UK: Thousands of Muslims protest against ISIS and terrorism in London

The British newspaper The Independent reported that more than 10 000 Muslims marched on Sunday, 1 October through London protesting against the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) and terrorism. The peaceful assembly on the Muslim holiday of Ashura commemorated the victims of the ISIS terrorist organization.

People of all ages marched from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square holding banners and signs calling terrorists the “enemies of Allah and humanity”, as well as signs reading “ISIS is neither Islamic nor a state” and “Islam Means Peace”. Mike Haines, whose brother was murdered by ISIS, addressed the demonstration.

“It is important for us to respond with positivity against those who disseminate hatred. I remember my brother every day,” Haines said.

“He knew the risk he was taking as a humanitarian worker. He and our family accepted that risk because he was doing important work, aiding those around him irrespective of their faith, race, religion or skin color,” Haines said.

Ashura is a Muslim religious holiday celebrated by most Shiites to commemorate the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680  CE. As part of an unrelated tradition, some Sunni Muslims fast on that same day, according to Wikipedia.