Ag Agencies
KARACHI: The year 2018 will be the year of Palestine’s independence and of an Islamic revolution in Pakistan, said Jamaat-e-Islami chief Senator Siraj-ul-Haq in his address to a rally organised on Sunday to denounce the United States’ decision to officially recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Attended by a large number of participants, including women and children, the rally began from the Nipa Chowrangi and ended at Hasan Square. Siraj also demanded of the coalition forces of Muslim countries, led by Saudi Arabia, to describe its position on the Jerusalem issue. He asked the coalition forces of the Muslim countries to give a clear agenda for the liberation of A-Quds and Kashmir.
Sirajul Haq urged the Muslim Ummah to introduce an Islamic currency and Islamic force to ensure the liberty of Palestine and Kashmir as well as the Muslim bloc of the world. He was optimistic that the year 2018 would be the year of Palestine's freedom. He also assured the participants of the march that the upcoming year would witness a peaceful Islamic revolution in Pakistan. He also assured them that Kashmir will also be freed in the year 2018. He also proposed a joint military of Muslim countries to defend the collective interests of Muslim Ummah. Senator Sirajul Haq said until and unless a single Muslim is present in the world, Baitul Muqaddas could not become the capital of Israel. He said the unity of Muslim Ummah is required for the freedom of Kashmir and Palestine. He said the Muslim Ummah needs a brave leadership for the liberation of Kashmir and Al Quds.
Referring to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a holy site for Muslims located in the Old City of Jerusalem, Haq said Bait-ul-Muqaddas would not be allowed to become a part of Israel till a single Muslim was alive. He asserted that the JI’s protest campaign would continue till the US revokes its decision. US President Donald Trump had, on December 6, officially recognised the disputed city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing the nearly seven-decade long foreign policy of America calling for Israel and Palestine to settle their dispute peacefully.
With the acknowledgement, President Trump had announced moving the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The decision sparked protests in Muslim countries as well as in European and other states which hold liberal political views. These states believe the decision would worsen the condition of the already war-torn Middle East.
In his address, the JI chief said the gathering of people in such a large number had delivered a message to the entire world that people stand with Al Quds – the Arabic name for Jerusalem. Moreover, he also spoke of the Indian-occupied Kashmir and vouched support for its independence too.
“The Muslim world needs a courageous leadership to free Jerusalem and Kashmir,” he said, suggesting that the Islamic countries establish a bloc and form a military and monetary union. “And the bloc must have the liberation of Jerusalem at the top of its agenda,” he added.
Haq opined that the enemies wanted the Muslim youth to forget their duty towards ‘jihad’ – struggle to maintain Islamic rule. “But they must acknowledge that we are willing to lay down our lives rather than letting go of Al Quds,” he said, as some protesters paraded through the rally clad in commando attire.
Talking about the differences between Muslims and their countries, the JI chief said it is a policy of the enemies to pit the followers of one religion against other so as to weaken them. “We won’t succumb to their designs and will continue to fight for the holy city.”
