ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) on Tuesday staged a protest demonstration against republication of blasphemous sketches of the holy Prophet (SAW) in France under the garb of freedom of expression.

Condemning the publication of blasphemous caricatures, a large number of activists of the JUI-F and students of various seminaries staged a protest rally outside the National Press Club. The protesters were holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the blasphemous act and the government of France. Protesters urged the government to end trade and diplomatic ties with France, and call back ambassador of Pakistan from France. The participants of the protest asked the Muslim Ummah to forge unity and "take a unified stand against the Zionist forces for hurting sentiments of the Muslims".

Protesters also strongly condemned the terrorist attack at the Jamia Zuberia madressah in Peshawar's Dir Colony in which around eight people were killed and over 100 have been injured.

Maulana Abdul Majeed Hazarvi, president JUI Islamabad and Maulana Tanveer Alvi spoke on the occasion. They urged all the Muslims to boycott French goods and show their love for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). They said that promoting hate against any religion or community was not freedom of speech. The principal of freedom of expression and speech should be clarified, they said, adding that blasphemous cartoons caused serious unrest among the Muslims. They asked the French government to seek apology for hurting the sentiments of Muslims across the world.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed on the occasion in order to avert any untoward incident.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020