PESHAWAR, Sept 11: NWFP's senior minister and Jamaat-i-Islami's provincial chief on Saturday vowed to continue Jihad "till the liberation of Muslim areas from the occupation of US and Western powers."

Speaking at a rally of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) staged against global terrorism and raids against madressahs here, Sirajul Haq said that terrorism was the creation of America, Western countries and the Western media.

"Islam is a religion of peace and brotherhood and it is the Americans and British who are involved in terrorism around the world," he said.

Mr Haq said that attacks on the shrine of Hazarat Ali (RA) and the killing of innocent people in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world were a clear proof that these powers were involved in terrorism.

"They want to control Muslim states' resources, so they have launched a so-called anti-terror drive," he said.

He said that Muslim countries' armies, which numbered 6.6 million, were ready to wage Jihad but "their coward rulers were not ready to confront the American and western forces."

He said that the US wanted to eliminate the spirit of Jihad from the hearts of Muslims and convert madressahs into clubs, "but we will foil all such designs".

He said that it was thought that attacks on tribesmen in Wana would abate with the appointment of a Pakhtoon interior minister but these had escalated instead.

Provincial amir of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Maulana Amanullah demanded lifting of economic sanctions against the people of Wana.

"We want the government to immediately bring to an end the killing of innocent people in Wana and lifting of economic blockade against the Wazir tribe," he said.

The MMA activists started a march from Namakmandi and, after passing through different bazaars, culminated at Chowkyadgar.

The demonstrators waved placards inscribed with anti-American slogans and chanted slogans condemning American attacks on holy places and Pakistan government's raids on madressahs.

Other prominent leaders who participated in the rally were MNA Sabir Hussain Awan, Haji Ehsanul Haq and Haji Dost Muhammad.