Students demonstrate in front of German embassy to protest cartoons

IRNA - Members of the Islamic Associations' Union of Iranian universities on Thursday held a demonstration in front of the German embassy in Tehran protesting the publication of cartoons blaspheming Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in several European newspapers and Berlin's position on Iran's nuclear activities.

The protesters also condemned the cartoon published by the German weekly Spiegel news magazine ridiculing the Iranian national football team.

Demonstrators carried banners which said "Down to the so-called supporters of democracy and freedom of expression: US, Britain, Germany and France," "The sacrilege committed on the divine religions is condemned by all freedom lovers," "Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), messenger of peace and freedom," "We condemn scientific apartheid," "Nuclear energy, the legitimate right of Iranians," etc.

Police enforced tight security measures around the embassy to protect in anticipation of any possible attack. Several domestic and foreign journalists and cameramen were on the scene to cover the protest.

In a related development, a group of university and seminary students gathered in front of the German embassy in Tehran on Tuesday evening to express their outrage over the western press' disrespect for Islamic sentiments.

This week the German daily Die Welt reprinted the blasphemous cartoons which triggered today's demonstration in front of the German embassy and the protest filed by the Islamic Republic of Iran with the government in Berlin.