October 06, 2007	Saturday	Ramazan 23, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: Al-Quds Day was observed on Friday across the country and the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to express solidarity with the helpless people of Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq, and to condemn the occupation of the holiest Muslim land, Baitul Muqdas.

They condemned brutalities by the Zionist regime on the Palestinians and Lebanese, and the US troops’ cruelties to the Iraqi people.

In the special Juma sermons, Ulema prayed for the freedom of Qibla-i-Awal and the Palestinians. They underlined the need to promote unity among different segments of society.

In Islamabad, a major rally organised by Imamia Students Organisation (ISO) was taken out from Sector G-6/2 Imambargah after Juma prayers, which culminated at the Aabpara Chowk.

The rally was held on a call given by renowned religious leader and MMA’s senior vice-president, Allama Sajid Ali Naqvi. Ulema belonging to different schools of thought, leaders of various students organisations, and religious scholars addressed the rally.

They vowed to free Qibla-i-Awal from the clutches of Israel, besides resolving their all outstanding issues.

Speaking on occasion, MMA leader Mian Mohammad Aslam said Israel was committing brutalities against the innocent Palestinians, while the US was patronising it. He said Muslims across the world were being victimised and called “terrorists”.

He emphasised that Muslims should forget all their conflicts and unite on a single platform.

MMA Punjab president Maulana Abdul Jalil Naqvi said today Muslims belonging to all sects had gathered to show their abhorrence against the US and Israel. He added that the US was itself involved in terrorist activities in the name of war against terror.

Mr Naqvi said Israel had been killing Palestinians on their own land for the last 60 years.

He said Lebanon, Syria and other countries were feeling insecure as these countries were the next Israeli target. “Why was the US not seeing Israel’s terrorist activities,” he questioned. He vowed to resist and continue the struggle against anti-Muslim and anti-Islam powers.

MMA Deputy Secretary Liaquat Baloch said the entire Muslim world was raising its voice in favour of Palestinians.

Highlighting Imam Khomeini’s endeavours, he said that his announcement about observing Youm Al-Quds reunited the Muslim Ummah with a new courage.

He also lauded the struggle of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, and said Hezbollah foiled the nefarious designs of Israel.