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Pak Muslims push for national strike
Hardline Muslims are pushing for a nationwide strike to show their opposition to Pakistan's decision to co-operate with the United States. Islamic parties in Pakistan oppose Gen Musharraf's stand and have called a nationwide strike for Friday, the traditional Muslim day of prayers. The strike will serve as a barometer of public support for the president in this Muslim country of 140 million people. "The government's hasty decision doesn't enjoy support of the people," said Qazi Hussain Ahmed, chief of the Jamaat-e-Islami, or the Islamic Party. On Thursday, demonstrators in Peshawar and elsewhere chanted "Crush America!" and vowed to fight a jihad, or holy war, against the Pakistani government if it supports a US attack on neighbouring Afghanistan. However, most of the anti-government protests have been small - drawing only a few thousand people. Islamic parties are hoping for bigger turn-outs on Friday. Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2001-09-20 |
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