BRUSSELS, February 19, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) – Islamic musical troupes found the best way to respond to the Danish cartoons that lampooned Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is through playing their melodic songs on the merits of the noble prophet in the fifth European festival of religious songs hosted by the Belgian capital city of Brussels.

"The festival sends a message of fraternity and highlights calls by Muslims living in the West for a constructive dialogue," Omar Samdi, an organizer of the festival, told IslamOnline.net Sunday, February 19.

Musical troupes from Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Arab countries took part in the one-day event.

The festival, organized by the Belgian European organization for arts and culture, drew heavy turnout from both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

"Many non-Muslims also showed up in the festival," Samdi said.

The Muslim activist said the event was held at a time when Muslims and their faith were coming under a ferocious campaign in the West.

"The songs stress the importance of spreading love and peace to the world away from the violent protests that saw the burning of flags and embassies," he added, referring to the attacks on the Danish consulate in Lebanon and the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Damascus.

At least 15 Nigerians and 10 Libyans were killed in protests against the 12 drawings, which were first published by Denmark's mass circulation daily Jyllands-Posten in September.

Muslim leaders from all over the world condemned in unison the violence and urged Muslims to protest peacefully against the cartoons.

The one-day event drew a heavy turnout from both Muslim and non-Muslims.

"Muhammad…the mercy for mankind" sung by the French troupe Exodus took the audience's breath away.

"We dedicate our song to the Prophet; the dearest to our hearts," the troupe's vocalist told the audience.

"It is really a small token to defend him against the notorious cartoons."

The song goes: "Muhammad is the guiding light of the mankind/Muhammad is the love who teaches Shari`ah and hope/Truly, Muhammad is the mercy for mankind."

Exodus comprises French Muslims from the second and third generations, who hail from the central city of Lyon.

Abdul Hamid Al-Eidi of the Dutch Al-Rayan troupe said this year's festival gives undivided attention to the prophet.

"Unlike previous rounds when burning Muslim issues like Palestine and Iraq featured high on the musical note, this year's festival was dedicated to the Prophet," he told IOL.

Leaflets on the life of Muhammad in French and Dutch as well as badges printed with the Prophet's name were distributed among the audience and passers-by outside the hall.

The festival also saw participation of an Islamic rap group, whose songs tackled pressing Muslim issues in the West like hijab.

Songs highlighting the sufferings of the Iraqis under the US occupation of their country were also performed by the Iraqi Al-Nada troupe.

The publication of the anti-Prophet cartoons have prompted Muslim minorities in many Western countries to champion local campaigns to raise awareness of the merits and characteristics of the Prophet.

IslamOnline.net decided earlier in February to launch a multi-lingual Web site to acquaint non-Muslims with the prophet.