Blasphemous caricatures: Demonstrations continue across the province
JI, JUI-F to hold rallies in Swabi, Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad on Jan 23
PTI workers protest against Charlie Hebdo outside Peshawar Press Club. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/EXPRESS
SWABI/NOWSHERA/KOHAT/CHARSADDA/TIMERGARA:
Protests against the publication of blasphemous caricatures in French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo continued in different districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Monday.
Members of Swabi District Bar Association boycotted court proceedings while students of Government Post Graduate College, Swabi took to the streets against the magazine. The protesters said the publication has hurt the sentiments of Muslims around the world and an apology is due on part of the magazine. They also urged Muslim countries to cut off diplomatic ties with France.
Meanwhile, members of Pakistan Workers Federation also protested and asked the French government to take action against the publication. On the other hand, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) Swabi chapter has announced to take to the streets against Charlie Hebdo on January 23 and hold a protest at Swabi Chowk, extending the demonstrations to all four tehsils of the district.
Nowshera
A milad ceremony was held in Pabbi tehsil, Nowshera district on Monday where a number of religious scholars condemned the caricatures and pressed the government to review its relations with France. Speakers on the occasion urged the international community to take action against those sowing discord among different religious groups across the world.
Charsadda
Members of Charsadda Bar Association (CBA) also took to the streets on Monday.
They gathered at Farooq Azam Chowk where CBA President Altaf Khan addressed the protesters. Khan urged the government to convene a conference of Islamic states and form a united front against the “Jewish lobby”. They warned to shut the French embassy down if the government does not act. The traders’ union of the district also organised a rally and condemned the caricatures.
Kohat
The legal fraternity of Kohat organised a rally where attendees held placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the French government. The protesters set the French flag on fire and demanded the arrest of the publication’s owners.
Timergara
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq said Western powers are harbouring “anti-Islamic elements”. While addressing a press conference on Monday, Haq said JI will organise marches in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad simultaneously on January 23 against Charlie Hebdo. The JI chief said the publication is an attempt to trigger “World War III” which will endanger the lives of millions across the globe.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2015.
Protests against the publication of blasphemous caricatures in French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo continued in different districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Monday.
Members of Swabi District Bar Association boycotted court proceedings while students of Government Post Graduate College, Swabi took to the streets against the magazine. The protesters said the publication has hurt the sentiments of Muslims around the world and an apology is due on part of the magazine. They also urged Muslim countries to cut off diplomatic ties with France.
Meanwhile, members of Pakistan Workers Federation also protested and asked the French government to take action against the publication. On the other hand, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) Swabi chapter has announced to take to the streets against Charlie Hebdo on January 23 and hold a protest at Swabi Chowk, extending the demonstrations to all four tehsils of the district.
Nowshera
A milad ceremony was held in Pabbi tehsil, Nowshera district on Monday where a number of religious scholars condemned the caricatures and pressed the government to review its relations with France. Speakers on the occasion urged the international community to take action against those sowing discord among different religious groups across the world.
Charsadda
Members of Charsadda Bar Association (CBA) also took to the streets on Monday.
They gathered at Farooq Azam Chowk where CBA President Altaf Khan addressed the protesters. Khan urged the government to convene a conference of Islamic states and form a united front against the “Jewish lobby”. They warned to shut the French embassy down if the government does not act. The traders’ union of the district also organised a rally and condemned the caricatures.
Kohat
The legal fraternity of Kohat organised a rally where attendees held placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the French government. The protesters set the French flag on fire and demanded the arrest of the publication’s owners.
Timergara
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq said Western powers are harbouring “anti-Islamic elements”. While addressing a press conference on Monday, Haq said JI will organise marches in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad simultaneously on January 23 against Charlie Hebdo. The JI chief said the publication is an attempt to trigger “World War III” which will endanger the lives of millions across the globe.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2015.