Mumbai : Muslims across Maharashtra held protests, after offering Friday prayers, against Israel for its offensive in Palestine, which has claimed hundreds of lives.
In many major mosques here, special prayers were said against Israel and the US, condemning the continued attacks on Palestinians, especially women and children since the past few weeks.
The Raza Academy and other organisations had given a call for special prayers in all mosques in the city and in Maharashtra for the safety and security of Palestinians.
The academy also sent a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee, urging him to convey the sentiments of Indian Muslims to Israel.
Over 50,000 Muslims – carrying placards and raising slogans – joined in a mega-procession in Thane district’s Bhiwandi town to condemn Israel.
Yusuf Abrahani, head of a Muslim NGO Seva, submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on the issue and also sent a cheque of half a million rupees to be forwarded to the Palestinians.
Similar special prayers and protests were held in mosques in Thane, Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad, Ratnagiri, Beed and other Muslim pockets across Maharashtra.
The Samajwadi Party members Friday tried to enter the Israel consulate here but were prevented by the security forces.
The 18-day bloodshed between Israel and Hamas movement, which is in power in Gaza, has killed over 800 Palestinians and wounded more than 5,000 others, most of them civilians, while over 30 Israelis have been killed in Hamas attacks.