KARACHI, Oct 28: The expression of solidarity with the Muslim brethren, particularly Palestinian people, struggling for the liberation of Al-Quds by observing Al-Quds Day on Jummatul Wida is a referendum against the Zionist state of Israel.

This was declared by speakers at a big rally held here after Jumma prayers in connection with the Al-Quds Day, observed on Friday throughout the Muslim world.

The call for observing Jummatul Wida as Al-Quds Day had been given by the late Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Khomeini to condemn and foil the conspiracies hatched by the US imperialism and Israel against the Muslim Ummah.

The procession, which was taken out from Numaish Chowrangi and culminated at Regal Chowk, was addressed by President of the Imamia Students Organization Rizwan Kazmi, as well as Maulana Baqar Zaidi, Maulana Yusuf Memon, Maulana Mirza Yusuf Hussain, Maulana Shahinsha Naqvi and Allama Aftab Haider Jafri.

Participants of the rally raised slogans against the United States and Israel.

They burnt US and Israeli flags and effigies of US President George Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Speaking on the occasion, Rizwan Kazmi hailed the resistance put up by Hezbollah, Palestinian forces and other Jihadi outfits to Israeli occupation forces and said the Zionist forces were bound to face defeat at the hands of the brave and courageous liberation forces.

“The recent evacuation of Israeli forces from Gaza is the victory of Palestinian Muslims,” he said, adding that the Jihad against the very existence of Israel would not let the dream of the Zionist state come true.

Maulana Baqir Zaidi said that the so-called rulers of certain Islamic states were finding a settlement of the Palestine issue through various means but the only way to resolve it was the one declared by Imam Khomeini who called for Jihad. Waging Jihad against Zionist occupation forces is obligatory on Ummah in defence of Muslim countries, he added.

Maulana Mirza Yusuf Hussain said that Ummah would continue to observe Jummatul Wida as Al-Quds day until the liberation of the Al-Quds.

CONDEMNED: ISO chief Rizwan Kazmi has condemned police firing on Al-Quds rallies in Multan, Chiniot and Muzaffarabad resulting in injuries to many participants, and the ensuing arrests of ISO activists. He called for the release of the activists and warned of protest campaign if they were not freed immediately.