Protest rally staged against blasphemous cartoons
KARACHI, March 23: A rally was staged at the Regal Chowk here on Sunday to protest against the publication of blasphemous caricatures in Danish newspapers. The rally was organised by the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) in its ongoing campaign against what it called, indulgence of western press in blasphemy in the name of press freedom.
Addressing the participants of the rally, JI leader Mohammad Hussain Mehanti deplored the Danish government for failing to stop such attacks on Islam. He said that the indifferent attitude adopted by the Danish government proved that it was pursuing an anti-Islam policy. “Muslims can not allow anyone to attack their religion and faith in the name of freedom of expression,” he declared.
The protesters torched Danish flag at the venue of the rally and marched up to the Karachi Press Club. They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against Danish government and press, besides calls for severing diplomatic ties with Denmark and expulsion of its ambassador.
JI leaders at the rally expressed their shock over the repeated publication of blasphemous caricatures in the Danish press and said the act had deeply hurt the feelings of Muslim community around the world. They also deplored heads and various Muslim states and governments for keeping silence on the issue.
Criticising Gen Pervez Musharraf particularly in this regard, they expressed the hope that the new government in Islamabad would take up the issue of blasphemy with the Danish government.
Conference
JI leaders Mohammad Hussain Mehanti, Nasrullah Khan Shaji, Taufiquddin, Usman Farooq, Tahir Junaid and Khalid spoke at a conference titled “Tahaffuz-i-Namoos-i-Risalat Conference” held at the PIA Township.
They said that in the backdrop of the clash of civilisations, the anti-Islam campaigns being encouraged by the West and patronized by the US deserves condemnation in strongest words.
Source: Dawn
Date:3/24/2008
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