KARACHI: The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) will stage a rally on Friday to demand an end to ‘propaganda’ against seminaries and campaign for Saudi Arabia’s defence in case of aggression against the kingdom by rebels in Yemen.

This was announced by JUI-F leaders Maulana Rashid Mahmood Soomro and Qari Mohammad Usman while addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday.

The ‘Tahaffuz-i-Harmain Sharifain’ and ‘Tahaffuz-i-Madaris’ rally, which would start from Sohrab Goth and end near the Tibet Centre intersection, was expected to be attended by thousands of people, they claimed.

Maulana Soomro said: “The rally would prove that the people of Pakistan want to defend Harmain Sharifain even at the cost of their lives.

“It’s not just a JUI-F demand but the nation’s voice that Harmain Sharifain remain safe and intact. The rally would be addressed by key party leaders who would reaffirm their support for Saudi Arab,” he added.

He said the rally was also meant to bring into the limelight the recent ‘propaganda’ against seminaries facilitating a crackdown against them. After the 18th Amendment, he said, certain quarters in the garb of war against militants wanted to target seminaries ignoring their contribution towards building a learned society.

“One should know about the centuries-old contribution of our Madaris in building society and characters of individuals. What is the logic behind sealing of 400 seminaries across Sindh? Generalising all seminaries as a source of terrorism is unjustified. The rally of Karachi people will manifest this truth,” said Maulana Soomro.

He said the JUI-F had also asked the chief minister for speedy and conclusive investigation into the killing of senior party leader Maulana Khalid Mahmood Soomro as well as the withdrawal of FIRs against the clerics who had been booked under the Loudspeakers Act.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2015

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