MORE than 5,000 Muslims in Hounslow have signed a petition calling for action over the anti-Islam film which sparked riots in Asia and the Middle East.

Muslim leaders from across the borough gathered at Hounslow Mosque last Friday (October 12) to present the petition to local MPs Mary Macleod and Seema Malhotra.

It calls on the British and American governments to take a 'firm stance' and consider introducing laws banning any future attempts to 'slander' the Prophet Muhammad.

Speaking at last Friday's meeting, Imam Ifitikhar Daad Al Azhari, head imam at the mosque, in Wellington Road South, Hounslow, described the film as an insult to the 35,000 Muslims living in Hounslow and 1.5 billion across the world.

"This film was deliberately provocative and made with the intent of causing hurt to Muslims across the world," he said.

"When there's an attack based on someone's colour it's called racism and when there's an attack based on someone's gender it's called sexism, but when our Prophet Muhammad's attacked it's called freedom of speech. It's not freedom of speech, it's Islamophobia."

The Innocence of Muslims, a 14-minute film trailer for which was published on YouTube in July, appears to portray Islam as a hate-fuelled religion and make fun of its Prophet Muhammad.

It sparked violent protests across Asia, North Africa and the Middle East, which left dozens of people dead.

Access to the trailer has been banned in several countries, including India and Saudi Arabia, but it is still available to view in the UK and US.

Nisar Sheikh, of Ashford and Staines Community Centre, claimed attacks on Islam had been 'acceptable and the norm' but condemned the violent protests in other parts of the world.

"These (violent) acts are completely forbidden in Islam and do not represent anything the majority of Muslims believe in and understand," he said.

He also called for a debate about where to draw the line between freedom of speech and the 'freedom to offend'.

"It's time we consider criminalising anyone who deliberately denigrates people of another faith," he said.

Khawaja Mahmood, president of the Medina Islamic Mission, said: "We request the UK parliament amends the constitution to say freedom of speech can't be used as an excuse to insult religions. We ask that this ridiculous film is removed."

Seema Malhotra, MP for Feltham & Heston, and Brentford & Isleworth MP Mary Macleod both said a proper debate about the issue was needed in parliament.

Hounslow Council leader Jagdish Sharma said the film's makers must be 'strongly dealt with'.