One with Palestine: Rallies demand immediate end to Israeli offensive

Religious parties condemn silence of global community over atrocities in Gaza .

MINGORA/ PESHAWAR:

Religious parties organised rallies in the city on Friday against Israel’s offensive in Gaza and expressed their solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Tehreek-e-Azadi Al-Quds observed ‘Al-Quds Day’ and organised a rally at Qissa Khwani Bazaar with large a number of political workers and other people in attendance.

The demonstration was led by Imam Jami Abid Hussain Shakir, Arif Hussaini and Allama Irshad Hussain. Speaking on the occasion, they paid tribute to the late Ayatollah Khomeini for his statement that armed resistance to Zionist occupation was the sole way to liberate Palestine.

Those attending the protest carried banners and placards denouncing America and Israel.

Another demonstration on GT Road was organised on the call of Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq. The participants raised their collective voice against the devastation caused by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

The party’s interim provincial ameer, Shabir Ahmed Khan, said it was the duty of all Muslims to defend Palestine and the global Islamic leadership failed to fulfil this responsibility.

He appreciated the statement of Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who warned that his country would take military action against Israel if the attacks on Gaza are not terminated.

Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) also arranged solidarity walks outside the Jamia Masjid on Warsak Road.

Hundreds joined the walk after Friday prayers and demanded that Islamic leaders raise their voice against Israel and urged people to stop buying products from the Jewish state.

Former JUI-F district ameer, Qari Rafiq, while addressing the demonstrators, claimed America was supporting the Israeli attacks on Palestine.

There were massive traffic jams in various parts of the city due to the Al-Quds rally. Commuters and motorists expressed their dismay over the demonstrations, saying it caused a huge nuisance.

Pro-Palestine rally in Swat

The Jamaat-e-Islami Swat chapter also took out rallies in various areas to express its solidarity with Palestine.

Rallies were held in Mingora, Bahrain and Kalam tehsils. The participants chanted slogans against the Israeli offensive on Gaza. They also strongly condemned the silence of the international community and Muslim countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2014.