A bleeding right-wing activist outside Sunday's Halal festival. Credit:Robert Frantzeskos The brawl continued for about two minutes before about five police officers on horseback quelled the fight. Fairfax Media saw two far-left activists detained, but Victoria Police said no one was arrested. "A group was protesting outside the Showgrounds when a second group moved through them about 12.30pm," a police spokesman said. "Police intervened and the second group dispersed, while the first group continued with their protest.

Police attempt to calm clashing protesters outside the Halal festival in Ascot Vale. Credit:Robert Frantzeskos "One man in the first group was transported to hospital with a facial injury." The right-wing activists wore t-shirts that read "Rapefugees … not welcome, stay away" and waved placards reading "Muslim terrorists not welcome here". Protesters - including one dressed as a sheik - clash outside the Halal festival in Ascot Vale. Credit:Robert Frantzeskos Two female protesters holding placards wore black burqas.

Arguments broke out between the protesters and Muslim passersby, who were attending the festival. Protesters clash outside a Halal festival in Ascot Vale. Credit:Robert Frantzeskos One passerby, Nisa Oner, asked one of the protesters: "As an Australian Muslim, where would you like me to go? I was born here too ... I want to know what is the main cause in your heart that makes you feel so against this [Islam]?" The protester pointed to a placard that read, "The Truth About Islam: intolerance, slaughter, looting, arson and molestation of women". She said other religions, unlike Islam, had "evolved".

The rally was pitched as an animal cruelty rally, targeting what protesters described as "brutal" slaughtering of animals under Halal laws. Organiser of the protest Party for Freedom chairman Nick Folkes, said "Islamic immigration" was "not acceptable". "We're here today because we don't want Halal in Australia. It's a different sort of lifestyle, we don't want Sharia law and are completely opposed to barbaric slaughter. It should be outlawed in Australia. "I don't see any human rights or animal rights within the Islamic religion and we're not happy with the government policy, the denial, the political correctness saying there's not a problem. Mr Folkes said he was also opposed to Asian and African immigration and said multiculturalism could see Australia "lose its culture".

"We have a right to protect our identity and our culture … Muslims have a program of building mosques and promoting their religion, I don't find I can find any common ground with them. I don't want to live in a country that is becoming increasingly Islamic." Ms Oner, a 20-year-old youth worker, said she was left rattled after the protest. "It went straight to the heart and affected me because I feel so saddened that we live in this beautiful country and that in today's society … it seems like its harder than ever for us to just get along and accept each other. Members of the left-wing group did not talk to Fairfax Media. Halal Expo director Syed Atiq ul Hassan denied that violence occurred at the festival.

"This is a family event," he said. "No fighting. No assault. Everything is going very well." "This is a family event." He said he had heard there was a small group of protesters outside the event. "If something happened on the road somewhere, I don't know. It's never happened in this event."

With Allison Worrall and Steve Lillebuen Do you know more? Email to scoop@theage.com.au