LAHORE: Protests across Pakistan against French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on Sunday raged as thousands of people in all major cities chanted slogans against the printing of blasphemous caricatures.
A large number of people on Sunday attended the Hurmat-e-Rasool (SAW) March held on the call of Jamaat-ud-Daawa to condemn the publication of blasphemous caricatures in France. The marchers unanimously voiced for complete ban and boycott of French products in Pakistan, demanding the government to form a separate United Nations if the UN failed to make any legislation against the blasphemous caricatures.
The march, which started from Nasir Bagh and concluded near the Masjid-e-Shuhada, Mall Road, was addressed by JuD Ameer Hafiz Saeed as well as other leaders of the religious group, including Prof Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, Allama Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer, Allama Zubair Ahmed Zaheer, Syed Zia Ullah Shah, Hafiz Abdul Ghaffar Ropri and others.
The JuD leadership also announced to hold marches, rallies and demonstrations in other parts of the country on Friday, January 23, against the blasphemous caricatures. A grand march on January 25 in Karachi was also announced.
Addressing the gathering, the JuD Ameer said it was the time to boycott French products and participate in the movement in support of Hurmat-e-Rasool (SAW) with full fervour. The JuD Ameer stated that in Pakistan, government, army and political parties did legislation to set up military courts for eliminating terrorism.
However, he stated that blasphemy is the worst kind of terrorism and all measures should be taken to eliminate it. He said if the European Union could come into existence, why not Muslim states could form a joint defence system, currency and court of justice.
Hafiz Saeed urged the need to set aside differences and exhibit unity in our ranks against blasphemy and rise to protect ‘Hurmat-e-Rasool’ (SAW).
He said the rulers must call a meeting of the OIC and
rather than bowing to the United States, they must learn to stand on their feet. He also demanded legislation at global level against blasphemy and demanded that rulers must separate themselves from the United Nations if the body failed to do so. The JuD Ameer also warned rulers of Allah’s wrath if they continued to receive loans with interests for making the national budget but didn’t raise their voice against blasphemy.
He also said it was a real test for the more than one billion Muslims around the globe as to what role they would play now in safeguarding ‘Hurmat-e-Rasool’ (SAW). The march was attended by people from different walks of life who chanted slogans against Charlie Hebdo, the French journal which published the blasphemous caricatures.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Assembly is likely to move a resolution against the blasphemous sketches on Monday (today).