By TCN Special Corespondent
Lucknow: The visit of US President Obama has failed to evoke confidence among Muslims in Lucknow. Besides a protest meeting at Bara Imambara on Friday, the community remained apprehensive about Obama’s visit.
The reaction against Obama was not so much expressed till Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad openly declared that Obama’s visit should be opposed due to US’s anti Muslim policies.
Moulana Kalbe Jawwad adressing protest rally
After leading the Juma prayer, Jawwad led a protest meeting at Bara Imambara. He justified his stand on grounds that US is anti Muslim and is using terrorism as a ploy to kill innocent civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“Their next target is Iran which is being threatened these days. The Muslim Ummah should unite against the imperialism of US and should oppose Obama’s visit,” said Jawwad while addressing the protestors in Lucknow on Friday.
Even the common denizens did not appear very receptive about Obama’s visit.
“Look at the fate of Pakistan for allying with USA. We should not bend over for gaining US proximity,” said Shariq Khan, a student of Shia College.
Another Murtaza Rizvi, a localshopkeeper in old city area stated that as Obama failed to bring about any change in its stand towards Muslims, there is no point going ga-ga over his visit.
“Why is there such a frenzy, let it be just another head of the state visit, he may be the super power but everybody understand where the power is being used. The Muslim community is bearing the brunt of its policies, I oppose such visits which do not give any result,” he said.
Lucknow has witnessed anti-US protests in the past also. Recently during the Ramadan, US dispatched its embassy officials for organizing an Iftar party in Lucknow. None of the prominent cleric or Muslim intellectuals turned up. Some more enterprising youths even staged violent protest outside the hotel forcing the officials to remain indoors.
Yasir Kaifi, a lawyer said that, “Earlier Muslims hoped that Obama has Muslim linkage he will prove better but he failed to live up to expectations so there is no point in rolling red-carpet for him.”
“It is true that no major difference has been witnessed in US stand towards Muslim community. Their policies remain the same with little changes. We should instead exert pressure on the Indian government that our demands are presented before Obama,” added Mr. Kaifi