0
RAWALPINDI, Aug 27: Hundreds of people gathered here at Liaquat Bagh to protest against the US bombing of the holy sites in Najaf. The protest demonstration had been organized by Jamiat Ulema Jafria (JUJ). The protesters included women, children and the elderly.
Central leaders of JUJ including Allama Mohsin Ali Hamdani, Maulana Ijaz Ahmad, Allama Basharat and Allama Mohammad Hussain were leading the protest rally. The demonstrators were carrying banners and placards inscribed with statements against the US and asking Muslim rulers to wake up from the slumber and take a unified stand against Najaf bombing. 'Down with America', read a placard.
A protester also raised slogans condemning American anti- Muslims campaign throughout the world. A US flag was also burnt on the occasion. Fiery speeches were made, during which Ulema maintained that the desecration of holy sites in Iraq was equal to dishonouring the whole Muslim world.
They regretted that Muslim leaders were watching Najaf burning as silent spectators. They targeted the Organization of Islamic Conference for its inaction over the attacks on scared places in Najaf. When will the OIC show its reaction, the protesters asked.
OUR REPORTER ADDS: Jamaat-i-Islami Punjab deputy chief and MNA from Islamabad Mian Mohammad Aslam has condemned attack on Najaf mosque. In a statement, he said all Pakistanis denounced bloodshed of Iraqis and had all sympathies with them as Iraqis were passing through a critical moment of their history.
The MNA said the desecration of holy places in Iraq had grieved every Muslim. He said the sanctity of religious places, especially the shrine of Hazrat Ali (A.S.), was imperative for all and sundry.
Speaking at a meeting of JI workers on Friday, he denounced terrorism and said there was no concept of terrorism in Islam which preached love for humanity. Mr Aslam accused Western countries of distorting the image of Islam by portraying Muslims as terrorists under a conspiracy.
He also came down hard on the government for, what he said, its ongoing campaign against Madressahs. He claimed that the people had given MMA mandate for enforcement of Shariat in the NWFP, and that practical steps were being taken in this regard.
