PESHAWAR
In a powerful display of solidarity, hundreds of women and children took to the streets of Peshawar on Wednesday as part of a “Save Gaza” march organized by the women’s wing of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).
The demonstrators condemned Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza and denounced U.S. support for what speakers described as a brutal campaign of violence against Palestinian civilians.
On the call of Ameer JI Pakistan, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman a protest, which began at the Hashtnagri and proceeded along the city’s busy GT Road before culminating at the Ashraf Road commercial hub, drew large crowds holding Palestinian flags, placards, and banners.
Many bore slogans decrying Israel’s airstrikes and criticizing the international community’s silence. In a symbolic gesture, children at the front of the procession carried mock coffins wrapped in white shrouds, representing Palestinian children killed in the conflict.
Leading the march were senior JI leaders, including Abdul Wasi, Ameer Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Central, Bahrullah Khan,Ameer Peshawar district, former parliamentarians, members of the women’s wing, and other party officials also joined the procession.
The protest also condemned Israel’s recent resumption of airstrikes during the holy month of Ramadan, following a short-lived ceasefire aimed at facilitating a prisoner exchange with Hamas. “Gaza is now gasping for its last breath,” Bahrullah Khan said.
Criticism was also directed at Muslim-majority governments for what the speakers called “criminal silence” in the face of repeated violations of ceasefire agreements.
They warned that if the U.S. fails to restrain Israel, JI will stage an indefinite sit-in protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad on April 20.
