In Peshawar, a city located on Pakistan's northern border with Afghanistan, 10,000 people marched, chanting slogans against the U.S. and Pakistani governments. Many had earlier listened to the televised statement delivered from the Taliban embassy in Islamabad, in which Afghan government officials said they would not hand over Osama bin Laden to the United States unless Washington provides proof of his responsibility for the September 11 attack against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

"When America was fighting Russia, Osama was their freedom fighter," said a student at the demonstration in Peshawar. "Why are they suddenly calling him a terrorist?" Osama bin Laden was a key ally in the 1980s when Washington organized and armed various groups fighting to topple the Soviet-backed government in Kabul.

The demonstration in Peshawar, in addition to rejecting Washington's war against Afghanistan, also condemned U.S. support to Israel's repression of the Palestinian people. "Islam teaches us peace; but every Muslim is a brother. If a Muslim is persecuted, whether in Afghanistan or Palestine or Kashmir, it is our duty to defend him," said a student at the demonstration. A one-day general strike in the city shut down most markets. Hundreds watched the march from rooftops and balconies.

The government has also sealed a crossing point near Peshawar, seeking to stop large numbers of refugees fleeing Afghanistan. Most people in Peshawar are Pashtun, the same ethnic group that extends into Afghanistan and is the base of the Taliban regime. The city is seen by government authorities as a likely flashpoint for an uprising in favor of the Taliban if war breaks out.

The Pakistani regime has responded to the growing protests and highly volatile situation by deploying the tightest security the country has seen in years. A Pakistani official told the press: "We are not taking any chances. We cannot allow these protests to succeed." For example, 70 demonstrators were arrested and one was killed in Karachi, Pakistan's biggest city and commercial hub, when police fired tear gas and attacked demonstrators September 21.

In Lahore, 12,000 people rallied outside a mosque where they heard leaders of Pakistan's main religious parties denouncing any attack on Afghanistan.

Indonesia, a largely Muslim country, has also been the scene of protests. The government has deployed hundreds of snipers and military personnel to U.S. facilities in response to the growing mobilizations.

The Jakarta Post reported that some 200 students held a protest at the U.S. consulate in the capital city Jakarta where they presented a "Terrorist Award" to the diplomatic mission there. Holding banners reading, "America is The Great Terrorist," and "Bush, Big Boss of Terrorists," the students read a statement deploring all forms of terrorism and Washington's policy towards Palestine, and demanded that the U.S. protects the rights of Muslims.

In the city of Palu students rallied in a number of locations in the downtown area, blocking traffic for several hours and attracting hundreds of onlookers.

In Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, thousands attended a march and rally September 23. CNN reported that the organizers of the protest said that the action was not directed as a show of support for bin Laden, but a stand against U.S. policy towards both Israel and Muslim nations in general.
 
 
Related articles:
Washington waives sanctions imposed on India, Pakistan
How state of Pakistan came into existence
Imperialists have sought for decades to rule Afghanistan
 
 
 
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