Rallies slam US decision on Jerusalem

LAHORE: Thousands of people from all walks of life took to the streets on Friday to protest against US President Trump for acknowledging occupied Jerusalem as Israel’s new capital. Burning Trump’s effigy, portrait and US flags, they demanded the government to sever ties with Washington and call urgent meeting of OIC to evolve joint strategy of all Muslim states.

Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Senator Sirajul addressing the rally on Mall Road through phone, said Trump’s decision was an alarm bell for entire Muslim world and tantamount to rubbing salt on the wounds of the Muslim Ummah already facing bloodshed and religious hatred. He warned that Trump and USA would have to face the consequences of this dangerous move. He called upon the Muslim rulers to shun cowardice and show courage against USA and its President. He said liberation of Baitul Maqaddas from Zionist occupation was an issue of life and death for the Muslim world.

He praised China, Britain, Russia, Germany, France and other countries which demonstrated a positive attitude by rejecting Trump’s decision. He urged Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to attend the Rabita Alam-e-Islami meeting as a spokesman for the nation.

JuD ameer Hafiz Saeed while addressing Chauburji public meeting, announced launching a massive countrywide movement for the protection of Bait-ul-Muqaddas. He urged all Muslim countries to sever diplomatic ties with USA. “Meeting of Islamic Summit Conference should be called in Pakistan and a very strong message of unity on this extremely sensitive issue be sent by the Muslim leadership around the world,” he said. He called the US move beginning of a looming, catastrophic upcoming war. He said, “By calling a joint session of parliament, a very strong message should be given from Pakistan regarding the Qibla-e-Awwal.” He said a meeting of Defence of Pakistan Council (DPC) was being held this week to evolve future strategy.

Tanzim Islami ameer Hafiz Akif Saeed while delivering Friday sermon, said the US decision to relocate its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem is a matter of grave concern and severe distress for the Islamic World. He warned that Zionist Jews were, in fact, using the US to rapidly materialise their plans of creating a “Greater Israel”.

JI naib ameer Hafiz Muhammad Idrees, delivering Friday sermon at Mansoora masjid and later addressing rally at The Mall, said Zionists had captured Jerusalem in violation of international laws. He said Palestine and Kashmir had been under the occupation of the Zionists and the Hindus for the last 70 years due to the non-implementation of the UN resolutions.

Tehrik Labbaik Ya Rasoolallah, Sunni Tehrik, and Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith also held different rallies and demonstrations.

Lawyers: The black coats on Friday strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s decision to accept Jerusalem as capital of Israel rather than Palestine and termed it ‘a step to violence’ in the entire region.

The lawyers wore black bands, chanted slogans against the US and took part in the general house meeting held by the Lahore High Court Bar Association to show solidarity with Palestinians. Addressing the meeting, the lawyer leaders said Trump’s decision is against peace and open violation of the fundamental rights of the Palestinians and international law. Trump did not even think about the world’s resistance to his decision of accepting Jerusalem as part of Israel, they said. They said it is time for the Muslim Ummah to get united against Israel as it is the only solution left to deal with the issue and freedom of Palestinians. “It is a matter of few days if the Muslim leaders get united on the issue,” said Bar President Zulfiqar Chaudhry and Finance Secretary Zaheer Butt while addressing the general house packed with lawyers. They urged the Muslims to shun their petty differences and develop unity among them for their survival with dignity in the world.

The office-bearers decided to translate the proceedings of the house into English and send it to the United Nations Organisation to record their concerns and protest against the nefarious designs of the US president. On the other hand, the Lahore Bar Association members announced holding strike today (Saturday) to condemn the US President Trump over his decision.

Religious bodies: District government has asked religious organisations and personalities to remain peaceful during their protests against US decision of accepting Bait-ul-Muqaddas as capital of Israel. Lahore Deputy Commissioner Sumair Ahmed Syed on Friday conducted a district peace committee meeting to review the protests in metropolitan city after American acceptance of Bait–ul-Muqaddas as Israel’s capital. The meeting was participated by religious scholars of all sects and members of district peace committee. During the meeting, religious scholars strongly condemned the US act. The deputy commissioner, while addressing the meeting, said that no doubt protests after US acceptance of Bait-ul-Muqaddas as capital of Israel was natural but protest should be peaceful and there must be no damage to public or private properties of the citizens and there should be no burning of tyres on roads.