Hand over evidence to OIC: Shahi Imam

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 21. The Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, today demanded that the U.S. hand over to the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) any evidence linking Osama bin Laden with the recent terrorist attacks in the United States.

Addressing the Friday prayer congregation here, Mr. Bukhari said, ``Based on these proofs, it is the OIC which will decide on the future course of action. Only the OIC can decide if Osama bin Laden has any hand in this or not.'' A large number of Muslims turned up at the Jama Masjid today.

Attacking both the U.S. and Pakistan, Mr. Bukhari urged the gathering not to launch any demonstration now. ``Wait for an announcement from the Jama Masjid about the nature of protest and demonstration to be launched nation-wide after the U.S. attack on Afghanistan.''

``If the U.S. attacks Afghanistan, Muslims around the world would retaliate.'' Warning the U.S. to desist from launching any attack on the innocent people of Afghanistan, he said, ``If it does so, the U.S. will meet the same fate as that of Russia.''

Branding the U.S. as a terrorist country, he demanded that it be brought to justice. ``Has not the U.S. killed so many Muslims world-wide? Has it not supplied arms to terrorists in the past? What has Israel been doing to the Palestinians? What is happening in Chechnya and Bosnia? America is a terrorist nation and it should be brought before the court of law for all these acts of terrorism.''

Reacting to the Pakistani President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf's support to the U.S., he said: ``Anyone who helps a terrorist State will be branded as a terrorist country.''

The Shahi Imam again warned India not to provide any help to the U.S. in attacking Afghanistan.

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