Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announces the launch of a nationwide public mobilization campaign in support of Palestinians

LAHORE, April 06 (SABAH): Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has announced the launch of a nationwide public mobilization campaign in support of Palestinians, particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli military brutality in Gaza since Eid. The movement will include protest demonstrations, rallies, and marches toward U.S. embassies and consulates across major and smaller cities.

Addressing a press conference at Mansoora on Sunday, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman stated that Jamaat-e-Islami is temporarily suspending its “Haq Do Awam Ko” campaign and redirecting its efforts entirely toward mobilizing the Pakistani public for Gaza. The campaign begins immediately, with major protests planned across the country.

A protest and march toward the U.S. Consulate in Lahore is scheduled for April 11, a mass rally on Karachi’s Shahrah-e-Faisal will be held on April 13, and a march toward the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is set for April 20.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman appealed to the public to participate in these protests in large numbers to send a clear message to the world—and especially to Pakistan’s rulers—that the Pakistani nation is not for sale and that their bond with the Palestinians is rooted in faith.

He further stated that Jamaat-e-Islami is in contact with Islamic organizations worldwide to observe a global “Day of Strike” for Gaza. Hafiz Naeemur Rehman urged the Pakistani government to send a parliamentary delegation to meet leaders in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Qatar, and other Islamic nations, and to march toward Gaza to break the siege.

“Pakistan must assume a leading role on the Palestine issue,” he stressed. “Tragically, neither the government nor opposition parties have condemned the United States or Israel. All are focused on appeasing Trump. Silence in the face of ongoing atrocities in Gaza is sheer hypocrisy.”

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman dismissed economic excuses for inaction, saying long-entrenched rulers themselves weakened the economy. He warned Arab nations not to assume that their silence will save them, saying, “After Gaza, it will be their turn.”

He condemned the inaction of the Islamic world, which despite having armies, weapons, and resources, remains passive. “A satanic alliance of Trump, Netanyahu, and Modi is targeting Muslims everywhere,” he said, adding that the West’s mask of human rights has fallen. He said the U.S., UK, and EU are backing Israeli terrorism.

Calling on religious scholars including Mufti Taqi Usmani and Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman, he urged them to issue a joint fatwa under the “Ittehad al-Ulama al-Islami” declaring it a religious duty to resist Israeli oppression.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also revealed that he had contacted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding Gaza and would continue to engage with both government and opposition leaders to forge national consensus on the Palestine issue. “The nation can only unite on the basis of Islam,” he emphasized.

He appealed to President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Army Chief General Asim Munir to take meaningful steps in support of Palestine. He also prayed for the swift recovery of President Zardari.

Lamenting the situation in Gaza during Eid, he said that while Muslims worldwide were celebrating, Israeli forces were bombing Palestinian children, who had no choice but to play atop rubble. “The massacre continues with 50 to 100 deaths daily. Women, children, UN workers, doctors, paramedics, and journalists are all being targeted while the world remains disturbingly silent.”

He called on people in KP and northern Punjab to participate in large numbers in the Islamabad march and urged the people of Lahore and Karachi to also turn out in full strength. He appealed to journalists to engage with international media organizations to expose the humanitarian crisis.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman warned that those maligning Hamas in the current situation are acting as tools of Zionist and American agendas. He demanded that any Pakistani who has visited Israel be arrested and questioned over who authorized their visit. He called on the government to issue a clarification on the matter.