Rallies held against blasphemous cartoons

Published January 24, 2015
Supporters of Jamaat-i-Islami hold religious symbols and placards during a protest in Islamabad on Friday against blasphemous caricatures published in French weekly Charlie Hebdo. — Reuters
Supporters of Jamaat-i-Islami hold religious symbols and placards during a protest in Islamabad on Friday against blasphemous caricatures published in French weekly Charlie Hebdo. — Reuters

ISLAMABAD: Three protest rallies were held in the federal capital against the publication of blasphemous caricatures by a French magazine on Friday.

The Shaan–i-Risalat million march by Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) was held at Faisal Avenue but the attendance was not even close to any significant public gathering.

Addressing the march, JI chief Sirajul Haq criticised the West for being impartial and biased towards the Muslims.

“The fact is that, a Muslim cannot be an extremist or a terrorist because we believe in the teachings of the holy Prophet,” he said. “But the West has taken extremism as an excuse to ban freedom of religion and deny the rights of personal freedom in their countries.”

Referring to a ban on headscarf in France and cases of discrimination against the Muslims, he said Europe was challenging the patience of Muslims again and again by publishing such contents repeatedly.

“The West, which includes America, are terrorists and responsible for hundreds and thousands of deaths in Palestine, Afghanistan and Pakistan. After snatching our resources, they are now trying to destroy our culture,” he said.

The JI chief added that the West had taken up the path of world war III “but was not aware of our strength.”

A protest demonstration was held by the local Barelvi factions outside the Bari Imam shrine. The third demonstration was organised by the proscribed Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat which was attended by JUI-F activists.

The ASWJ is the reincarnation of Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), which was banned in 2002.

However, addressing the rally, the top leadership of ASWJ announced that the restrictions leading to the banning of the SSP had been lifted on the directions of the Supreme Court.

ASWJ chief Allama Mohammad Ahmed Ludhianvi said the French journal had hurt the feelings of the Muslims.

“Disrespect for the prophets is not acceptable to the Muslims,” he said, adding Saudi Arabia should convene a meeting of the Muslims leaders in Makkah and Madina to take up the matter at the international forum.

However, he also took the opportunity to highlight the political issues faced by his party and said whether military courts or ordinary courts, judgments have to be impartial if they have to maintain the trust of the people.

He said the ban imposed on his party by Gen Musharraf had been lifted. “This proves that we are a peaceful group,” the ASWJ chief said. JUI-F Senator Hafiz Hamidullah also spoke on the occasion.

In Rawalpindi, people from different parts of the city brought out rallies against the blasphemous caricatures.

The main protest demonstration held at Chur Chowk was organised by Pakistan Sunni Tehreek. Over 300 people led by Mufti Liaquat Ali Rizvi participated in the protest.

The protesters burnt the French flag and chanted slogans against the French government and the management of the magazine.

The speakers said a ban should be imposed on all French products in the country. The government should also send the French ambassador back to his country.

The Muslim student organisation arranged a protest demonstration at Dhoke Hassu which was attended by over 100 people.

On the other hand, the religious leaders and traders also announced to bring a rally against the blasphemous caricatures from Fawara Chowk to Liaquat Bagh on January 29.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.