An opposition party will organise a march to the Danish mission later this week in protest against the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.

The gathering, to be held after Friday prayers, will be the first mass demonstration in Malaysia since angry protests erupted in the Muslim world over the controversial cartoons.

"We appeal to all Muslims to participate in the protest. We demand that the government of Denmark and the newspapers offer an apology to Muslims," Ahmad Sabki Yusof, youth secretary of PAS, told AFP.

"Their action has hurt the feelings of Muslims."

Peaceful protest

Denmark has been the chief target of Muslim fury as a Danish newspaper first printed the 12 caricatures of Mohammed last September. The cartoons have since appeared in newspapers in several Western countries.

Ahmad Sabki said PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang would lead Friday's march of some 500 people from a nearby mosque.

"It will be a peaceful protest. We oppose any form of violence," he said, adding that the party would also submit a protest note to the Danish embassy.