Students protest persistent closure of Lal Masjid

Seminary students and residents of G-6 Islamabad on Friday held protest demonstration against the continuous closure of Lal Masjid since the bloody 'Operation Silence' on May 12, in front of the mosque and demanded immediate release of former Khateeb Maulana Abdul Aziz.
The protesters were carrying banners and placard inscribed with slogans against government and President Musharraf. Castigating the government for conducting operation against the Jamia Hafsa and Lal Masjid, the demanded immediate enforcement of Sharia.
It is to be mentioned here that the mosque was reopened on July 27 for Friday prayers, following Maulana Ashfaq appointment as new Khateeb, but the move was not accepted by the seminary students and they forced him to leave the mosque before leading the Juma prayers. Since then the government has closed the mosque.
The protesting seminary students also took out a rally from Aabpara Chowk to Lal Masjid, who try to enter the mosque to offer Juma prayer. But they were stopped at the roadside near the mosque by the law enforcement agencies.
Heavy contingents of law enforcement agencies including Islamabad and Punjab police were deployed in and around the mosque to avert any untoward incident. All the roads leading to the mosque were blocked by erecting barbed wire at the entry points.
The protestors resorted to severe sloganeering against General Musharraf and the government. As they were not allowed to enter in the mosque for offering prayer, they offered Juma prayers on the main road in front of the mosque.
Nasir Aftab, Superintendent Islamabad Police assured the protesters that the mosque would be reopened before the next Friday for which the government, Ume-Hasaan, the former Principal of the Jamia Hafsa and a newly formed residents committee had held a meeting the other day.
He opined that name of the Khateeb and the colour of the mosque would also be finalised with the mutual consent of all the stakeholders. Later, MNA Shah Abdul Aziz and former seminary students also joined the protesters and addressed the rally.
Aziz vowed to carry on the mission of late Ghazi Abdul Rasheed and would enforce Sharia in the country. He demanded of the government to release Maulana Abdul Aziz, re-open Lal Masjid and enforce Sharia in the country. He accused the government for using delaying tactics in re-opening the mosque, which was main demand of the residents and seminary students of Lal Masjid. Later on the protestors dispersed peacefully.