More Pak protests against US airstrike
About 8,000 Islamic hard-liners yesterday protested a US missile strike that targeted al-Qaeda leaders in a Pakistani village, chanting their support for holy war and burning an effigy of President Bush.
Protesters marched from two mosques to the centre of the northwestern city of Peshawar, chanting "Death to America" and "Jihad is our way." Speakers railed against last Friday's attack near the Afghan border that killed 13 civilians and possibly several top al-Qaeda operatives.
"Are you ready for jihad against America?" asked Dost Mohammed, a leader of the opposition Islamic coalition that was organising demonstrations around Pakistan.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Hundreds of bearded protesters, most wearing white prayer caps, put their hands up.
"America is attacking Muslims in such a cowardly manner, attacking them in the middle of the night," said another speaker, local poet Afzal Khan.
Comments