Friends, families and supporters light candles at the site of the blast on Friday in memory of the 50 people who lost their lives in the attack. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS
The Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) held a number of protests in different parts of the city on Friday to express their solidarity with the victims of the Abbas Town blast and condemn terrorism across the country.
The protesters lit clay lamps and offered prayers for all those affected by the blast. They also held up banners which had messages condemning sectarian attacks and demanded that countrywide operations be conducted to weed out militants. The protesters also demanded that the government immediately rehabilitate all those who had been left without a roof over their heads after the blast.
“We salute the martyrs, heirs of martyrs and those injured in the Abbas Town blast and other tragedies,” said Allama Sadiq Raza Taqvi, the general secretary of MWM’s Karachi chapter, while speaking at a protest near the blast site.
Nasir Shirazi, the central political secretary of the MWM, assured protesters that his group would not abandon the victims’ families in their time of need. Maulana Ali Anwar Jafri also promised them that relief efforts would continue till the last survivor is rehabilitated.
After Friday prayers, a rally was organised at Hussaini Jamey Masjid in Malir where Allama Agha Hassan Salahuddin, MWM’s central leader, delivered a speech.
A number of protesters also gathered at the Khoja Jamey Masjid in Kharadar where Maulana Ali Murtaza Zaidi, spoke. Similar protests were held in Sadat Colony, Drigh Road, Shah Faisal Colony, Landhi and Gulshan-e-Hadeed.
A protest was also held after Friday prayers at Qadamgah Maula Ali, Hyderabad. The clerics who addressed the protesters condemned the blasts in Quetta and Karachi. They demanded the arrest of culprits involved in these blasts and severe punishments for them. Special prayers for the victims of the attack were offered after Friday prayers at mosques across the district.
MWM activists also organised a rally which started from Central Imambargah, Talhar, and ended at the press club. Addressing the rally, religious scholars held the “inept” government responsible for the Abbas Town incident and similar attacks. They warned that they will organise bigger protests if the government does not do something to improve the law and order situation in the country.
(With input from agencies)
Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2013.
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MWM.... 4 target killers arrested last week, & Peacful... lolz !!
Now this is the only religio-political group that seem peaceful and constructive. I have attended their Sit-ins in Karachi and Rawalpindi. In both cities, their activists and general public were promoting Shia-Sunni unity and seem fully committed to protect the rights of Qadiyanis, Hindus, Christians and Sikhs. Nasir Shirazi is an enlightened Lawyer with an extremely progressive vision with command on international politics and current affairs. I also witnessed the beautiful sight at Abbas Town when Cheif of MWM Raja Nasir himself went to Dawat-e-Islami (Green Caps) and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) relief camp and thanked them for showing solidarity with affected people. They hugged each other amid slogans of Labbeik Ya Rasul Allah. Really wish they keep on the same track and acheive success in their quest.