Islamabad police arrested 25 protestors of Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) on Friday as they had tried to encircle the US embassy during a protest against the government’s silence on the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) rights function, held at the US Embassy in Islamabad on June 26.
Protesting students faced resistance and were beaten up by police and security officials as they intended to march towards the US embassy, resulting in injuries to 25 IJT protestors and four police officials. In addition, over 20 IJT activists were held and detained in Aabpara Police Station.
A heavy contingent of police and anti-terrorists squad had been deployed to avert any untoward incident. Protesters burnt the US flag and called for jihad against the United States.
The protest turned violent when IJT activists tried to break the barricades and marched towards the US embassy. Police baton-charged the protesters and fired tear gas to disperse them.
In retaliation, IJT activists pelted stones at the police. After a lengthy confrontation, protesters dispersed and later blocked the Seventh Avenue.
Protesters said the US is now trying to draw social differences in the country after its political and military interference.
On the occasion, IJT vowed to continue their protest unless the government asked for public apology from the US ambassador Cameron Munter.
They said the “gay rights protecting party” was against Islamic and moral values and claimed that worthless matters had been highlighted by the US after the Hadood Ordinance.
They said the US wants to create social misbalances in society.
“It is a cultural terrorism. They want to turn Muslims immoral like themselves,” Bilal Ahmad one of the protestor said. He said it is an assault on our Islamic culture and must be condemned.
Mohammad Usma, another IJT activist, was severely injured during the protest. He said the protest was peaceful but the government was against anti-US protests, he alleged.
“We will continue to protest unless the government takes notice of anti-Islamic activities,” Usman said while talking to this scribe.
Protestors believed the US had destroyed Pakistan physically, imposed the so-called war on terrorism and had now unleashed cultural terrorism. “Being a Muslim state, Pakistan follows Islamic rules and regulations, which strictly forbids gay, lesbian marriages and celebrations,” they said.
Talking to Pakistan Today, IJT secretary information Muhammad Osama warned the government that further damages will be inflicted if the arrested activists were not released within 24 hours,” he said.
