KARACHI - Chanting anti-west slogans thousands of people marched through main arteries of the metropolis on Sunday in a series of demonstrations against Paris-based satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and expressed anger over the blasphemous caricatures.
According to details, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP) held “Hurmat-e-Rasool Marches” today, where leaders stated that safeguarding the sanctity of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was of the utmost importance and they were willing to sacrifice their lives for it. They urged the Muslim world leaders to call a meeting and chalk out a strategy seeking legislation against blasphemy in other countries.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s “Shan-e-Mustafa Million March” led by JI Chief Siraj-ul-Haq was conducted from Nipa Chowrangi to Hassan Square. Large number of protestors including elderly men, women and children also participated in the Million March. Enthusiastic protestors in the Shan-e-Mustafa March raised party flags, placards, posters and banners inscribed with anti-western and anti-blasphemous slogans. “We condemned the publication of sacrilegious caricatures in western media”, “Blasphemy is terrorism not freedom” - participants shouted loud as they marched.
The leaders of political and religious parties including PML-N, PTI, JUP, JUI-S, JUI-F and people belonging to different walks of life including businessmen, lawyers, doctors, engineers and others were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the “Shan-e-Mustafa Million March” Pakistan Chief Siraj-ul-Haq demanded the Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif to immediately call meetings of Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and all political and religious parties of the country over the publication of sacrilegious caricatures adding that if he failed to do so, then the Jamaat-e-Islami will play its role in arranging the meetings of Muslim countries against the said heinous act.
On the occasion, JI Chief announced that the Jamaat-e-Islami will fight with the western world which is creating hatred through their nefarious designs.
“I have contacted leaders of Islamic movements across the world in Malaysia, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Egypt and called for organising protests against the act “, he added.
“Whenever, Jamaat-e-Islami and other religious parties protest against such publications, why does MQM stand in favour of the west and demand to ban Jamaat-e-Islami”, he questioned.
He appealed to the people of Karachi to stand and continue their protests until France and other European countries beg for pardon.
JI Chief warned the western world to refrain itself from such heinous acts or be ready to face dire consequences, as every Muslim will become Salahuddin Ayubi and Mehmood Ghaznavi.
“Nizam-e-Mustafa should be imposed in the country for better future of the country and to become ideal Islamic state”, he added. He said that the progress of the country is being affected by corruption.
Addressing the gathering, JI Asadullah Bhutto said that millions of people through this March have proved that Karachi is the city of ‘Ghulaman-e-Mustafa’. He demanded PM Nawaz Sharif to immediately call-off foreign ties with France and United States and expel their consul general from the country.
Speaking on the occasion, JI Karachi Chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman saluted Karachi for their participation in the March.
Without taking name of anyone, Hafiz Naeem said that people are well aware of those who carryout targeted killings, extortion and terrorism in Karachi. He termed United States the “biggest terror state”, which is creating anarchy in Pakistan. He rejected the philosophy of western world and said that Jamaat-e-Islami and people of Karachi have accepted the challenge of western and will continue their struggle.
PPP leader Najmi Alam said the entire Muslim Ummah has strongly condemned the act of western media. The leaders of PTI, JUP, JUI-S and President Karachi Bar Council Naeem Qureshi also spoke on the occasion.
On the other hand, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) rally under the leadership of party chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed kicked-off from Safari Park passing from university road, Rashid Minhas road, Stadium road, Newtown and Kashmir Road concluded at Shahrah-e Quaideen. Religious party leaders heighted the issue and warned the west for consequence in case of not extending apology. The protestors carrying party flags and anti-Charlie Hebdo banners chanted slogans against the western for hurting sentiments of the Muslim Ummah.
Addressing the “Hurmat-e-Rasool Yakjehti Rally” JuD chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed said that the government condemning only would not work, the rulers should have to come forward and make effective efforts. He called upon leaders of the Muslims world to chalk out strategy for the legislation against blasphemy in other countries. There will be no world peace if international bodies do not draft laws to prevent blasphemy, he warned.
Lashing out USA President Obama, JuD chief said that the man involved in killing of thousands of Muslims was given warm welcome in Delhi. He said Obama`s visit to India is aimed to strengthen Indian`s defense position against Pakistan while the Obama-Modi unification would destabilise the region. He said that the PM Nawaz Sharif had taken rapid and solid measures after the terrorists attack in Peshawar to eliminate terrorism from the country adding that a similar action is required for sanctity of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Hafiz Saeed further urged the Muslims to play their role and boycott products of the west. He also urged Muslim women to boycott all western cosmetics and others products. We have called the rally to gather Karachiites and inform them about their responsibility, he added.
JuD chief said that Muslims countries should quit United Nation if the international body is not competent enough to play its role in resolving issues adding that Muslims counties having plenty of power and resources were capable to form their own union.
JuD leader Hafiz Abdul Rehman said that the rally was not done for political point scoring and it is a serious issue and time for unity for all Muslims. Our wrong policies and obeisance attitude with Europe allowed them to hatch conspiracies against Islam and Muslims by publications while it has also exposed the dual standard of the west.
Political and religious parties leaders including PML-N`s Saleem Zia, JI`s Asad Ullah Bhutto, JUI-Sami`s Hafiz Ahmed Ali, JUI-Fazal`s Aslam Ghori, JuD Karachi Chief Muzamil Iqbal Qureshi and other spoke on the occasion. They said that western countries were testing the patience of Muslims while they were not aware that Muslims can stand every type of cruelty and brutality but could not bear blasphemous remarks against Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Moreover, Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP) Karachi chapter held a protest rally from Jamia Cloth to Norani Chowakh Numaish against the blasphemous publications. Protestors of the rally condemned the west for allowing such activities and vowed that they are ready to render sacrifice to safeguard the sanctity of the Holy Prophet (SAW). At the end of the rally a Hurmat-e-Rasool “Mustafa conference” was held in which political and religious leaders highlighted the issue and stressed upon Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to call for an emergency meeting of the Muslim rulers to lodge protest with the French government and further to stress upon the United Nations (UN) to frame laws ensuring respect for all the Prophets of God and all the revealed books.