29 May 2004	Saturday	09 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

KARACHI, May 28: Supporters of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal observed Friday as protest day in the city and staged rallies outside various mosques after Jumma prayers to condemned the US bombing that caused damage to the holy shrines in Iraq. The call for protest rallies was given by the MMA.

MMA leaders addressed the rallies and strongly condemned the US ¨bombing, particularly on the shrine of Hazrat Ali and other religious places in Karbala and Najaf.

They warned that if the world community did not raise its voice against the US frenzy, peace in other parts of the world would be also be shattered. "The bombings and excesses in Iraq have exposed the US real motives and designs," they said, and pointed out that Iraqi prisoners were being subjected to inhuman treatment.

They lauded both Sunni and Shia forces for waging a joint struggle against the occupation forces in Iraq and said that it was a paradigm of unity and brotherhood among followers of different Islamic sects.

The struggle against the US by the people of Iraq and Afghanistan is the beginning of the end of the super power, which has to see its destruction, they declared.

Terming the barbaric US onslaught in Karbala and Najaf 'shocking' they warned that those siding with the US in 'genocide of Muslims' were not well-wishers of the Ummah.

The protesters were holding placards and banners inscribed with anti-US and anti-Israel slogans. They expressed solidarity with the people of Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan, and chanted slogans in favour of Islamic revolution.

Speakers at different gatherings were Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui, Nasrullah Khan Shajee, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, Dr Waseh Shakir, Syed Mohammad Qutub, Hussain Ahmad Madani, Tajammul Hussain and others.

In the Jumma congregations, ulema and khateebs in their sermons condemned the US and its allies for unleashing a reign of terror in Iraq and ruining sacred Islamic shrines. Resolutions against the occupation forces and their brutalities were also adopted.