Dozens protested Monday outside the French embassy in Baghdad after a pro-Iran faction called on Iraqis to slam French President Emmanuel Macron's defence of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.

A cleric at the rally, Aqil al-Kadhemi, demanded an "apology to all Muslims because the Prophet is a symbol of Islam and Muslims" and visual depictions of him are strictly forbidden in Islam.

"We are demonstrating to denounce and strongly disapprove" of Macron's comments, Kadhemi told AFP at the protest that was heavily guarded by police.

"We're surprised that a country such as France, supposedly the bastion of culture and respect for others, continually disrespects more than 1.5 billion Muslims."

Macron has drawn anger in parts of the Muslim world with his robust defence of the right to mock religion following the murder of a French schoolteacher who had shown his class cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

Rabaa Allah, a pro-Iran faction formed in recent months which urged Iraqis to show up at the embassy, said "we are ready anywhere and anytime to answer back to those who tarnish our beliefs".

Earlier this month, supporters of Hashed al-Shaabi -- an Iraqi paramilitary network dominated by Iran-backed factions -- burned down the main Kurdish party's headquarters in Baghdad after criticism from a Kurdish ex-minister.

Some of the men in the small demonstration Monday burned a French flag and posters of Macron.

Several families and children held up placards with red crosses plastered on Macron's face and others of him bearing a pig's face.

"We denounce Macron who had the audacity to dishonour our blessed Prophet," said Aliaa al-Khafaji, a 40-year-old woman.

Other protesters called for a boycott of French products, like those already underway in supermarkets in Qatar and Kuwait and demanded by some in Jordan and Turkey.

Several dozen protesters also rallied in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza for a second day in a row.

A banner outside the French cultural institute there was torn down and replaced by images of Macron's crossed-out face and a poster stating "Our Prophet will be victorious".

Related Links
Iraq: The first technology war of the 21st century

Tweet

NATO says will reinforce Iraq mission
Brussels (AFP) Oct 23, 2020
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday a meeting of western military alliance defence ministers had agreed to expand its training mission in Iraq to help Iraqi forces fight extremism. "While the security situation remains challenging, NATO remains committed to stepping up our support," said Stoltenberg after a two-day defence ministers' meeting in Brussels. "Our aim is to help build self-sustaining Iraqi forces able to fight terrorism, prevent the return of ISIS,and stabilise their ... read more