KARACHI, Sept 5: Secretary-General of Jamaat-i-Islami Syed Munawwar Hasan has criticized raids on Madressahs and arrests of ulema in the name of Al Qaeda and alleged that action against religious institutions was being taken to appease the US.

Speaking at a certificate/ awards distribution ceremony held at Jamia Darul Salam, Gizri, he said the government policy on the issue had divided the ummah into two. "One section, which represents the people, is ready to sacrifice every thing against colonial powers, while the other section comprises rulers who have become a tool in the hands of US."

He said although technology had changed the world, the importance of mosque and Mehrab could not be ignored. Referring to the uniform issue of Gen Pervez Musharraf, the JI leader said it was a matter of supremacy of law and the Constitution and if the Constitution was violated the entire nation would come out on streets. Maulana Abdul Malik, Maulana Abdul Karim Abid and Mairaj-ul-Huda Siddiqui also spoke on the occasion.