People protest against publication of sacrilegious sketches

Rawalpindi
People belonging to different walks of life here on Thursday organised a protest rally against publication of sacrilegious sketches by a French magazine, 'Charlie Hebdo', and demanded of the United Nations (UN) to act against such activities.
The participants of the rally marched from Sarafa Bazaar to Liaquat Bagh to condemn the publication of blasphemous sketches. The participants, including members of civil society, JI leaders, representatives of Rawalpindi Traders Welfare Association and minority groups, carried placards and banners and chanted slogans to express their love, devotion and spiritual attachment with the Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (peace be upon him).
Police and other law enforcement agencies cordoned off the whole area, including College Road. Police and traffic wardens blocked traffic at College Road to avoid any untoward incident during the rally. Meanwhile, majority of businessmen closed down their shops in Raja Bazaar, College Road and Liaquat Road. Addressing the participants, religious scholars and traders stressed upon all political parties to prepare a draft in the parliament, so that the issue of blasphemous sketches could be raised at the UN through the Organisation of Islamic Conference platform. They said some elements in European countries are deliberately trying to hurt the sentiments of the Muslims in an attempt to spread unrest in their states, adding Muslim countries, including Pakistan, are already facing the menace of terrorism.
Addressing the gathering, speakers said that Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a blessing for the whole world, who preached peace and brotherhood. They said some international powers wanted to sabotage peace in the Muslim world and were promoting insurgencies for their petty gains.
Addressing on the occasion, the angry protesters criticised the western regimes for backing the misdeed done by the French weekly magazine in the name of freedom of expression.
The Muslims can tolerate every atrocity but cannot bear disrespect of their Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), they added.