In a recent protest in Zarqa, Jordan in an anti-government protest.
Hundreds of Salafi Muslims clashed with pro-king loyalists. People were beat with fists and clubs along with using stones to throw at each other. This left many people wounded and bloody. The violence started when a crowd of Salafis rallied in front of a town mosque while listening to speeches by Salafi leaders. When a government loyalist marched around with a portrait of the a king, the Salfis started to push him back. He was then beaten and fell to the ground. After that, other Salafis ran to get clubs and cables from their cars to attack the other group. Police eventually stepped in and encouraged the pro-king loyalists to move away from the mosque.
According to a Huffington Post article, the Slafie movement is "an ultra-conservative version of Islam with an ideology similar to al-Qaida's." It is banned in Jordan but has grown in recent years. The demonstrators in Jordan have been pushing for a "series of reforms to loosen the control of the king over the government." This would include popular elections for prime minister (who is now appointed by the king).
AP Photo -- A Salafi protester holds a sword during a demonstration
for extremist Salafi Muslims in the town of Zarqa, Jordan....
A protester holds a stone during a demonstration for extremist Salafi Muslims in Zarqa, Jordan.
Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/15/jordan-protests_n_849647.html
http://www.heraldonline.com/2011/04/15/2991609/dozens-wounded-as-protesters-clash.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-04-15-jordan-protests.htm
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