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.
"How dare Muslims be quiet about it? Whenever we remain silent we are pushed over and attacked.
"It is an act of worship to come out and fight this evil."
But the group's attempt to distribute leaflets and incite the growing crowd was rebuffed by Swansea Muslims.
Farid Ali, secretary of the Swansea mosque's management committee, said: "We think they are looking for publicity and we don't want to give them that. They are hot-headed. It makes people angry and upset. Whatever they are saying, it is their views.
"We have fantastic community relations here. We don't want that to be jeopardised."
As the demonstrators headed towards the Guildhall they chanted "BNP burn in hell," and raised banners saying "The Koran Will Destroy Man-made Law" and "Islam Will Dominate the World".
Onlooker Nurul Islam, who has family in Swansea, branded their utterings as "nonsense".
"The people are not with them," he said. "They should invite people to Islam peacefully. You cannot force Sharia (law)."
Another man said: "They have come here to cause problems."
Mr Ali, of Swansea mosque, said there were up to 1,000 people at Friday prayers, more than usual.
Worshippers were urged not to follow the demonstrators."
"Everybody go home and drink some tea — it's a beautiful day," said one man.
richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk
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