SOUTH WALES EVENING POST: MUSLIMS clashed outside a Swansea mosque over a demonstration against Koran burning.
Worshippers at the mosque accused the demonstrators, who came from outside the city, of being hot-headed publicity seekers who came to Swansea to cause trouble.
But the 20 or so demonstrators — a group called the Ummah of Muhammad — said it was wrong for Muslims to keep silent about any violation of their holy book, and unfurled banners urging Muslims to rise up against "the crusaders".
There were heated arguments outside the St Helen's Road mosque before police boxed the marchers in front of the nearby Rowlands Exchange and Mart store.
One of the protesters, Abu Abdul-Malik, of Cardiff, said the demonstration was about the burning of the Koran in America last month, and a similar alleged incident in Swansea.
BNP Assembly candidate Sion Owens, of Caerphilly Avenue, Bonymaen, Swansea, was charged with a public order offence earlier this month in connection with the incident. The case was subsequently dropped in Swansea Magistrates Court, but the prosecution said inquiries would continue.
Mr Abdul-Malik, 27, said: "We should not remain silent when the Koran is being desecrated. » | Richard Youle | Saturday, April 23, 2011
