted, but this was the first major protest by Thai Muslims against the illustration.

Muslims are a minority in predominantly Buddhist Thailand.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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