Pakistan Jamaat wants BD in Mecca alliance

Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem wants Bangladesh, Iran and other Muslim countries included in the Mecca Defence Alliance, saying Palestine should be its top priority.

Speaking at a Gaza solidarity march in Karachi, Naeem welcomed the joint defence agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on August 7 and called for its expansion to other Muslim countries.

He said if the alliance aims to protect the region, its first objective should be to end Israeli aggression against Palestinians, particularly those living in Gaza.

Naeem alleged that Israeli attacks on Gaza have continued despite the ceasefire and that Israel has not honoured the terms agreed under the truce. He also accused Israel of targeting Palestinians, including children, in the West Bank.

He called on the Muslim Ummah to overcome sectarian, political and geographical divisions and unite in support of the people of Palestine and Kashmir. He also urged Shia and Sunni communities to set aside their differences in the interest of a common struggle.

Naeem described Hamas's struggle as legitimate resistance and said the group played an important role in ceasefire negotiations. He also called for stronger efforts for the freedom of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

He said Muslim governments and armed forces have a responsibility to prevent further bloodshed in Palestine.