KARACHI, Feb 17: Ulema and religious scholars, addressing protest demonstrations outside various mosques in the city after Juma prayers, called on the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) to announce observance of a ‘universal day of protest’ against blasphemy by certain European newspapers.

A resolution to this effect was adopted by participants of the rallies. It said that on this universal protest day, all Islamic countries should keep their flags at half mast, suspend operation of their air, rail and other traffic, and also stop all business activities.

It called for a boycott of all products from the countries where the press carried the blasphemous sketches and whose citizens had resorted to indulging in this ‘worst sort of terrorism’. Such countries, it said, be given a three-day ultimatum to either award capital punishment to the culprits or get their diplomatic ties with all Muslim countries snapped.

The resolution asked rulers of all Islamic countries to stage a protest demonstration in front of the UN headquarters against the responsible European governments.

The resolution, which was also adopted at the two main rallies, one at Banaras Chowk and the other outside the Jamia Masjid in Jacob Lines, condemned the publication of blasphemous sketches in strongest terms, and said that those defending the act as ‘freedom of press’ and ‘freedom of expression’ be also considered criminals.

The resolution emphatically advocated the ongoing protests by Muslims throughout the world, and asked the Pakistan government to press the OIC to convene its emergency summit on the issue.

Addressing the rally at Jacob lines, Karachi Amir of the Jamaat-i-Islami Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui said that 1.5 billion Muslims in the world would never tolerate any act of blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). He deplored that not a single minister, out of the army of 70, had bothered to participate in any of the protest rallies being staged throughout the country as part of the Namoos-i-Mustafa campaign.

Referring to the EU’s stand that any attack on its member would be regarded as an attack on the whole EU, he said Muslims around the world always considered any attack on the person of the holy prophet as an attack on the whole Ummah and would never forgive the aggressor.

Maulana Tanveerul Haq Thanvi asked every Muslim to come out of his home to join in the protest as his religious duty.

Nasrullah Shaji of the MMA said that the publication of the blasphemous sketches had sent a wave of shock, grief and anger across the Islamic world. He pointed out that certain Middle East countries had already announced boycott of goods from certain European states, especially Denmark, for their unacceptable response to the Muslims’ call for action against blasphemer organizations and individuals.

Altogether, about 500 big and small rallies were staged in various parts of the city on Friday. Most of them were held after Juma prayers outside different mosques. At many places, participants of the rallies, led by ulema and other religious scholars and legislators, marched through the adjoining streets.

The JI leaders who led such protest rallies included Mohammad Hussain Mehanti, Abdul Sattar Afghani, Mohammad Laeeq, Nasrullah Shaji, Yunus Barai, Hameedullah Khan, Shaikh Rafique Ahmad, Birjees Ahmad, Mohammad Muslim, Shamim Pasha and Kamal Ahmad Farooqui.

They told the protesters that the West’s obstinacy was pushing the world towards destruction.

“Muslims are peaceful, but they will never tolerate insults to their Prophet in any form. Injuring the religious sentiments of the followers of any belief is also a violation of the UN charter.”

Small traders also held a rally in Liaquatabad which was addressed by leaders of the Small Traders Associations. They pledged a total boycott of the products from European countries and Israel if ulema took a unanimous decision in this regard.

Speaking at the rally, Mehboob Azam recalled that traders had once observed a 28-day strike against the levy of GST. “And we are prepared to close our business for 28 months against blasphemy,” he vowed.

Mehmood Hamid, Tahir Memon, Ansar Baig, Ismail Siddiqui, Babar Khan and Pir Naseerullah Qadri also addressed the rally, which started from the Shuhada Chowk and culminated at Dak Khana roundabout.

Town Nazim of Malir Ansar Ahmad Shaikh also led a rally outside the Ibrahim mosque after Friday prayers. He told the participants that by observing peaceful protest and rallies, the people of Malir had proved that they did not believed in acting in an uncivilized manner to register their protest and anger.