Hundreds of Muslims have held rallies to show that the deadly terrorist attacks being carried out in various parts of the world are not connected to Islamism
A man holds a placard at the rally
Hundreds of Muslims rallied in Rome and Milan on Saturday to show solidarity with the victims of jihadist attacks, condemning violence in the name of religion and chanting “we are not the enemy”.
AFP reports that Abdellah Redouane, head of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Rome, who spoke at the demonstration in the capital, said: “The message is clear, terrorism cannot continue to attack everywhere in the name of Muslims. We want the whole world to listen.”
A young girl at the rally
“The Koran is against violence”, “Islam is peace” and “Solidarity with Paris victims” read banners held up by members of the Muslim community, who gathered in the rain in a square in central Rome under a heavy police guard.
The rally, under the slogan “Not in my name”, began with a minute’s silence for the victims of the attacks on Parisian nightspots last week which left 130 people dead.
In Milan, where security has been ramped up following fears of an attack on landmarks like the famous Scala opera house, people chanted “No to ISIS”, referring to the Islamic State group which claimed the France attacks.