Cartoons still causing controversy

Protests over the cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed have continued throughout the Muslim world. Joel Netshitenzhe, head of media and government communications (GCIS), said government acknowledged the hurt that the act had caused to Muslims in South Africa and around the world.

A planned protest march to the Danish emabassy in Cape Town is expected today while another is scheduled in Pretoria tomorrow.

Meanwhile, in Jakarta, Indonesia which is home to the biggest Muslim population, students gathered outside the Danish embassy to protest. Indonesian government officials and religious leaders urged calm after Denmark told its citizens to leave for their own safety.

Danish flags stamped upon
In Baquba, Iraq, Danish flags were stamped upon and burned during a large protest march. In Afghanistan, police in Qalat fired shots in the air to disperse about 600 protesters after they hurled stones at police and set alight a police vehicle.

In Bosnia a large protest march gathered outside the Norwegian Embassy, where flags were torched. The crowd then moved on to stage a noisy protest outside the Danish embassy. The 12 cartoonists whose work touched off the controversy are reported to be in hiding and under police guard. - Additional reporting by Reuters