Anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims rally in Lahore-India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

A Pakistani has died after inhaling smoke from burning US flags during a protest rally against the anti-Islam film, Innocence of Muslims. Abdullah Ismail died in Mayo hospital in Lahore after having complained of feeling unwell during the angry demonstrations, reports the Daily Mail. Around 10,000 people are estimated to have taken part in the protest organised by the group Tehreek Hurmat-i-Rasool. The film portrays Prophet Muhammad as a fraud, a womanizer and a child molester. Demonstrators chanted anti-U.S. slogans before setting light to an American flag outside the U.S. Consulate. A number of religious leaders addressed the rally, including banned jihadi outfit Jamatud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, who claimed that the film had been produced with the backing of the U.S. establishment. He said the director and others involved in the production of the film must be hanged. Saeed said the country's president Asif Ali Zardari must announce jihad against countries such as the U.S. who "support attacks on Islam". He also urged The Organisation of Islamic Countries Conference to boycott U.S. goods. Meanwhile other rallies against the controversial film, which sparked controversy after a trailer was posted on YouTube, took place across Pakistan . Pakistanis have also held many peaceful protests against the film, including one in the southwest town of Chaman , attended by around 3,000 students and teachers. Pakistan has subsequently blocked video sharing website- YouTube - as well as other content considered 'blasphemous' on the internet. American officials have criticized the film for intentionally offending Muslims.

Pakistani dies after inhaling fumes from burning US flag at anti-Islam film rally