KARACHI: The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) on Friday organised a huge rally under the banner of ‘Tehreek-i-Difa-i-Harmain’ as the party leaders vowed to go to any extent to defend Saudi Arabia in case the Arab kingdom comes under attack by Yemeni rebels.

Riding motorbikes, cars and other vehicles, ASWJ activists and supporters carrying banners and chanting slogans moved from Lasbela to the Numaish traffic intersection via Shershah Suri Road, as traffic movement was stopped on the key road leading to gridlock on alternative routes.

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At the Numaish traffic intersection, ASWJ leaders addressed the participants in the rally and pledged their support for Saudi Arabia in the Yemen conflict.

“The people of Pakistan do not feel themselves separate from Saudi Arabia,” said ASWJ chief Ahmed Ludhyanvi.

“The world recognises the fact that in testing times faced by any of the two nations, the other would stand for its help and assistance. This time, we have risen for this duty,” he announced.

He said the countries ‘supporting Yemeni rebels’ would face the consequences, as the Arab kingdom was respected by a majority of the Muslims across the world.

Allama Aurangzeb Farooqi asked Islamic states leaders to sink their differences and stay united for the common cause of ‘Tahaffuz-i-Harmain Sharifain’. He said the people should also not ignore the forces who have “threatened to attack Baitullah”.

He said the enemy of the Arab kingdom could never be a friend of and loyal to Islam. “This huge rally proves that the people of Pakistan want to defend Harmain Sharifain even at the cost of their lives,” he said, calling it a voice of the nation that Harmain Sharifain should remain safe and intact.

The rally concluded with peaceful dispersal of the crowd after sunset.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2015

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