Protests against US anti-Islam film reach Scottish Parliament

Around 100 Muslims have demonstrated outside Holyrood calling for a ban on offensive material such as the anti-Islam film which has sparked protests around the world.

• US film has sparked worldwide protests

• Holyrood protesters call for tighter media regulation

Demonstrators waved banners reading “No religion is allowed to insult any other religion” and “We demand international law to stop religious hatred”.

The amateur film Innocence of Muslims, made in the US, has sparked international unrest which has claimed lives including that of the US ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens.

Protest spokesman Akeel Umar said the demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament was peaceful, and likened those involved in violence elsewhere to football fans who get carried away on match day. Police removed a bystander who shouted at the protesters: “Twenty thousand terrorist attacks since 2001. How do you justify that?”

Mr Umar said the protesters came from a range of local Islamic organisations. “We want to raise our concerns with the Scottish Parliament so that some necessary changes can be made with reference to Ofcom and the regulators to stop promotion of any hateful media clips,” he added. “Perhaps the laws need to be looked at and reassessed.”

He said Muslims in Edinburgh were “more hurt than angry” about the film. “The video itself was made by a director who conned some of the actors,” he said. “The purpose of this video does not appear to be positively motivated.”