PESHAWAR, Feb 15: The Jamaat-i-Islami has vowed that it will not abandon Jihad against infidels and their masters as it is mandatory for every Muslim to sacrifice his life in defence of Islam and the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).

Speaking at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday, JI Naib Amir Senator Prof Khursheed Ahmed said Jihad was not confined to the use of sword as it was also waged through pen, social activities and working for the uplift of human beings across the world.

The senator said neither Jihad could be abandoned nor delayed for political considerations as it was a way of life and continued throughout the life of a Muslim.

Referring to publication of sacrilegious caricatures in some European newspapers, the senator said it was a challenge for the Muslim ummah, which had been made a target of the US and Europe’s cultural threat.

He said it was not a matter of press freedom, but an attack on the faith of Muslims who believe in the person of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was an article of their faith.

He said the western powers were opposed to political Islam which covered every aspect of the Muslim community. They (western capitalists) wanted Muslims to practise the mystic form of Islam and distance themselves from socio-economic and political system of Islam.

He said the western countries were also opposed to the concept of Muslim ummah and they wanted them (Muslim) to surrender their religious identity, but it was the duty of Muslim rulers to foil the western manipulations.

The JI leader said the Muslim could combat the European moves by spreading true knowledge of Islam, organising protests at the United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Countries and diplomatic levels, building an economic pressure through boycott of European products and ending diplomatic relations with European nations.

He said the US government had got Europe trapped on the cartoon issue.

He appreciated the stance of the NWFP government, which was lodging a protest at official level by organising protest rallies against the European countries.