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PESHAWAR, Pakistan (CNN) -- The chants reverberated through
the
narrow
streets of Peshawar, Pakistan: "Long live the Taliban and Osama bin Laden. Death to America."
Over 1,000 students from an Islamic religious school marched to protest
Pakistan's
support for the United States.
"We won't let the Americans use Pakistan to attack Afghanistan," said student
Sena
Tullah Sahil. "We will fight to the last drop of blood against the enemies of Islam."
As President Gen. Pervez Musharraf struggles to convince his people that
siding
with Washington is the right decision, such sentiments have been heard with increasing frequency at similar demonstrations across the country.
Despite the angry rhetoric, so far most of
the
demonstrations have been relatively peaceful and modest in scale. The concern is that this may not remain the case.
Speakers at this gathering warned of armed struggle if the United States attacks
--
and the number of unregistered weapons in the province is estimated to be close to 5 million.
Indeed, this lawless corner of northwestern Pakistan, where many residents
have
longstanding links of religion, ethnicity and blood with neighboring Afghanistan, is likely to be at the forefront of any upsurge in anti-government agitation.
The organizational backing for such protest s comes from a network of
religious
schools called Madrassas run by Islamic fundamentalists like Quri Fayaz Ur Rahman. Many have close ties to the Taliban.
"Terrorism is different from jihad, or holy war," he said. "Jihad is to
fight
oppression. And if innocent Afghans are killed in attacks, that is oppression."
It's a world view that sees U.S. President George W. Bush as a symbol of evil,
to
be burned in effigy, and Osama Bin Laden as an Islamic hero.
There are many in Pakistan who don't share it. But enough do for the
government
to remain deeply concerned about future trouble in the streets. Bob Simons
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the
LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer. 29:11 [EMAIL PROTECTED] |
