JNN 03.11.10 Lucknow: Muslim clerics in Lucknow on Tuesday opposed the upcoming visit of US President Barack Obama. Terming US as a supporter of Israel, the clerics claimed that the country was engaged in killing of innocent civilians world-wide. The clerics claimed that a joint appeal will be issued formally on Wednesday denouncing Obama’s visit.

Firing a fresh salvo, eminent Shia cleric and Imam-e-Juma, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad stated that US is behind terror activities around the globe. “At the pretext of curbing terrorism, the country is killing innocent persons in Afghanistan and Iraq. The next on their agenda is Iran which is being threatened,” claimed Jawwad. He also stated that US and its ally Israel are perpetrators of terrorism. “The Indian government should come out clean and snap all ties with Israel. It should also issue an statement decrying the activities of Israel,” said Jawwad.

Another cleric Imam, Tile Wali Masjid, Maulana Fazlur Rehman Waizi demanded that the US and allied forces should be withdrawn from Afghanistan and Iraq. “Their occupation of these countries is illegal as they are torturing the innocent citizens in the name of establishing peace,” said Waizi.

The cleric urged the Indian government to revert to its Nehruvian Non Alignment Movement (NAM) policy and should not be part of any power axis. “The government is playing in the hands of America. It should rather ensure that any talks are held on equal footing. They should stick to the old NAM policy for peaceful existence,” said Maulana Jahangir Qasmi, another Muslim cleric.

The clerics, however, denied that they have given call for burning the effigy of Obama. “We have issued only an appeal opposing the US President Obama’s visit as we have not seen much change in its policy from the past. The tone may have mellowed down a bit but still it is pursuing its own agenda of establishing its base in different parts of the world,” said Jawwad. He, however, claimed that conscious denizens are free to react and express their anger which may include burning Obama’s effigy.

The clerics have been opposed to US in the past also when during Ramzan an iftar hosted by US embassy in Lucknow witnessed violent protests. Most of the clerics had boycotted the iftar which was hosted by US embassy official Uzra Syed in Clarks Awadh hotel. The issue of visa denial by US to Vice-President, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Maulana Kalbe Sadiq is still fresh in the minds of the clerics.