worshippers

But many worshippers are now a lot more paranoid - putting these idols in iron cages to protect them from going missing.

A February attack on church worshippers in the north-eastern village of Essakane left 12 dead.

Imam Ibrahim Hussein said inside the mosque, he, three worshippers and some men who said they had been sent by the Home Office to act as security for the mosque, had all armed themselves with metal poles in case they were attacked.

He said worshippers were still following in those footsteps by being involved in the "ridding of ignorance and bringing people together".

A counter-demonstration drew a several hundred more people and, once the situation had calmed, mosque volunteer Adam Kelwick and other worshippers crossed over in an attempt to speak to those present.