KARACHI: The Jamaat­-i-Islami staged a massive rally — Gaza Million March — on Sharea Faisal on Sunday to mark the completion of 100 days of Israeli brutalities against innocent people of Palestine.

A large number of people, including women and children, came to Sharea Faisal from different parts of the city in cars, motorbikes, buses, etc, to participate in the rally.

Chanting slogans and carrying banners and placards, the participants joined the key point of the march near the Nursery bus stop.

Speaking to the participants of the rally over the phone, JI chief Sirajul Haq said that unfortunately the leaders of the Muslim world played a negative role and opted to keep mum and remained static over the issue of Gaza due to the pressure of Israel and the United States.

He said that the Muslim world should have offered all available resources and its military might to Palestinians and Hamas against Israel.

The JI leader lamented that the Muslim world had strong armies, all types of tanks, warships, missiles and other weaponry, including nukes, but it did nothing for Palestinians.

Asking the people to reject what he called coward leaders, he urged the people to vote and support in the Feb 8 elections those candidates who have the ability to represent them.

Speaking on the occasion, JI-Karachi chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman stressed the need to take all possible measures in everyone’s individual capacity to support Palest­­­inians against Israeli occupation.

He said that Israeli Prime Minister Netan­yahu enjoyed the support of not only the US, the United Kingdom and European countries but also a silent support of many Islamic countries.

He also hailed the role of South Africa for moving the International Court of Justice against Israel with genocide charges. He said that someone from the Muslim world should have come forward in this regard but unfortunately it was not the case.

He also paid a rich tribute to Houthi regime in Yemen for supporting Hamas against the occupation forces of Israel.

On the occasion, he highlighted that the boycott of Israeli products was a very strong initiative but it was incomplete without promoting local brands.

In this regard, he said, Alkhidmat and the Pakistan Business Forum were going to launch a ‘Mera Brand Pakistan’ initiative on Jan 20 and 21.

Allama Hassan Zaffar Naqvi, Allama Baqir Abbas Zaidi, former Karachi administrator Fahim Zaman, Advocate Younous Sohan and Shakeel Ahmed of Islami Jamiat Talaba also addressed the march.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2024