Prophet (PBUH) Day, today
Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will be the chief guest at the Ishq-e- Rasool Conference to be held here on Friday (today) to observe Friday as ‘Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool’ against the blasphemous film that sent wave of anger among the Muslims all over the world.The government took the decision in the Federal Cabinet meeting and announced public holiday to peacefully observe Friday as ‘Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool’ in a bid to condemn the anti-Islam film that has triggered violent protests across the Muslim countries.Apart from large number of religious scholars, the conference will be attended by the representatives of the mainstream political parties except PML-N and PTI which said they were not invited. The conference would pay rich tributes to the last Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and is likely to adopt a resolution condemning the anti-Islam film. The Federal Cabinet which met with Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Wednesday set aside its agenda to condemn the anti-Islam film and decided to observe September 21st as ‘Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool’ to convey the government’s protest against the film. The day was also declared a national holiday. “I intend that a message should go to the world that the Federal Cabinet of Pakistan strongly condemns this sacrilegious film which has created unrest amongst Muslims. At this moment, I call upon the people of Pakistan to register their protest peacefully but to observe restraint and not to damage their own property,” he said.The PM said he had already directed the Information Technology Ministry to block YouTube “to register our protest at the availability of this sacrilegious film on the website” and to demand its immediate removal.Raja suspended all items on the agenda for the Cabinet meeting, which discussed ways to express Pakistan’s resentment over the film.Meanwhile, a complete shutter-down and wheel jam strike would be observed on Friday (today) across Pakistan against the blasphemous film which started violent protests in the Muslim world.CNG, Petrol pump, trade centres, markets, bazaars all public and private corporate sector will remain closed while transport companies, local and national route bus and van services will be off the roads.Various political and religious parties have announced to organise public rallies to protest against the anti-Islam movie in all large and small cities and towns across the country.US diplomatic missions in Pakistan would also be closed for public dealing on Friday while security arrangements has been tightened around American Consulates and Embassies in the country to avoid any mishap.US Embassy in Islamabad confirmed the closure of its diplomatic missions in Pakistan on Friday.
