Shias protest US Embassy Iftar in Lucknow

By TwoCircles.net staff reporter

Lucknow: Several Shia muslims were arrested after mild cane charge when they staged violent protest against the Roza Iftar hosted by US Embassy in Hotel Clarks Awadh in Lucknow on Wednesday. Situation turned worse when Imam-e-Juma Maulana Kalbe Jawwad headed towards Police Lines where the protestors were detained. Later, they were released after district administration came on backfoot while the Iftar was held sans any prominent muslim cleric.

The iftar was hosted by Uzra S Zeya, minister, counselor for political affairs in US Embassy who is in the city and invitations were extended to all prominent muslim clerics and other muslim intelligentia. At around 5 pm, nearly 50 members of Hussaini Tigers reached the hotel and raised anti US slogans. They tried to gain entry inside the hotel which was prevented by the security staff. Later, they threw cold drinks bottles inside the hotel and burnt US flags creating ruckus. The proceedings which were being arranged were disrupted while police tried to restrain them. Later, it resorted to mild cane charge and arrested nearly two dozen members of Hussaini Tigers. They were taken to police lines and detained.

Meanwhile the news reached Imam-e-Juma Maulana Kalbe Jawwad who reacted strongly over the police lathi charge and arresting of Shia youths. "The guilty officials should be punished as we cannot allow any such function by US authorities in the city when they are bringing disgrace to our holy places in Iraq," he said. Minutes later he left towards Police Lines and offered the Maghrib prayers and broke fast with the arrested protestors. DM AK Sagar and DIG Rajeev Krishna too pacified the maulana and later released all of them at around 8:30 pm.

Meanwhile, the iftar progressed with attendance by Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, Congress leader Ammar Rizvi, Chief of Congress Legislature Party Pramod Tiwari et al. Muslim clerics Maulana Saqlain Abidi and Maulana Sajad Nasir Sayeed were the only religious leaders present on the occasion. Founder President of Zakaat Foundation Zafar Mahmood was also present. Lucknow university vice-chancellor Prof MK Mishra and Dean Students' Welfare of Lucknow University Prof Rakesh Chandra. Vice-Cahncellor of proposed Arbi Farsi University Anis Ansari and his wife Asma Hussain were also present during the event.

Among those who lodged their protest by not attending the Iftar despite receiving the invitation included Naib Imam, Aishbagh Eidgah Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli , senior high court lawyer and convener of the All India Babri Masjid Action Committee, Zafaryab Jilani and several others. “We have received the invitation but we cannot be part of any US function when our holy Quran is being burnt at Florida in US," they said.