ISLAMABAD, Feb 10: Protest demonstrations and rallies against the publication of blasphemous cartoons in a Danish and some Western newspapers continued on Friday with calls for severing diplomatic and trade ties with the countries where this incident occurred.

The protests were organized by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, Jamiat Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and Aalmi Majlis Tahafuz-i-Khatam-i-Nabuwat and joined by thousands of people from every walk of life. The protesters were carrying banners and placards inscribed with statements against the publication of cartoons.

The main procession originated from Masjid Darul Islam in G- 6/2 and marched up to Aabpara Chowk. On the way, protesters from Lal Masjid and other mosques also joined the procession.

At Aabpara Chowk, the demonstration turned into a big rally that was addressed by a number of MNAs, religious leaders and others. The highly charged protesters burnt the Danish prime minister in effigy. However, they remained peaceful all through.

While the MNA from Islamabad, Mian Aslam, was the moving spirit behind these demonstrations, several other MNAs including Maulana Attaur Rehman, Qari Gul Rehman, Bukhtiar Mani, MPA from NWFP Tajul Amin Jabal and local ulema Maulana Nazir Farooqi, Maulana Abdul Haleem Qasmi, Maulana Zahoor Ahmad Alvi, Hamid Raza Bhatti, Mian Ramzan and others also spoke on the occasion.

In their speeches, ulema and MNAs warned that failure to check a repeat of such sacrilegious acts in future could lead to a third world war. They called for convening an urgent meeting of the OIC to discuss the issue and take necessary steps to prevent its occurrence in future.

The speakers demanded that the Muslim countries should cut off diplomatic and trade relations with the countries which failed to prevent the caricaturing of the personality of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Our correspondent from Taxila adds: The participants of a rally brought out against publication of blasphemous caricatures in some European newspapers blocked G.T. Road for over two hours, suspending traffic flow.

The rally, which was participated by over 5,000 people from different walks of life, started from Railway Road soon after Friday prayers.

The protesters were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the governments of Norway, Denmark and other European countries.

The participants assembled at Taxila Chowk where different religious, political, social and student leaders spoke to them.

Former MPA Umar Farooq, PPP Taxila President Malik Najeebur Rehman, social leader Faisal Iqbal, IJT Taxila/Wah Cantonment President Saad Khan and Maulana Ghulam Sarwar spoke on the occasion.

The local leaders said western countries had exacerbated the issue by deliberately publishing the caricatures which spoke of their anti-Muslim attitude.

They said feelings of the entire Muslim world had been hurt by the blasphemous images, adding that European countries should apologize to the Muslim world.

Our correspondent from Chakwal adds: Different religious organizations on Friday staged a peaceful protest against the publication of sacrilegious caricatures of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in different European newspapers.

Rallies that were brought out from Dhakoo Road, Sarpak, Masoodabad and other parts of the city converged on Bhaun Chowk after Friday prayers. Thousands of protesters carried banners and placards inscribed with anti-US and European slogans.

Speaking at the rally, MMA Chakwal President Sahibzada Abdul Qudoos Naqshbandi said: “Being rulers of an Islamic state they ought to have registered a strong protest but they did not.”