Thousands of Malaysians and Indonesians stage protests

Thousands of protesters in Malaysia demonstrated on Friday outside the US embassy over US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, denouncing it as a "slap in the face" for Muslims worldwide.

Some 5,000 demonstrators marched on the Kuala Lumpur mission after the Friday prayers in a nearby mosque, chanting and waving banners that read "Hands off Jerusalem" and "Down USA President Trump".

The protesters in Kuala Lumpur were led by Khairy Jamaluddin, the sports minister and head of ruling party United Malays National Organisation's youth wing, who accused of Trump of having made "an illegal announcement".

"What you did is against international law - Muslims cannot accept your action," he said in a speech to the crowd during the hour-long protest.

Mohamad Rasul, a 51-year-old train driver taking part in the demonstration, described Trump's move as "a slap in the face for Muslims. 

In neighbouring Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, several hundred people demonstrated outside the US embassy in the capital Jakarta, carrying placards that said "No to Trump" and unfurling a large Palestinian flag.

Both Indonesia and Malaysia are staunch supporters of the Palestinian cause and solidarity protests are not uncommon.

via Reuters