FATEHJANG, Sept 21: The Minister of State for Defence, Sardar Saleem Haider, set on fire an effigy of President Obama at the town’s main roundabout in protest against the anti-Islam film on Friday.

Thousands of people, including political and religious leaders, turned up at a procession taken out to observe the “day of love for the Prophet” (peace be upon him).

All markets, hotels, public transport and offices remained closed.

Speaking outside the press club, the minister said: “We can sacrifice our lives for the honour of the Prophet (PBUH)”.

He said Muslims respected all the prophets but some “evil Christians” created problems again and again to injure their feelings.

Religious leader Allama Inayatullah al-Azhari said the US government should take legal action against the makers of the film.

The protesters raised slogans against the US.