March 14, 2003	Friday	Muharram 10, 1424

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MUZAFFARABAD, March 13: Activists of various religious parties staged a peaceful demonstration on Thursday to condemn the possible US attack on Iraq and express solidarity with the Iraqi people.

The activists brought out a procession, organized by the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Azad Kashmir, from a mosque near the district courts and marched up to the Bank Road, where a public meeting was held.

The participants, who also included students of some Madaris, were holding placards and banners which were with slogans condemning the aggressive designs of the US against Iraq.

“The humanity faces severe threat from barbarism and Americanism of Mr Bush”, read a banner, which the participants in the front row were carrying. “We are with the people of Iraq”, read one placard while another said “No Blood for Oil”.

At the Bank Road leaders of the parties, including Mahmoodul Hassan Ashraf and Qari Abdul Malik of JUI, Sheikh Aqeelur Rehman of Jamaat-i-Islami, Mufti Kifayat Naqvi of Tehreek-i-Jafria, delivered speeches wherein they accused the US president of “planning massacre of the innocent people for vested interests”.

The speakers also asked the Pakistan government not to endorse American stand on Iraq and instead lead the Islamic world and unite the Ummah.

The leaders said that Pakistan should play a leading role in forging unity among the Muslims to thwart the designs of Mr Bush, Tony Blair and Arial Sharon.

A resolution passed by the participants welcomed the efforts by France, Germany, Russia and China to stop the possible attack, and urged the UN Security Council not to allow the US to impose war on Iraq in defiance of the international public opinion. “The international community should take collective measures to rid the world of America’s anti humanity policies.”

The resolution also asked the government of Pakistan to shun “ambiguity” and reflect the sentiments of the people by adopting a categorical stand on Iraq crisis.

Through another resolution the participants endorsed the decisions and policies of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal to safeguard the Islamic identity of Pakistan and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution in the country.

Some of the participants were also holding the effigies of US president and British premier, which they laid on the ground, beat them with sticks and later set them ablaze amid vociferous chants by the crowd.