The religious parties organized a protest demonstration under the banner of Majlis-i-Tahafuz Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat in Qissa Khwani Bazaar after Friday prayers. The rally started from one end of the bazaar and culminated in front of Kabuli Chowk, where it was addressed by religious parties’ leaders.
The protesters chanted slogans against the United States and President Bush and in favour of Iraq. They were also carrying placards inscribed with slogans in favour of Jihad and Iraqi President Saddam Hussain.
In their speeches, leaders of the religious parties said the US threat to use force against Iraq was tantamount to terrorism and asked the Muslim countries to stop the US-led forces from attacking the Muslim country.
They also expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir and Palestine and condemned the Indian and Israeli aggression against the innocent Muslims.
They condemned the FBI operations in Karachi and Lahore and demanded of the government to release Dr Ahmad Javed Khawaja.
Those who spoke on the occasion included, Mufti Mujeebur Rehman, Maulana Khairul Bashar, Haji Ehsanul Haq, Maulana Mohammad Younus, Malik Pervez, Isa Khan, Muaaz Khan and Shamsur Rehman.
STUDENTS PROTEST: Hundreds of students also organized a protest rally against the possible US action against Iraq after Friday prayers here.
The rally, organized under the aegis of Islami Jamiat Tulaba, started from Jamia Majid in Islamia College and after passing through different roads of the campus culminated at Iqra Chowk on University Road.
The students raised slogans against the United States and in favour of Jihad.
The protesting students were also carrying an effigy of US President George Bush which was later torched.
At Iqra Chowk the protesters blocked the University Road, where IJT Nazim Hafiz Waqas Ahmad Khan addressed the rally.
He said that the US attack on Iraq would be considered an aggression against the Muslim Ummah. “Bush wants to weaken the Muslim countries’ powers and his interference in the domestic affairs of Pakistan is also a part of it,” he said. He urged the United Nations and the Muslim countries to stop the US from attacking Iraq.