Kargil, Mar 13: Thousands of residents poured into the main bazaar of Kargil on Friday as the town witnessed a large International Quds Day rally organised under the leadership of Markazi Imam Jumma Sheikh Ibrahim Khalili and the Jamiat Ul Ulama Isna Ashriya Kargil (JIIAK) Ladakh.
The procession began after Friday congregational prayers at Isna Ashriya Chowk and moved through the main bazaar, Khomeini Chowk, Lal Chowk and Hanifiya Masjid Chowk via the Old Bazaar before returning to the starting point. Protesters carried banners condemning the Israeli occupation and held portraits of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Khamenei and Ayatullah Syed Mujtaba Hussaini Khamenei.
The annual observance drew a large turnout from different localities, with participants raising slogans in support of the Palestinian people and expressing solidarity with what speakers described as the resistance against Israel.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the rally, Sajjad Kargili, Incharge of Political Affairs for JIIAK Ladakh, described International Quds Day as an ideological initiative launched by Imam Khomeini to highlight the Palestinian struggle.
“At a time when the Palestinian cause had very little ideological backing, Imam Khomeini introduced Youmul Quds. Today we see a broad resistance led by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the US-Israel-Zionist axis,” Kargili said, adding that supporters believed the struggle would eventually culminate in the downfall of imperialism and Zionism.
During the programme, Sheikh Abdullah Munawari spoke about the historical observance of Quds Day in Kargil and the evolution of the annual rally over the years.
Addressing the gathering, Hassan Hundermani highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, citing United Nations reports on the deteriorating conditions faced by civilians in the region. He also raised local concerns regarding employment opportunities and recruitment prospects for the youth of Kargil.
In his keynote address, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalili criticised what he termed the “tyrannical regimes of America and the Israeli entity” for the occupation of Al-Quds and the desecration of Baitul Muqaddas, which he described as the first Qibla of Muslims.
“The world cannot remain silent while innocent children are killed in attacks on public places,” Khalili said, referring to recent strikes that reportedly targeted civilian facilities, including an elementary school for girls.
He also called upon the Muslim community to remain vigilant against elements attempting to create divisions within society and urged unity among Muslims across the world.
The event concluded with prayers for peace and justice, while the proceedings of the rally were anchored by social activist Murtaza Khalili.
