CAPE TOWN, Jan 7 (AFP) - Over 500 supporters of South Africa's Muslim group Qibla Friday marched to the Russian consulate in Cape Town to protest the "monstrous and savage invasion" of Chechyna.
The placard-waving protestors, under the firm gaze of the police and army, continued to the U.S. embassy, girdled by razor wire in preparation for the annual march held on the last Friday in the holy month of Ramadan.
The marchers torched a Russian and a U.S. flag at the Russian consulate while condemning Russia's action in Chechnya.
"It is a shame on your government to launch a campaign of racist cleansing and aggression against a people who call for justice and peace," a memorandum handed to the consulate said.
Qibla also condemned the forced exodus of thousands of Muslims from their homes after Russian aggression in Chechnya.
It demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops and an immediate halt to all air strikes in Grozny.
At the U.S. embassy the protestors torched an Israeli flag.
Cape Town-based Qibla was launched in 1979 and works to act against injustices against Muslims and all oppressed people.
It is close to People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (PAGAD), suspected by police of being behind a serious of bomb attacks to rip through Cape Town in the past two years.
