PESHAWAR: Workers of different political parties and traders’ bodies on Monday took out a protest procession on Monday to condemn the Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, and urged the Islamic world to take a unified stand against the aggression.

The procession was led by clerics of different schools of thought under the banner of ‘Voice of People of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’. The protesters were holding banners and placards inscribed with demand for an end to the bloodshed of Palestinians.

Prominent among the participants were chairman of Almi Muttahida Ulema and Mashaik Council Allama Mohammad Shoaib, Allama Abid Shakri, Awam Ki Pukar president Ghulam Hussain Afridi, senior vice president of municipal corporation Malik Mohammad Naveed and Pakistan Maseehi League leader Dr Jan.

The protesters shouted slogans against Israel for what they termed committing genocide of innocent Palestinians. They demanded of the UN and Arab League to play role in immediate cessation of bloodshed. The protesters also torched US and Israeli flags to show their hatred against all killing of innocent people.

Talking to mediapersons, the religious parties’ leaders urged Muslim states, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey, to declare holy war against Israel.

They also asked the people of Muslim countries to come onto the roads to force their governments for taking the issue seriously.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2014