Nov. 26 Photo Brief: A Capitol Christmas tree, Mahatma Gandhi impersonator, Onion Johnnies, DR Congo conflict

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Santa visits the Capitol Christmas tree, a Mahatma Gandhi impersonator in India, Queen Elizabeth II checks out weapons, DR Congo conflict continues and more in today’s daily brief.

Man behind anti-Islam film that stoked riots has no regrets: New York Times
Peter Rudegeair | Reuters
2:01 p.m. EST, November 26, 2012

(Reuters) – The Egyptian-born Coptic Christian who made the anti-Islam film that sparked protests across the Muslim world has no regrets about his insulting portrayal of the Prophet Mohammad, according to an interview with the New York Times.

In his first public comments since the 14-minute trailer for his film, “Innocence of Muslims,” gained notoriety in September, Mark Basseley Youssef told the newspaper he wanted to reveal what he called “the actual truth” about Mohammad and raise awareness of the violence committed “under the sign of Allah.”

The film portrayed Mohammad as a womanizer, ruthless killer and child molester. The film touched off a torrent of anti-American unrest in Arab and Muslim countries. For many Muslims, any depiction of the prophet is considered blasphemous.

In explaining his reasons for the film, he cited “atrocities” by Muslims. After a Muslim gunman killed 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas in 2009, “I became even more upset and enraged,” he said in written comments conveyed to the Times through his attorney. A Times request to interview him in person was blocked by prison authorities.

“I thought, before I wrote this script that I should burn myself in a public square to let the American people and the people of the world know this message that I believe in,” said Youssef.

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