January 4, 2003	Saturday	Shawwal 30, 1423

KARACHI, Jan 3: The American threat of war against Iraq, mounting intrusions by the FBI against Pakistanis inside Pakistan and the recent bombing of a Madressa by the American forces was bitterly criticized by leaders of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal at a rally here after Friday prayers.

The rally in Saddar was numerically small and the participants also desisted from burning the American flag or the effigy of President Bush or Uncle Sam, which had been the hallmark of such rallies in the past.

Some of the leaders, who led Juma prayers, also criticized the government for fostering American agenda against Iraq and in the region, in complete disregard of the people’s aspirations.

Speaking at Juma congregation at Masjid-i-Qassaban in Saddar, MMA Chairman Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani was critical of Washington’s anti-Muslim and anti- Islam policies on the pretext of mounting operation against international terrorism.

He was also critical of the government’s pro-American policies which, he said, were targeted against Muslims.

The MMA chief said armed with lethal weapons Washington was implementing its diabolical agenda against Muslims to grab their resources and to provide security to Israel, in the garb of the so-called war on terror.

“The American policy towards Afghanistan is naked aggression and revival of crusade against Muslims. All this has exposed Washington’s hollow claims of respect for human rights,” he added.

He warned that after Afghanistan the Americans were planning a similar or even more diabolical operation against Iraq following which action against Iran and Pakistan would only be a matter of time.

All this, he said, was being done not only to grab resources of the Muslim world but also to provide protection to Israel by removing obstacles in the way of its expansionist designs.

Expressing solidarity with the people and the government of Iraq, Maulana Noorani warned Washington of the fallout of its aggression against the Muslims.

He alleged that the present US administration was indulging in acts of terrorism against Muslims. He said American actions on the pretext of wiping out terrorism was proving to be counter-productive and subjective. He claimed that such policies would make jihadi organizations more strong.

He was highly critical of the American government’s stand that “it has the right to pursue Afghans inside Pakistan without even consulting or seeking Islamabad’s permission.”

The MMA chief said such a statement was a serious development and should be given serious consideration. He was of the view that Americans had become emboldened because “the regime surrendered Pakistan’s sovereignty when it supported Washington’s policies in Afghanistan.”

Speaking at a rally in front of Empress Market, Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, deputy chief of the Jamaat-i-Islami, also expressed similar views and termed the government’s policies against the interest and aspirations of the people of Pakistan.

He said the USA was a threat to world peace and human rights. In fact, he claimed, Washington had become a symbol of terrorism and trampling of human rights.

He called upon leaders of the Muslim world not to support American policies vis-a-vis Iraq and, instead, pay heed to the aspirations of the Muslims.

Prof Ghafoor said anti-American feelings were growing across the globe due to its policies which was manifested in the rallies held across the country. He said these rallies were not against the American people, but against the Bush administration.

Criticizing the American deployment against Iraq, he claimed its naval deployment was especially similar to the tactics adopted by pirates.

“The rulers of Pakistan, who have surrendered the country’s sovereignty and are busy in appeasing the Americans, should open their eyes after Washington has included Pakistan in the list of countries against whom it could strike any moment,” he said.

Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi claimed that the US had demanded facilities at Karachi for mounting air operations against Iraq from here.

“The people of Karachi and Pakistan would not allow the government to do so,” he said, adding: “The people are already suffering due to the surrender by regime to the USA since the Afghan operations.”

Allama Hassan Turabi said the people would resist to the hilt any attempt to convert Pakistan into a colony of the West and Israel. Hafiz Taqi asked the government to explain as to why “the Americans are trampling on Pakistan’s sovereignty and targeting Pakistanis in their own country on the pretext of alleged connection with the Al Qaeda.”

Maulana Abdul Karim and Dr Mairajul Huda expressed solidarity with the people of Iraq and warned that after Iraq, Washington would target Iran, Pakistan and Sudan.