Hundreds of Shiites on Friday staged two big demonstrations in Multan to observe the "Youme-al-Quds" to condemn the United States and Israeli aggression. Participants shouted slogans, "Down with America," "Down with Jews," "We vow to liberate Palestine." They also burnt the US flag.
A rally was also organised by Imamia Students Federation (ISO) from Shah Gardez to Chowk Ghanta Ghar. The rally was led by Maulana Iqtidar Hussain Naqvi, Syed Tahir Hussain Naqvi, Syed Naveed Hashmi, ISP president Ali Faraz, Nadir Hussain Alvi. Another demonstration was staged in Suraj-Miani led by Allama Ali Raza, Allama Noor Hashmi, Sibt-ul-Hassan, Shamim Abbasi.
People of southern Punjab observed Jumatul Wida, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramazan, with traditional religious fervour and solemnity. Millions of fasting people offered Friday prayers at mosques and prayer grounds. Jumatul Wida has a special significance since it is a prelude to the departure of holy month of Ramazan and considered the harbinger of the end of the showering of divine blessings that characterise the holy month. Holy Prophet (PBUH) also stressed the sanctity of this day.
All large and small mosques across the southern Punjab were tastefully decorated with illuminations and buntings and mosque administrations made special arrangements to accommodate the extraordinary number of worshippers and to provide them with extra space outside mosques. Tents were erected outside mosques to create additional space. However, despite these arrangements, the large number of people offered prayers on roads on rugs, bed sheets etc.
Special security arrangements were made to ensure safety of people offering prayers inside mosques. Uniformed and plainclothes police personnel were deployed around mosques and other sensitive areas. Security agencies were been put on high alert. Arrangements were made to maintain regular flow of traffic on roads leading to mosques and prayers grounds.
Imams and Khateebs in their sermons stressed upon Muslims to purify their souls through greater dedication to prayer, seek forgiveness of Almighty Allah and being kind to fellow beings.
Ulema and religious leaders urged greater Muslim unity and call for making joint struggle for emancipation of Muslim world from the authority of colonial powers and Baitul Muqaddas from the clutches of Israel. They also emphasises the importance of maintaining unity and sectarian harmony, asking people to beware of miscreants and anti-state elements who want to create animosity and hatred among followers of different schools of thoughts.
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