ISLAMABAD: Possibly for the first time, key religio-political parties showed unity in expressing solidarity with the Palestinians as all the members of Milli Yekjehti Council (MYC) jointly observed Al Quds Day on Friday.

A joint protest rally was taken out from Nadra Chowk to Serena Hotel where leaders of the MYC addressed the gathering and then presented a memorandum to Neil Buhne, the UN resident coordinator in Pakistan.

The day is marked as a protest against the creation of Israel and occupation of Jerusalem by it besides raising awareness in the world against human rights violations faced by the Palestinians.

Though several parties used to hold the Al Quds Day rallies separately every year on the last Friday of Ramazan, the MYC parties this year decided to launch the protest jointly in the wake of the emerging political conditions in the Gulf and closeness of the Trump administration with Israel.

The memorandum said the UN had miserably failed in solving the Palestine and Kashmir disputes as per the wishes of the people of these territories.

It said the UN and its subsidiary organisations had been unable to take effective measures against the aggressors.

Meanwhile, a small protest was organised by the TNFJ against Israel at Aabpara on Friday morning.

Besides, gatherings were also organised by Pakistan Ulema Council at various mosques in the country.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2017