PESHAWAR: Politico-religious parties and civil society groups held demonstrations and rallies across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and in some areas of Fata on Friday to protest atrocities against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F, Defa-i-Pakistan Council, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, students and traders associations took out rallies in different areas of Peshawar. Ulema at Friday sermons also highlighted the plight of Muslims in Myanmar.

The protesters carrying placards and banners chanted slogans against the Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi for her alleged silence over the killing of Muslims in Myanmar. The marchers demanded cessation of violence against the community.

Activists of Defa-i-Pakistan Council, a conglomerate of various religious organisations and a group of students demonstrated in front of Peshawar Press Club. Students also set effigy of Suu Kyi on fire.

JUI-F and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat took out separate rallies in Namak Mandi and Khyber Bazaar. JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had asked workers to demonstrate against the Myanmar government.

Traders organised a rally in Saddar Bazaar while residents of Badbher also staged a demonstration to show solidarity with the Rohingya Muslims.

In Swabi, various organisations and political parties staged three separate protest demonstrations against the killing of Rohingya Muslims and urged the United Nations to intervene to stop the brutalities.

JUI-F and other religious parties’ activists marched from the district headquarters to Karnal Sher Khan Chowk.

The protest was led by JUI-F central naib emir Maulana Fazal Ali and district chief Attaul Haq Darvesh. They were chanting slogans against the silence of the western powers and UN over the persecution of Rohingyas.

Another protest was held at Tordher led by Qaumi Watan Party MPA Abdul Karim.

In Shewa Adda, Anjuman-i-Dokandaran and other welfare bodies demonstrated and expressed solidarity with the Rohingyas, calling upon the Islamic counties to create unity in their ranks.

In Buner, the persecution of Rohingya Muslims by the Myanmar army and Buddhists was condemned in the Friday congregations and special prayers were offered for protection of the suffering Muslims.

The speakers demanded of the UN, Amnesty International and OIC to play their role in stopping atrocities against Rohingyas.

In Shangla, rallies were held in Shangla tehsil on the call of JUI-F. In Bisham, the JUI activists blocked Karakoram Highway for three hours to protest Rohingya killings.

In Khar, the tribesmen held a demonstration in Inaayt Kalay Bazaar, demanding of the Myanmar government to stop violence against the Rohingyas.

Political and religious activists, transporters, students and members of civil society participated in the rally in large numbers.

Holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the Myanmar government, the protesters gathered at the main bypass road after passing through different places.

The protesters also chanted slogans against the leadership of Islamic countries, the international community and the human rights organisations for their silence over the situation.

They also criticised the silence of US, Russia, UK, France, and Germany over the grave situation.

In Lakki Marwat, JUI-F activists accompanied by people from different walks of life blocked the busy Bannu-Mianwali road in Lakki city to record their protest against US President Donald Trump’s threats to Pakistan and massacre of Muslims in Burma.

Hundreds of protesters led by JUI-F district chief Maulana Abdul Rahim gathered at Qazi Ishfaq Chowk on the main bus stand and staged a sit-in on the busy road. They raised anti-US slogans and condemned the genocide of Rohingyas.

On the occasion, JUI-F emir Maulana Rahim, general secretary Maulana Samiullah, Lakki tehsil nazim Hidayatullah, Naurang tehsil nazim Maulana Ezazullah and others condemned the world nations for criminal salience over massacre of Muslims in Burma.

They also asked the world nations to recognise the sacrifices of Pakistan in the war on terror and its valuable role in ensuring sustainable peace in the region.

Rallies were also taken out in Kohat, Charsadda, Abbottabad, Timergara and other towns of the province.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2017