As the jihadist organisation Islamic State continues to wreak havoc in Iraq and Syria, thousands of Danes are expected to take part in a demonstration against IS this Saturday, September 13, in Nørrebro.
The initiative – entitled ‘Vi siger NEJ til (U)Islamisk stat!’ (‘We say NO to an (un)Islamic state’) – is being organised via Facebook by two Danish Muslims, Tarek Ziad Hussein and Zubair Butt Hussain.
“Due to the recent developments in Syria and Iraq, we have found it necessary to voice our opinion about the terrorist group IS and its despicable actions that have influenced certain youth circles here at home,” the organisers wrote in a press release.
READ MORE: Head of humanitarian organisation arrested for IS support
Heading up Nørrebrogade
The Muslims interest organisation Muslimernes Fællesråd – which represents around 35,000 Muslims – has backed the demonstration, which starts at 18:00 at Den Sorte Plads (The Black Square) at Mimersgade 98, just behind the Nørrebro sports hall, and will continue up Nørrebrogade and end at Dronning Louises Bridge.
The organisers aim to gather all Danes regardless of ethnicity, religion and political beliefs because the “condemnation of these gruesome actions rests on a moral foundation that springs from all humanity”.
READ MORE: Mosque in Jutland expresses support for IS
Following in the footsteps of Norway
The initiative has been well received by the Danish Muslim community, which the organisers say is frustrated because they believe IS is abusing Islam and holding it hostage for their own needs.
They argue that it is about time that Muslims in Denmark voiced their collective opinion. Muslims in Norway and France have already demonstrated against IS, while leading British imams have issued a fatwa against IS.
