About 10,000 people gathered in front of the Danish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur today to protest against the demeaning caricatures of Prophet Mohammad published in a daily there last year.

Traffic came to a standstill as the huge crowd marched in the rain from the Kampung Baru mosque to Wisma Denmark in Jalan Ampang.

The crowd, led by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang ( photo:left ), reached the embassy gates at about 2.30pm.

They chanted fiery slogans such as ' Hancur Denmark ' (Destroy Denmark) and ' Mati Denmark ' (Death to Denmark) for nearly an hour.

Apart from this, the protestors also displayed banners, one of which, called for a boycott of Danish goods. Some were even seen carrying photographs of the late Iranian Islamic revolutionary icon and president Ayatollah Khomeini.

Later, Hadi along with his deputy Nasharudin Mat Isa and party secretary-general Kamaruddin Jaffar entered the embassy premises and held a discussion with Danish ambassador Brge Petersen.

"Our conversation with Petersen was cordial, although he was initially reluctant to admit us into his embassy [...] While promising to deliver our message to his government, he insisted that the caricatures were published in the context of the domestic situation (in Denmark). Of course we did not accept that," said Kamaruddin when met later.

'Die for religion'

He said Hadi insisted that the Danish government issues an apology over the incident, adding that Petersen promised to personally address the grouses brought up in the memorandum.

Several PAS leaders who addressed the crowd in front of the embassy warned that demonstrations far larger than these would be held nation wide should the Danish government "fail to resolve the matter".

"PAS leaders are willing to die to defend our religion," said Youth leader Salahuddin Ayub to a thunderous applause and chants of 'Allahuakbar'.

"We are warning all parties never to repeat this insolence again.

"Even though the publication (of the offending caricatures) was done under the pretext of press freedom, there should be limitations to avoid insulting other religions," he added.

PAS vice-president Muhammad Sabu announced to the crowd that the party would also protest any acts deemed insulting to other religions.

The crowd dispersed peacefully at about 3.30pm.

Let's dialogue

Speaking to reporters later, embassy representative Steen Hommel (mugshot) said the Danish government and its citizens should not be made scapegoats due to the issue.

"Danish citizens, the government and businesses are not part of the issue [...] People should not pass blanket judgement on the Danish, but they should focus their attention to the players responsible for the issue," he added.

He said that any further misunderstanding between Muslim countries and Denmark would not help to resolve the issue and called for dialogues instead.

When met, Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Kamal Pasha Jamal said there were no untoward incidents reported.