KARACHI, May 15: A protest rally was held outside the Karachi Press Club on Sunday against desecration of the Holy Quran in Guantanamo Bay prison. The participants held President Bush responsible for the incident and demanded the US to apologize to the Ummah.

Criticizing General Musharraf for perusing pro-US policies, the protesters referred to the Washington Times cartoon, which depicted Pakistan as a dog, and said that the rulers must now realize that what image of Pakistan they had succeeded in creating in America by pursuing pro-US policies.

Addressing the rally, Jamaat-i-Islami Karachi chief Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui said that Washington was preparing to target sacred places of Muslims.

Condemning the desecration of the Holy Quran, he said it was a challenge to the whole Ummah, and urged every Muslim to rise up for the protection of the holy book.

Dr Siddiqui said that burning of Pakistan consulate in Afghanistan was the indication that Pakistan was being considered in that country as the biggest ally of the US and an enemy of Muslims.

He said the US, due to its anti-Muslim policies, had become a symbol of hatred while the US agents and pro-US rulers were striving to force people to accept US slavery in the name of enlightened moderation.

MNA Mohammad Hussain Mehanti, Abdul Wahid Shaikh and Shuaun Nabi also addressed the rally.