JI urges civil, military leadership to lead Muslims against Israeli brutalities

ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Amir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman called upon the civil and military leadership of the country to lead Muslims to stop Israel from continuing its brutal acts against the people of Palestine.

Addressing a grand ‘Gaza Solidarity’ march which turned out to be the biggest protest rally in Islamabad’s history, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also warned the Pakistan government against increasing friendly ties with the United States and using any backdoor diplomacy to recognise the Israeli state. “You cannot get respect in the world community by serving the US which is the biggest terrorist and invaded Iraq, Vietnam and Afghanistan and is responsible for killing of Muslims there.”

Naeemur Rehman also advised the ruling party and its allies and the opposition parties that they would also lose respect and popularity among the masses if they continue to please America which has been extending full support to Israelis in illegitimate state’s crimes.

The JI leadership had given a call to march towards the red zone to protest in front of the US embassy. However, the organisers were allowed to stage the march and public meeting on the Islamabad Highway.

Criticising the government for not allowing the march to proceed towards the US Embassy, he said: “The rulers fear the US and Israel. They closed down Islamabad to stop us. But if I give the call now, no one can stop us from reaching the embassy.”

Presence of thousands of women along with their children in a separate enclosure, was the mark of the Gaza Solidarity March and they also joined anti-Israel slogans with the charged crowd.

During his address, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also gave a call for a countrywide strike on April 26 (Saturday) as expression of solidarity with the people of Palestine and denounce brutalities of Israeli forces under the US patronage. “On April 27, we will announce our future course of action and intensify our struggle,” he said.

Other JI leaders including party Secretary General Ameerul Azeem, ex-ameer Sirajul Haq, naib ameers Professor Muhammad Ibrahim, Mian Muhammad Aslam and Dr Attaur Rehman and President of Youth Club Raja Ziaul Haq were also present and addressed the protest march.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that Jamaat had not given calls of protests against the US and Israel for politics rather it was matter of their ‘Eman’ and ‘faith’. “Our ruling elite may be sleeping but the whole Muslim Ummah and Pakistani nation are alive and firmly standing with the people of Palestine and Kashmir,” he said.

He said that Quaid-i-Azam had categorically stated that Israel was an illegitimate child of the West while Liaquat Ali Khan also outright refused to recognise the Israeli state. “It concerns us and the whole nation when a group from Pakistan visited Israel,” he said warning anybody attempting to establish ties with Israel would face the wrath of the nation and would be wiped out.

Naeemur Rehman also asked all the political parties of the country to raise unanimous voice on the issues of Kashmir and Palestine.

He also regretted that the opposition parties were showing weakness in their stand on the Palestine issue. “You are always ready to approach the establishment whenever you face any problem but cannot raise an effective voice for the cause of the Muslim Ummah,” he said.

Naeemur Rehman also appealed to the Pakistan government to establish the office of Hamas in the country saying that Hamas is a democratic force which also won elections in Palestine in 2006.

He declared that Jamaat-e-Islami seeks to send a message of unity and peace, not confrontation, and accused the government of being slaves unwilling to fight for the cause of Palestine and Kashmir.

He said Israeli plans to rebuild the Temple of Solomon must be stopped and stressed the need to pressure the US to halt the war. “Only if America is pressured, Israel will back down.”

Calling the April 26 strike a form of “peaceful jihad,” Naeemur Rehman urged the people to boycott Israeli products, unite for justice and prepare for non-violent resistance. “Jamaat-e-Islami can bring everyone together. If the rulers fail to act, we will return stronger.”

Sirajul Haq said the success of Gaza would be the success of all oppressed nations and urged Pakistan’s government to make its stance clear. “The prime minister represents 250 million people; he must stand with Gaza. Scholars have issued fatwas declaring jihad obligatory — those who do not act on this have no right to rule Pakistan,” he asserted.