Australian Muslims clash with police

Many people were injured when hundreds of Muslims clashed with police during a gathering to protest against a controversial film about Prophet Mohammad, Xinhua said.

Police deployed dogs and capsicum spray to disperse the crowd when the demonstrations turned violent.

At least one injured protester was seen taken away by an ambulance even as he shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is great).

Local media said men, women and children of all ages took part in the protest.

Xinhua said the protest might have been sparked by a mass text message that said: “We must defend the honour of our Prophet, we must act now.”

An anti-American wave has swept across the Middle East and North Africa in the past few days over the film that allegedly insults Islam.