PESHAWAR, May 16: The Talaba Ishaat Ala Menhajul Salaf Pakistan will hold a two-day convention here to apprise the masses of the challenges faced by Muslims. The convention, which is to begin on May 19, will be addressed by prominent leaders from all religious parties, Maulana Muhammad Roohullah Tauheedi told journalists in Peshawar. Emphasizing the need for holding such a convention, he said that Muslims, apart from being targeted by anti-Islamic forces, were divided into various sectarian, ethnic and nationalist groups. This, he said, had shattered their unity.

“We condemn the desecration of the Holy Quran at the hands of the US Army in Guantanamo Bay, and demand that those responsible for this act be handed over to the Muslims,” he said. “If Pakistan can hand over persons wanted by America, then why cannot America hand over those who are wanted by the Muslims?” he asked.

Following the appearance of a derogatory cartoon against Pakistan in the Washington Times and the desecration of the Holy Quran in Guantanamo Bay, he said, the government should withdraw its support to the US, particularly as a frontline state in the so-called war against terrorism.