20,000 expected at rally

As many as 20,000 Muslims are expected to protest tomorrow in Central against the cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed published by newspapers in some western countries, rally organisers say.

The protest will begin in Chater Garden at noon.

A spokesman for the Islamic Federation, Khan Muhammad Malik, said it would be a peaceful assembly. 'There will be prayers and readings of Islamic poetry,' he said.

The rally was planned for Victoria Park but the venue had to be changed because of preparations there for next month's flower show.

It will be the second protest against the cartoons by Muslims in Hong Kong. A march last week by 2,000 Muslims went off peacefully.