KARACHI, March 9: Sunni Tehreek on Sunday took out ‘Down with America rally’ to condemn the imminent US aggression against Iraq and express solidarity with Muslim brethren of Iraq. The rally started from Markaz Ahle Sunnat, Baba-i-Urdu Road, which culminated at Fresco Chowk, Burns Road, after marching through the streets.

The ST leaders, Muhammad Abbas Quaderi, Iftikhar Ahmad Bhatti, Muhammad Akram Quaderi, Sarwat Ejaz, Abdul Rehman, Dr Abdul Qadeer and Ulema-i-Ahle Sunnat leader, Maulana Abdul Karim Naqshbandi, led the procession.

The participants were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans ‘Down with the US’, ‘US stop terrorism against Islamic world’, ‘Hate war’ and ‘love peace’, etc. They urged the OIC to raise voice against oppression of Muslims and also the Pakistani rulers not to become ‘spokesman’ for the US. They declared that US designs to annex the Islamic world would not be tolerated. They warned the Washington to refrain from usurping Arab states’ resources.

The protesters burnt effigies of George Bush and Tony Blair at different places along the route of the procession.

Addressing the protesters, Abbas Quaderi said that the Islamic world was passing through a crucial phase as infidels had jointly hatched a conspiracy to wipe out Islam and attack on Iraq was part of this conspiracy.

He declared that their dream of occupying Iraq would never come true.