The controversial blasphemous film against Islam that has irked Muslims across the world also resulted in several protests across the twin cities on Friday, with demonstrators demanding the expulsion of US ambassador and cutting off ties with the US.
A large protest rally organized by Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal, Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan and Ahle-Sunnat Waljamat was taken out from Lal Masjid after the Friday prayers towards the Lal Masjid Chowk.
The rally was led by Gen (r) Hamid Gul, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, Maulana Zubair Farooq, Maulana Abdul Rauf and Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and was attended by hundreds of angry demonstrators who chanted slogans against the US and Israel.
Addressing the rally, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed said the movie was supported by the US, and it was trying to provoke extremism by using various tactics.
He said Muslims were victimized through various tactics of drones, insurgency, armed aggression, blasphemous caricatures and now through the anti-Islam film.
He said the controversial film was an attempt to provoke the sentiments of the Muslim community and to test their patience, however, no one would compromise on the issue as it was a matter of their faith and belief.
Gen (r) Hamid Gul said the recent move by the US was part of a crusade that was announced by former US president Bush, under which US troops landed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Gul said jihad against the US was the only solution to counter the aggression against Islam and the Muslim Ummah.
He warned the West and US to not under estimate Muslims across the globe, saying that would prove a major mistake on behalf of the American leadership.
Maulana Zubair from Jamaat-e-Islami demanded the US government ban the movie and the Interior Ministry lodge a protest with the US ambassador.
Farooq said the film should be banned across the world and the filmmakers should be severely punished, adding that the US should apologies for the film. Ahle-e-Sunnat Waljamat leader Maulana Abdur Rauf pointed out towards an international US-led conspiracy against the country.
Declaring the arrival of the UN working group on Human Rights team in Islamabad part of the conspiracy, Rauf rejected the commission and its working in Pakistan, fearing it would defame the image of the country abroad.
Hundreds of activists from Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) also assembled outside Imambargah Asna Ashari G-6/2 and took out a protest rally towards the American embassy.
Led by Allama Amin Shaheedi, Allama Ejaz Bhishti, Allama Asghar Askari and other Shia clerics, the protesters held flags, banners and placards inscribed with slogans gracing victory of Islam and Holy Prophet (PBUH) and condemning the continuous US and EU campaigns of blasphemous acts.
At Aabpara Chowk that is inside the Red Zone, police and law enforcement agencies tried to restrict the marchers from marching ahead and baton charged them to stop their march towards the US embassy.
Despite the baton charge and teargas shelling, the protestors managed to break through the hurdles and reached the Serena Hotel, where they held a loud protest.
Addressing protestors, Allama Amin Shaheedi denounced the US where the blasphemous film was produced by a Jew with backing of the Jewish community.
Calling the rally start of a major protest movement, he alleged that the US embassy was being used for spying rather diplomatic activities, adding that the “US ambassador should be ousted and should not be here anymore”.
Jamaatud Dawa also staged a protest rally against the controversial movie in Sector I-8, demanding the government cut off ties with United States, ban the movie and called for punishment to the film makers.
