New Delhi: 06 January 2009 Coordination Committee of Indian Muslims – a consortium of more than ten major Indian Muslims' organizations including Jamaat-e-Islami protested here at Jantar Mantar against the Israeli aggression on the unarmed and innocent Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Speaker were that united that it is not just the fight of Muslims but of the whole humanity. It is a fight against the imperialistic and capitalistic policies of Israel with the backing of the United States of America. All of the peace loving nations and individuals must stand united against Israel. The Muslims of India must immediately boycott Israeli and US products. Speakers also urged the Arab League and the Arab rulers to come forward to help Palestinians of Gaza.
Jyotsna of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was of the view, "The fight in the Palestine is our fight, the fight of our Indians. We have to oppose this illegitimate act of state terror from Israel". Referring to the terrorism in our country and the way Muslims of India are being targeted Jyotsna said, "Today the ghost of terrorism is being imposed on the common man of our nation. The Muslims are being made scapegoats for the state's terror. Recently two innocent Muslim students have been killed by the Police. We had protested then as well as this place. Today again we have gathered here to show our disapproval of the Israel's policies. It's also a show our solidarity with the Palestinians".
Mr. Naved Hamid said, "I salute all of you who have come here to show solidarity with the Palestinians. We have to raise voice against this repression of the Palestinians by the terrorist state of Israel". Sharply criticizing the Muslims rulers of the Arab World for their inaction Mr. Hamid observed, "It appears all of them (Muslim rulers) are in tacit understanding with Israel for its massacre of the Palestinians". Explaining the future course of action Mr. Hamid told, "We should not end here itself rather we have to move forward from here (Jantar Mantar) and demonstrate in front of the Embassies of the Arab countries, League of Arab Nations and the Headquarters of the United Nations".
Secretary and Spokesman of Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind (JUH) Maulana Abdul Hameed Nomani opined, "All of the peace loving nations of the world condemn Israel's aggression". He asked the government of India to "revert back to its foreign policy and stop inching towards Israel. Indian government must immediately scrap all diplomatic ties with Israel". Maulana Nomani insisted, "Those who cannot make it Palestine I request them pray for them here itself". He called upon the Arab countries to end all relations with Israel and boycott Israeli and US products. "Taking leaf from Iran Arab Countries should follow and see the US eyeball to eyeball", recommended he. "From the Israel's attitude it is conspicuous that Israel and Mossad agents have penetrated deep into the Arab countries", opined he. Mentioning the ungratefulness of the Jews Maulana Nomani recalled, "When the Jews were being persecuted in various parts of the world including Europe Muslim and Arab countries gave refuge to them. Now these ungrateful Jews are attacking and killing the same people who have helped them in their time of distress". He stressed for reciting Qunoot-i-Nazila regularly.
Quoting the Quranic verse General Secretary of All India Milli Council (AIMC) Maulana Abdul Wahhab Khilji emphasized, "Whenever a Momin loses any thing or is in grief he or she utters everything belongs to Allah and will go back to Him". He termed absolutely "unjust" Israel's attacks and the fight back by the Palestinians as 'Jehad'. "There is no doubt that the US and Israel are terrorist states. The vanguard of peace and secularism is applying double standards on the issue of terrorism". "If Arab countries cannot oppose Israel then every Muslim of the rest of the world including India is with he Palestinians. We pledge our support to them". He pleaded for an all out support to the Palestinians by donating blood, supplying relief material etc.
Former President of Aligarh Muslim University Students' Union (AMUSU) and Member Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Mohammad Adeeb was looking visibly dismayed over the fact that on the land of Gandhi the Indian government has remained a silent spectator over the Israeli barbarism. "It is utterly ironic that we are standing on the land of Gandhi yet finding ourselves hapless and helpless. It seems that the Indian government is also not respecting the Gandhian principles of non-violence by not condemning the Israeli government for its attacks on unarmed and innocent Palestinians", complained he. Taking a critical posture against the Indian government attitude Mr. Adeed directed it to ask Israel "either to stop aggression or shut down its embassy in New Delhi". He further added, "Let us ask Indian government to stop all ties with Israel. Let us say to the Arab countries that if you maintain ties with the US and Israel then we are going to scrap all of our ties with you".
President of All India Muslim Majlis Mushawarat (AIMMM) and editor of Milli Gazette Dr. Zaafrul Islam Khan noted, "We have gathered here not as Muslims but as Indians and human beings. Israel is out to destroy Palestine. The real issue is of Israeli occupation and Israel is not relenting". Shedding light on the life in Gaza Dr. Khan pointed out, "Gaza Strip is one the most densely populated region the world. At a stretch of just 350 sq. km of area more than 15 lakh people reside. The Israeli have blockaded the area for the last two and have cut off power supply and no essential commodities are available". Giving details of the casualties in the Gaza Strip since the Israeli attacks he disclosed, "Till today morning more than 560 Palestinians including innocent children and women have been killed and nearly 3000 persons have been injured. It is actually the US and not the Israel who is attacking".
Father Dominique Emmanuel read out the message of the Archbishop Vincent condemning the Israeli attack on the Palestinians. "My presence is evident enough that it is a fight of all the Indian people". Commenting on the policies of the US administration Fr. Dominique revealed, "Actually, the Economic and Foreign policies of the US are designed by the Jews. Therefore, it is obvious they are heavily loaded in favour of the Jews". Maryam Fatima of St. Stephens College underlined, "Our fight does not end here. This is just the beginning. We have to fight till the end". She advised the Muslims not consider themselves week. "We should not undermine the strength of masses because it will bring the change sooner or later". The demonstrators were holding anti Israel placards and raised slogans against the US, Israel, UN, Indian government and Arab countries. Afterwards, they took out a protest march from Jantar Mantar till the Parliament Street Police station. The demonstration ended with the collective Dua by Maulana Abdul Wahhab Khilji. Dr. S.Q.R. Ilyas, Member of Central Advisory Council, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind was coordinating the protest. |
