Clashes at Denmark anti-Islam rally

In the Danish town of Aarhus a battle of ideals spurred by Mohamed Merah's recent killing spree in France - turned violent Saturday.

Two-hundred far-right protesters from countries including Britain, Germany and Poland gathered for three hours in a park in the city centre.

They claimed Merah was radicalized during a 10-month prison term, and that he took his orders from the Quran.

The protest was organized by the English Defense League. According to their page on social media site Facebook, this was a "counter-jihad meeting" aimed to be a public discussion of "Sharia law, halal, immigration and the continuing Islamification of Europe."

Tommy Robinson is co-founder and spokesman for the English Defense League. He says Islam is threatening the western way of life. That is why groups like his are gaining ground.

Around 4,000 people turned out for a rival march through the city to demand respect for democracy and tolerance of foreigners.

Scuffles between the counter-demonstrators and the security forces resulted in a number of arrests.

Sarah Wali, Reuters