Thursday, Sep 13, 2012
AMMAN (AFP)--Jordan on Thursday sharply condemned a movie mocking Islam and the Prophet Mohammed, and urged the U.S. to hold to account "the criminals" behind the film.
"The people and government of the United State should punish the criminals who produced, supported and promoted such a crime," Islamic Affairs and Awqaf Minister Abdul Salam Abbadi said in a statement.
The low-budget movie "Innocence of Muslims," in which actors have strong American accents, portrays Muslims as immoral and gratuitously violent. It portrays the Prophet Mohammed and touches on themes of pedophilia and homosexuality, while showing him sleeping with women, talking about killing children and referring to a donkey as "the first Muslim animal."
"The movie has insulted Islam as well as 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide," the lower house of parliament said in a separate statement.
The Muslim Brotherhood and its political arm, Islamic Action Front, urged Muslim governments "to stand firm against this racist attack and boycott U.S. and Israeli products," calling for "peaceful demonstrations."
Salafist jihadists said they plan to demonstrate after Friday midday prayers outside the U.S. embassy in Amman to condemn the movie.
The embassy has said that as a "precautionary measure," it has "increased its security presence at our facilities."
"US citizens should avoid areas where demonstrations are ongoing," it added on its website.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
13-09-12 1430GMT
