Muslim Groups In India Take To The Streets To Protest Against The ‘Barbaric Killing’ of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani

Influential Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad Naqavi has called for a protest rally in Lucknow against United States for the killing of al-Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in a targeted airstrike at Baghdad airport on Friday.

The protest rally will be held at Chhota Imambara in Lucknow on Saturday. The city has over 5 lakh Shia Muslims.

Shia Muslims in the city termed the killing a barbaric act even as clerics appealed to the faithful to hold prayer meetings and offer special prayers for the ‘martyrdom’ of Soleimani.

Maulana Yasoob Abbas, spokesperson All India Shia Muslim Personal Law Board (AISMPLB) said, “I have appealed to the community people to pray for the departed souls and to offer special prayers for peace.”

Section of the Shia community in several other parts of the country, including Kashmir, took to the streets protesting against the killing of Qassem Soleimani.

In Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, soon after Friday prayers, the protesters took to the streets of Budgam and Magam areas in Budgam district. They raised slogans against the U.S.

Hindustan Times quoted Shia leader, and former legislator from Budgam, Aga Roohullah as saying “This killing exposes the colonial designs of America and it will gravely cost the security situation of the world. This act of America is akin to assisting IS,” he said.