PESHAWAR/NOWSHERA: Activists of political parties and religious groups on Friday held protest demonstrations against US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as capital of Israel and described it as a well-organised conspiracy against Muslims.

In Peshawar, the workers of Tehreek Sirat-i-Mustaqeem, Pakistan, held a demonstration outside the Peshawar Press Club and chanted slogans against the US and Israel. They urged the Muslim Ummah to forge unity against the Zionist forces.

Speaking on the occasion, the party’s chairman Abdul Ghaffar Mohmand said that non-Muslims could not be friends of the Muslims and that was why the US recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital to hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world.

Mufti Mohammad Naeem, Hasham Khan and Rohullah Khan also spoke on the occasion and condemned the US for hatching a conspiracy against the Muslims.

Meanwhile, workers of Jammu Kashmir Front led by Saeed Butt advocate also held a protest demonstration at Rampura Gate and shouted anti-US slogans. Holding banners inscribed with slogans in support of Baitul Muqaddas (Al Quds), they said that it was a matter of faith for the Muslims to take a firm stand on the matter.

In Nowshera, leaders and workers of different political parties on Friday staged a protest demonstration against Mr Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as capital of Israel.

The procession led by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl was also attended by activists of Jamaat-i-Islami, PPP, PML-N, JUI (Noorani), QWP and local traders. The procession after passing through different bazaars reached Shobra Chowk where it converted into a public meeting.

It was addressed by Qari Umer Ali, Mufti Hakim Ali of JUI-F, Liaquat Shabab of PPP, Iftikhar Ahmad of JI and local PML-N activists besides president of Anjuman-i-Tajeran Khalid Khan.

They said that it was a matter of great concern that the Islamic countries did nothing practically except passing a resolution from the OIC.

They said that the United Nations had failed to play its positive role in resolving the longstanding issue of Palestine. They appealed to the Islamic countries to cut off diplomatic relations with US and withdraw money deposited in its banks in protest against the recent announcement about Jerusalem by the US administration.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2017