On the streets: JuD, JUI-F, ASWJ protest against sacrilegious cover

Religious parties hold demonstrations against the publication of the blasphemous cover.

KARACHI:

Hundreds of people went out on the streets on Friday afternoon to protest against the controversial cover of the French magazine, Charlie Hebdo.

Members of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam - Fazl (JUI-F), Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) and others organised different rallies and demonstration in different parts of the city. Protesters were seen holding placards and party flags as they marched through Business Recorder Road, Jahangir Road and main MA Jinnah Road.

On Thursday, the foreign office used strong words to officially condemn French magazine, its sacrilegious cover and other publications for reprinting the blasphemous cartoons.

The demonstrations caused traffic jams on the city's main roads and left several motorcyclists, drivers and passengers stuck. Many had to take alternative routes to reach their destinations.

Religious leaders who led the protest claimed that the West was trying to defame the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and Islam. They claimed that the foreign media houses would have to apologise to the Muslims all over the world for the controversy caused by the magazine cover. The leaders expressed their dismay over the way the United Nations responded.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2015.