It has been pointed out that there are biblical prohibitions on murder, theft and many other matters that do not arouse the same public displays of strong feelings. Of course, in the eyes of some, flaunting forbidden matters in a parade might be seen to bring shame upon the holy city.
Indeed some people we have spoken to, say they would rather not see the parade here. Others think there are more serious issues that should incite strong feelings - government corruption, child poverty, and the very divisions between factions that require the presence of 7,000 policemen in order to maintain order.
Whatever the feelings, 7,000 policeman were drafted in to keep the opposing groups apart. For the time we were there, both sides were peaceful in the main, with one or two distasteful exceptions.
The news reported that there were very few incidents of any kind on the day.
The roads were blocked by the police and almost no traffic could enter the city centre
For many in the army and the police it was a relaxing time - but then, the army has made a national badge of honour out of being relaxed
On one side of the barrier soldiers stood guard and on the other side of the barrier, those in the parade enjoyed themselves
The rainbow banner
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A man looks on thoughtfully from a respectful distance
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