Protests held against US killing of Iran’s top commander

The rally marched towards US Consulate, the route to which was blocked by containers

ISLAMABAD/ KARACHI: Scores of people, including children, took to streets on Sunday in Karachi, to participate in a rally organised in condemnation of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani’s killing in a US military strike.

The rally was led by prominent Shia leaders including Allama Hasan Zafar Naqvi, Allama Shahenshah Hussain Naqvi, Allama Ahmed Iqbal, Allama Baqar Abbas Zaidi, Allama Nazir Abbas Taqvi, Allama Mirza Yousuf Hussain, Allama Amin Shaheedi, Allama Nisar Qalandari and others.

Members of Shia organisations, including Majlis-e-Wihdat Muslmin (MWM), Imamia Students Organisation (ISO), Jafferia Alliance, Shia Ulema Council, and others assembled at Fawara Chowk near the Karachi Press Club as the rally commenced around 3pm and began marching towards the US consulate, located on Mai Kolachi Road.

The rally crossed the Native Jetty Bridge to reach its destination, the route to which was blocked by containers placed by law enforcement agencies.

En route to the consulate, the participants of the rally shouted slogan against Soleimani’s killing, holding banners displaying the general’s portrait and emblazoned with slogans like “Down with USA”.

As the air resounded with the participants shouts, different leaders addressed that rally, condemning the fatal strike by the US. They said that the US had challenged the sovereignty of Iraq by launching an attack in the country’s territory.

The leaders said that huge turnout at Soleimani’s funeral made it evident that he was considered a hero by the people of Iran and Iraq. The US considers Soleimani’s killing a triumph when it is a failure, they stated further.

Addressing the rally, Allama Shehanshah Hussain Naqvi said that Soleimani not only defeated Israel and America in the Middle East, he also wiped out terrorist organisation like ISIS from the regions. He termed the killing of Soleimani an “act of terrorism” and said that the attack was a “proof of the US’ failure in the region.”

Speaking of the attack in which the Iranian general was killed, he said, “it was an attack on the state’s sovereignty [and] it is condemnable”.

Expressing solidarity with the “aggrieved people of Iran”, other leaders attending the rally said that Pakistan is with Iran in this difficult time.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

The rally was peacefully dispersed near the US Consulate. Some of its participants attempted to cross the containers and reach the Consulate but were stopped by the leaders attending the rally.

Besides, rallies protesting Soleimani’s killing were carried out in other districts on Sindh, including Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Thatta, Bhitt Shah, Jhudo, Jam Nawaz Ali.

Meanwhile, all three roads leading to the US Consulate were blocked on Sunday morning by the police and traffic was diverted to other routes. A large number of officials from Sindh Rangers, Sindh Police and traffic police were deployed along the routes leading to the US consulate.

Earlier, in the backdrop of uproar among the Shia community following Soleimani’s killing, the Home Department had issued directives for the law enforcement agencies to provide security to the US Consulate as well as the Iranian Consulate General in Karachi. Owing to the current situation, the department also ordered them to ensure the security of Iranian and American citizens residing in the city.

The US military had killed Soleimani, who was also the chief of the al Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards Corp, on Friday in an air strike outside Baghdad international airport that shocked the Islamic republic and sparked fears of a new war in the Middle East.

MWM holds protest against US in capital

Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) on Sunday staged a protest demonstration against the US air strike that claimed the life of Iran’s Gen Qasem Soleimani.

A large number of MWM central, provincial and district leaders, political and social figures and activists from various schools of thought besides people from the Shia community came out in large numbers to denounce what they called was US terrorism.

Addressing the rally that started from National Press Club, MWM leader Aga Syed Ali Rizvi said that the United States was the worst and the most hated enemy of Islam.

The US gave irreparable loss to the Muslim Ummah whenever it had the opportunity. Muslim rulers have seen American friendship turn into enmity a number of times, but still support it.

Rizvi urged the Muslim world to get out of American influence for its survival.

Addressing the rally, Allama Iqbal Behishti said that General Qasem Soleimani had rid Iraq of Da’esh. He was protector of the holy places and ended the reign of terror of ISIS.

Allama Akhtar Abbas said that the cowardly act of the US would hasten its downfall. Any Muslim country in the US block will be considered as the enemy of Islamic interests, he said.

Now is the time for bold decisions rather than compromise. History is cruel and never forgives the cowardly in the name of compromise. He said that the mother land created on the name of Islam should play the role for promoting Islam.

Allama Sher Ali Ansari said that Pakistan's government would have to clarify that no Western aid or pressure tactic could damage Pakistan and Iran's brotherly ties.

Whole nation is still facing the consequences of friendship with America and demands of do more in the shape of terrorism. The arrogance of America will soon sink it. American citizens across the world today suffer from severe panic and anxiety because of Trump's unwise and biased policies.

At the end of the rally, the American flag and President Trump's effigy were burned.