Rallies held against Holy Quran desecration

Religious organisations denounce act of hatred

KARACHI:

Over 100 protest demonstrations were held across Karachi here on Friday as Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) was observing the day against desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden.

JI Karachi chief Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman addressing a protest demonstration outside a mosque at Tariq Road said that some quarters in the West have been attempting to normalise the blasphemy and desecration of the Holy Quran by repeatedly committing these acts.

He said that the path of extremism instead of mutual respect would lead the Western World to self-destruction, anarchy and confrontation with Muslims.

He said that the United States, the European Union and other western powers hurt sentiments of over a billion Muslims under the curtain of freedom of speech, whereas they adopt totally different approach towards Holocaust.

Meanwhile, addressing a protest organised by Aalmi Majlis Tahaffuz Khatm-e-Nubuwwat in Karachi against the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and Holland, Jamiat Ulma e Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Sindh Secretary General Maulana Rashid Mehmood Soomro and Ameer of Majlise Tahaffuz Khatm-e- Nabuwwat Karach Maulana Mohammad Ejaz Mustafa said that the Western society, which teaches freedom, tolerance and moderation to the world, has itself descended into worst extremism due to anti Islam policies and doing Islamophobic terrorism.

The central president of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat Allama Ghazi Aurangzeb Farooqi and leaders of ASWJ Karachi division Maulana Rab Nawaz Hanfi, Maulana Taj Mohammad Hanfi and others said burning copies of Holy Quran hints at an international conspiracy to first provoke the sentiments of Muslims and then defame them.

Separately, Amir of Jamaat Ahle Sunnat Pakistan Karachi Allama Syed Shah Abdul Haq Qadri addressed a large public gathering at Memon Masjid Jodia Bazaar against the desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden and Holland. While addressing, he said there is great anxiety and anger in the Muslim Ummah over this blatant act of hate.

Pakistan Sunni Tehreek marked Friday as Youm-e-Hurmat Quran Kareem. THead of Pakistan Sunni Tehreek Muhammad Sarwat Ejaz Qadri said in a telephonic address to the protests in the country, "we want to tell the world that Islam is religion of peace but this does not give anyone the right to insult out religion."

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2023.