JUI-F slams Israel, demands peace, democracy in massive Hyderabad rally

HYDERABAD: Addressing a massive Difa-e-Pakistan and Israel Murdaabad Million March in Hyderabad, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) Ameer Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly condemned the Israeli aggression, criticized the role of international powers and called for genuine democracy and peace in Pakistan.

Congratulating the participants of what he called a “historic and unprecedented gathering,” Fazlur Rehman stated, “The sight in Hyderabad today is like a galaxy of people stretching beyond the horizon.” He said similar gatherings by JUIF are taking place across the country and recalled successful rallies in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar.

Fazlur Rehman declared that the world was engulfed in war and unrest, with Muslim nations burning under the fire of aggression. “We are not the advocates of war, we are the ambassadors of peace,” he said. Calling Israel a “cancer within the Islamic world,” he blamed the British Empire for planting this “dagger” whose wound still bleeds.

He cited the long list of Israeli atrocities from the occupation of Gaza and Jordan with US backing, to the 1982 Lebanon invasion where 20,000 were reportedly killed, to the ongoing assault on Gaza with over 60,000 martyrs, many of them women and children. “Netanyahu is a war criminal,” Fazlur Rehman said, referring to the ICC’s warrant. “How long will humanity sleep?”

He invoked the words of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, calling Israel the illegitimate child of British imperialism, and warned, “Today, it’s Palestine, tomorrow it could be Pakistan or Saudi Arabia.” He declared if there is any aggression toward the Holy Mosques, every Muslim will rise.

He affirmed solidarity with Iran, saying, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Iran not just by condemning the attack but announcing our support.

Fazlur Rehman spared no words for Pakistan’s current leadership. “There is no public government in Pakistan today. If there is to be peace in this country, JUIF must be in power,” he asserted. He accused that the governments in Sindh, Balochistan, and KP are either bought or sold.

Those who overturn public mandates are the biggest enemies of Pakistan, he said, rejecting the role of the establishment in electoral politics.

Referring to the recent budget, he mocked the situation, saying, “Zardari sahib asked Shehbaz Sharif why he wasn’t consulted on the budget. Shehbaz replied, ‘Who consulted me?”

He also criticised the lack of governance in conflict-hit provinces, particularly KP and Balochistan, stating that no writ of government exists there.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that when it came to the defense of the nation, we set aside all our differences. He said JUIF was the first to respond to India’s recent aggression, and vowed that the party will continue to stand up for Pakistan’s sovereignty and the rights of the Muslim Ummah.

He concluded with a promise that on July 17 in Karachi, JUIF will again demonstrate its commitment to peace, justice, and democratic values.