Ekip
December 22, 2017•Update: December 23, 2017
By Islamuddin Sajid
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan
Thousands on Friday marched in Peshawar, northwestern Pakistan, to protest U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
The march was organized by Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan's main religious political party.
Angry demonstrators chanted such slogans as "We will never leave Jerusalem in the hands of Israel" and "Down with America, down with Israel."
The protesters were trying to reached the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar, but police blocked their way.
"We appreciate the UN General Assembly members who supported the Turkish and Pakistani resolution with an overwhelming majority and rejected the Trump decision," said Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, the party's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief, referring to Thursday’s vote at the UN rejecting the U.S. decision.
Khan also praised Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for his leadership on the issue.
"Jerusalem is a red line for us, and Muslims are proud to have a leader like Erdogan, who always raises his voice for oppressed Muslims," Khan added.
On Dec. 6, Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital despite worldwide opposition. The decision sparked angry demonstration across the Muslim world.
On Thursday, the General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution against the Trump decision by a vote of 128-9.
