Don't bring riots here, Victorian Muslim leaders plead

Hundreds clash at Islam film protest Police attempt to control protesters in.

Police have used pepper spray on protesters after a demonstration against an anti-Islam video turned violent in Sydney's CBD.

VICTORIAN Muslim leaders were calling for peace last night and imploring followers not to let ugly violence spread south.

The Islamic Council of Victoria slammed the Sydney unrest, in which riot police clashed with protesters, as "abhorrent".

"The ICV is appalled by the riots in Sydney," spokeswoman Shereen Hassan said.

"While it is abhorrent that individuals should disrespect Prophet Mohammed, it is even more abhorrent that Muslims should defile his peaceful teachings by acting in such a vile manner.

"Inflammatory films or provocative actions such as burning the Koran are ... activities by bigots who are the fringe of society. They do not represent the feelings of (most) ... non-Muslims towards Muslims.

"These people are best ignored or their offensive and inaccurate ideas countered by rational and factual ones expressed in a peaceful manner, as encouraged by our religion."

Noble Park imam Ibrahim Omerdic said protests should have been peaceful.

"It's against society and probably against the law to (do that) on the street," he said.  "Peaceful protest, but not violence."

But he said Muslims had a right to be offended by the 13-minute YouTube film, The Innocence of Muslims, and voice their anger.

"In front of the embassy, that is fine, the film was made in America, not in Australia. Whether it's Muslim, Jewish, Christian - all prophets are to be respected."

Imam Omerdic said no one at his mosque had mentioned plans for protests in Melbourne. The mosque was once shared by the head of al-Furqan, an organisation at the centre of the terror raids.

The clip has sparked anger for portraying the Prophet Mohammed as a barbaric sexual deviant.

A trailer of the film has been viewed more than four million times. Violence began after a two-minute portion of the movie was shown on Egyptian TV.

A Facebook group linked to protests against insults to Mohammed said more could be held next Sunday.

Victoria Police said there was no indication that there would be similar protests in Melbourne.