Palestine solidarity rally outside US consulate

Rally saw leaders from various political, religious, and social organisations, including MQM, JI, PPP, ISO, others

KARACHI:

The Majlis-e-Wahdat-Muslimeen organised a rally in solidarity with Palestine and the defence of Gaza, in which the participants marched to the US Consulate General. The rally witnessed a significant turnout, with hundreds of women, children, the elderly, and youth coming together to show their support.

Participants carried banners and placards bearing slogans such as “Labaik Ya Al-Aqsa,” “Labaik Ya Gaza,” “Down with America and Israel,” and “The Struggle Continues until the Liberation of Quds.” In a symbolic gesture, demonstrators set fire to the flags of Israel and the US in front of the American diplomatic.

The rally saw leaders from various political, religious, and social organisations, including MQM, Jamaat-e-Islami, PPP, ISO, Zakireen Imamia, and others, join forces in a powerful display of unity.

Allama Hassan Zafar Naqvi, a prominent leader, addressed the participants outside the US Consulate, condemning the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza. “The ongoing Israeli aggression in Palestine represents a grave affront to humanity. The US shares responsibility for the attacks on hospitals and Israeli transgressions.”

Allama Naqvi emphasised that the defenders of Palestine have effectively responded to Zionist attacks, and he dismissed the notion of Greater Israel’s invincibility as a mere dream. He further criticised the visit of the US president to Israel while air strikes were being carried out on Palestinian populations in Gaza.

Allama Naqvi called for a collective effort by Muslim countries to politically, diplomatically, socially, and economically boycott the Zionist state. He urged Muslim rulers and the international community to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza and take measures to end the siege, stating, “The international community must intervene to halt the Palestinians’ genocide.”

MQM leader Rauf Siddiqui, in his speech, decried the lack of support from 56 Islamic countries for the people of Gaza and criticised Muslim rulers for their perceived timidity in addressing the Israeli aggression. He warned that if the Israeli onslaught in Gaza was not halted, there would be repercussions.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Muslim Pervaiz expressed solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine, asserting that the hearts of the Pakistani nation resonate with the suffering of the Palestinians. He called on individuals not to hesitate to sacrifice their lives for the cause.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2023.