23 March 2004	Tuesday	01 Safar 1425

KARACHI, March 22: Scores of people on Monday staged a protest demonstration at Jamia Binoria to denounce the killing of Shaikh Ahmed Yaseen by Israeli gunships in Gaza.

Carrying banners and placards, inscribed with anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, protesters chanted slogans against US President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Sharon and in favour of Jehad for liberation of Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Enraged protesters were carrying portraits of Shaikh Ahmed Yaseen and pledging their support to Palestinians. A large number of children were also among protesters.

Addressing demonstrators, deputy chief of Jamat-i-Islami Prof. Ghafoor Ahmed said the US President and the Israeli PM were responsible for the martyrdom of Shaikh Yaseen.

"US and Israel are the biggest terrorists and rogue countries in the world. They are a visible and clear threat to world peace and without restraining them, world peace cannot be maintained", he said, adding that more Mujahid leader will emerge after their leader's assassination.

The JI leader said although Muslim rulers were acting as "slaves", the US and Israel would no longer be able to continue their oppression. He also criticised President Pervez Musharraf for his support to US and said Wana operation was against the aspirations of masses, including Muslims of all over the world.

Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal leader Hafiz Muhammad Taqi said use of heavy weapons, artillery, helicopters and missiles against Mujahideen in Wana was unfortunate for Pakistan Army, which was established to support Muslims of subcontinent.

He said Shaikh Ahmed Yaseen was a fortunate person who was killed by Israeli forces, but unfortunately hundreds of Mujahideen were being killed in Pakistan by our own security forces.

Dr. Mairajul Huda Siddiqui, JI Karachi Amir, said Shaikh Yaseen's assassination was an act of Israeli terrorism and Islamic countries should declare Israel a terrorist and rogue state.

Protesters remained on the road in front of Binori Town Mosque for several hours and chanted slogans against the Israel and US and its allies all over the world. Later, they dispersed peacefully. - PPI

Our staff reporter adds: The students of Karachi University, on Monday, brought out a rally in the campus to protest against the killing of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yasin in an Israeli attack.

Wearing black arm-bands and holding banners expressing concern over the killing, the participants marched through different departments of the arts faculty around 11.30am. They chanted slogans against Israel and America and finally dispersed near Economics Department.

Classes at some of the departments were put off after 11am. A university official, who remained with the demonstrators, said that the rally ended peacefully.

Addressing the protesters, Islami Jamiat-i-Talba chief Syed Amir Ashraf stated that the gap created after the murder of Hamas leader would be felt largely by the Islamic world for long.

The recent act of terrorism by Israel on Palestinian land was an indication that the US-backed Jewish and Zionist elements were the real terrorists in the world, he said.

The protesters urged President Musharraf not to support Israel or America and stop the ongoing military operation in Wana. At another protest rally at Regal Chowk, students chanted slogans against Israel and United States.

Carrying banners and placards against the US and its allies, they condemned the killing of Sheikh Yaseen in Gaza by Israelis, and vowed to continue Jehad against the occupation of Muslim lands.

Students had started gathering at Khizra mosque after hearing the news about the assassination of Shaikh Yaseen. Later, they marched towards Karachi Press Club after passing through various roads and streets in Saddar.