Over a thousand protesters turned out onto the streets of Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan, to demonstrate against foreign NGOs (non-governmental organisations) which were being investigated for spreading Christianity in the country.
This is the third mass protest in just over a week since Afghan authorities suspended two Christian aid groups, the US-based Church World Service and Norwegian Church Aid, on suspicion of proselytising in the strictly Islamic nation.
During their hour-long march, demonstrators shouted slogans such as "Death to America! Long live Islam!" and carried banners and placards protesting against the foreign presence in the country.
The protesters, who were mostly college students, also burned a stuffed figure in western dress, reportedly an effigy of the Pope.
An estimated 200 police were on duty at the protest, which ended peacefully.
"We want those who have converted from Islam to be punished. We also want the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to ban all the churches that have been established and any organisation spreading Christianity here," said one protester, Zabiullah Khan.
An investigation commission, including officers from the National Security and Interior Ministries, has been appointed to investigate the activities of the suspended NGOs, according to Mohammad Hashim Mayar, who is deputy director of the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR).
"We are waiting for the results, impatiently, because if we do not know the final result, you know, the situation will get worse, and the security of the expatriate and national workers of the NGOs will be endangered, and also ... it will affect the activities of the NGOs," said Mayar.
Government officials said a follow-up investigation would aim to establish whether other groups were trying to convert Muslims.
Last week two similar protests broke out in the capital Kabul and the Western city of Herat.
Hundreds of students shouted death threats towards foreigners seeking to convert Muslims and burned a Norwegian flag.
The suspended NGOs have denied allegations.
Norwegian Church Aid Secretary-General Atle Sommerfeldt said in a statement that his organisation has a firm policy of not attempting "to convert people to another religion" in all countries where it operates.
Maurice Bloem, deputy director of programs for Church World Service, said in a statement his organisation does not proselytise, in accordance with the code of conduct for NGOs.
Proselytising is illegal in Afghanistan, as is the case in many Muslim countries.
APTN