ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman called for a nationwide shutter-down strike on April 26 to express solidarity with the people of Gaza, demanding that the government facilitate the democratic and legitimate Palestinian resistance force, Hamas, to open an office in Pakistan.

He made the announcement while addressing a `Gaza Million March` here at Zero Point on Sunday.

A large number of people including women and children, partici-pated in the demonstration.

Addressing the gathering, Hafiz Naeem said the entire country would shut down on April 26 in protest against the ongoinggenocide inGaza. `On April 27, we will announce our future course of action and intensify our struggle, he said.

Criticising the government for notallowing the march to proceed towards the US embassy, he said: `The rulers fear the US and Israel.

They closed down Islamabad to stop us. But if I give the call now, no one can stop us from reaching the embassy.He said the JI sought to send a message of unity and peace, not confrontation, and accused the government of being `slaves of slaves` unwilling to fight for the cause of Palestine and Kashmir.

The Jamaat chief also opposed anyattempts to `befriend Israel` will be wiped out,` the JI chief warned.

`The genocide in Gaza is being carried out at the behest of the US, and if Israelis to be stopped, pressuremustbeexerted onWashington, he added.

Calling all political parties to unite for Palestine and Kashmir, Hafiz Naeem warned that if the government failed to act, JI would returntothefederalcapitalandthen the government would not be able to stop people.

Former JI chief Sirajul Haq, JI secretary-general Ameerul Azeem and other party leaders also addressed the gathering.

The success of Gaza would be the success of all oppressed nations, Sirajul Haq said, demanding that the government make its stance clear.

`The prime minister represents 250 million people; he must stand with Gaza. Scholars have issued fatwas declaring jihad obligatory those who do not act on this have no right to rule Pakistan,` he asserted.

Ameerul Azeem commended the participation of women in the rally, calling their presence a defeat of `government conspiracies`. He said the message of solidarity from Pakistan was crucial, echoing the voices of Palestinian children that `true power lies only with Allah`.

Hafiz Naeem lauded the students in the US for standing with Palestinians and sacrificing their futures. `Our Qibla is under the occupation of Zionists. The land of Palestine belongs to its people. Israel is not only attacking Gaza but also seizing the West Bank,` he said, emphasising the need for unity among the nations opposed to Israel, and calling for Pakistan to play a leadership role.

The JI leader recalled that Quaid-i-Azam had also launched a movement for Palestine during Pakistan`s creation, urging the authorities to disclose who from Pakistan had allegedly made secret visits and promises to Israel. `Any attempt to befriend Israel from Pakistan will be resisted with full force,` the JI leader reiterated.

Calling Hamas a resistance force fighting an occupying military, Hafiz Naeem reiterated his demand for a Hamas office in Pakistan. `This is not just a matter of politics, but of faith and humanity. Hamas is defending Masjid Al-Aqsa,` he pointed out.

`The Gaza Strip is reduced to rubble and fire, but despite the bloodshed, Hamas has protected prisoners, unlike Israeli jails where women`s honour is being trampled,` he said.

He said even non-Muslim students were standing with the Palestinians, proving that this was a global human rights issue.

The JI leader said Israeli plans to rebuild the Temple of Solomon must be stopped, and highlighted the need to pressure the US to halt the war. `Only if America is pressured will Israel back down,` he remarked.

Calling the April 26 strike a form of `peaceful jihad`, Hafiz Naeem urged the people to boycott Israeli products, unite for justice, and prepare for non-violent resistance. `Jamaat-i-Islami can bring everyone together. If the rulers fail to act, we will return stronger,` he reiterated.

He appealed to the marchers to abandon divisions and accelerate the movement. `This is a struggle of our faith, our dignity, and our humanity,` he said.

During the JI protest, several main arteries of the federal capital remained closed. Before the protest, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi talked to JI leader Liaquat Baloch, requesting him not to take the JI rally beyond the Zero Point.