PROTESTS AGAINST US AND ISRAEL AFTER FRIDAY PRAYERS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- About 300 people staged a walk to the United States embassy to protest against US refusal to act against the atrocities committed by its ally, Israel, in Gaza.

The protest group, comprising members of the Pertubuhan Kebajikan & Dakwah
Islamiah SeMalaysia (Perkida), a Muslim welfare and missionary group, and
Persatuan Setiakawan & Persahabatan Malaysia-Palestin (Malaysia-Palestine
Solidarity and Friendship Society), walked to the embassy from the Tabung Haji
(Pilgrims' Fund) building on the other side of the road under the watchful eyes
of the police after Friday prayer.

They also carried banners with slogans comdemning Israel's invasion of Gaza
and the couldn't-care-less attitude of the US, besides burning the Israeli flag.

The group started walking to the embassy at about 2.30pm and dispersed
peacefully half an hour later after handing over a memorandum to a US embassy
representative.

A similar protest was staged by about 1,500 people in the city centre after
Friday prayer.

The gathering, organised by Ikatan Rakyat Insan Muslim Malaysia (IRIMM),
also held a "solat hajat" (special prayer for a wish) and burned the Israeli
flag.

In northern city of Alor Setar, more than 200 hawkers and petty traders also
took part in a peaceful demonstration against Isreali assault on Palestinians in
Gaza.

The demonstration was organised by Koperasi Pekan Rabu Bhd, a cooperative
company and the Alor Setar United Malays National Organisation (Umno) division's
Youth wing.

Koperasi Pekan Rabu chairman Wan Fariduddin Wan Ibrahim said Arab leaders
must unite to protect the Palestinians from Israel's aggression, while Alor
Setar Umno Youth chief Zubir Zabidi said boycotting US- and Israel-made goods by
nations would put economic pressure on the two countries to stop the war in
Gaza.
-- BERNAMA