Bangladeshis strike over anti-Islam film

Police are among the few people on the normally bustling streets of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.

That's because a dozen Islamist parties called for a general strike on Sunday to protest the now infamous film about the Prophet Mohammad.

Drivers stayed off the roads and shops drew their shutters as part of the strike.

Officials have banned large-scale protests - attempting to ward off the violence the film has sparked in other parts of the world.

Still, small groups of Muslims gathered to denounce the crackdown on demonstrations.

"It is very sad that the police are stopping us," said this community leader.

Officials have not said when the ban on protests will end.