Religious and political parties took out protest rallies and staged demonstration in the provincial metropolis, here on Friday to strongly condemn desecration of the Holy Quran by a American pastor in Florida Church and release of US citizen Raymond Davis, who killed two Pakistanis.
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JI) arranged a protest demonstration outside Mansoora. The participants were carrying flags, placards and banners inscribed with slogans against Terry Jones and the US. They also chanted slogans against the priests and demanded punishment for his heinous act of burning the Holy Quran. Ameer-ul-Azeem, Hafiz Sajid Anwar, Nazeer Ahmed Janjua and Zakrullah Mujahid led the demonstration, which was largely attended by party activists.
The Ameer-ul-Azeem said the desecration of the Holy Quran is a heinous crime against Islam and the Muslims around the world. "The western people teach broad mindedness to others but in fact they are intolerant themselves. The Christian priests, bishops and people know nothing about Islam, which is the universal religion of love, peace and brotherhood. The churches even don't know the teachings of Christianity, as these teaching can never allow any follower to disrespect other religions," he added.
In Lahore, Tehreek Hurmat-e-Rasool (PBUH) held a big rally, which started from Faisal Chowk. The participants were carrying flags inscribed with Kalima Tayyaba and placards and banners written with slogans against Terry Jones and the US. They also chanted slogans against the US, Florida Church priests and the rulers for freeing Raymond Davis. They also burnt the US flags and effigies of Terry Jones and Wyne Sapp. Addressing the participants, JUI-F leader, Maulana Amjad Khan said the US and the West were creating restlessness in the world by allowing blasphemy and the burning of the Holy Quran. He also condemned the US ambassador for issuing statement that US Constitution allows freedom of expression.
Nazim-e-Ala Jamiat Ahle Hadith, Ibtesam Elahi Zaheer said it was a pity that the NGOs getting dollars from the US were silent over the tragic incident of burning of the Holy Quran. Saif-ud-Din Saif said that the churches in the US were converting into mosques, which is a solid proof of truth of the Holy Quran and Islam.
Tehrik-e-Insaaf Pakistan Chief, Imran Khan led a big rally from Icchhra to Mozang Chungi (Cardoba Chowk) to protest the release of US citizen Raymond Davis. He asked the government to immediately get the drone attacks stopped otherwise the PTI would stage a three-day sit-in on the road from where Nato trucks pass in Peshawar. He said the rulers were showing apathy to the killing of a large number of Pakistanis in drone attacks. "Time has come to liberate the country from the slaves of the US," he added. Khan also criticised the government for freeing Davis. "It was a fixed match. The blood of Pakistanis is being sold," he concluded.