MUZAFFARABAD, April 23: Expressing solidarity with the freedom seeking Kashmiris, leaders of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Wednesday stressed that the challenges being faced by the Ummah could only be met through preparations for Jihad.

“We have come here to send a message to the Indian rulers that the whole Ummah and the leaders of all religious schools of thought in Pakistan are morally supporting the Mujahideen and the oppressed Kashmiris,” said MMA vice-chairman Qazi Hussain Ahmed, while speaking at the Ittehad-i-Milat March.

“We do not want to capture India, but we do want that the people of held Kashmir must be given the right which India itself had pledged to them at the United Nations,” the MMA leader said.

Mr Ahmed, who heads Jamaat-i-Islami, was of the view that believing that Pakistan’s turn (for attack by the US) would not come amounted to overlooking the stark truths.

He demanded of the hosts to announce establishment of the MMA in Azad Kashmir so that it could pave way for early freedom of Kashmir.

MMA secretary-general Maulana Fazlur Rehman, lashed out at the US, saying it was not only the enemy of Islam but also of the whole humanity.

“The whole humanity should unite to block the path of that aggressor and Satan,” he said, amid slogans “Down with America”, “Death to America” by the crowd.

“The US has captured Afghanistan and Iraq and now it is eying Kashmir, where it will come by making the conflict between India and Pakistan an excuse,” he said, adding: “But we will not let America land its forces in Kashmir.”

He said people of Pakistan would extend all possible support to the Kashmiris. “Due to their conduct and character, our rulers are not able to get Kashmir liberated for you,” he said.

MMA chief and Senator Shah Ahmad Noorani said: “Liberation of Kashmir was the religious duty of every Muslim. Our hearts throb with you. The struggle (in Kashmir) must continue and the day is not far when the flag of freedom will hoist in Kashmir.”

Maulana Samiul Haq said that Jihad in Kashmir was not terrorism and the Ummah was bound to infiltrate Mujahideen in Kashmir and provide them weapons.

MMA leaders Prof Sajid Mir, Allama Sajid Naqvi, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, JIAK chief Sardar Ejaz Afzal, Maulana Attiqur Rehman Faizpuri, Qari Abdul Malik, Shahabuddin Madni and other leaders also spoke at the rally.