Indian muslims express solidarity with Palestinians

A large number of Muslims in New Delhi on Friday expressed solidarity with Palestinian Muslims, who, they said, were victims of Israeli brutality, the Press Trust of India said.

About three to four thousand Muslims staged a march from Jama Masjid after the Friday prayer in protest against what they called "brutal killing of Palestinian Muslims by Israel."

The newly appointed Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari led the march. The marchers burnt an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

Later a delegation led by Bukhari visited the United Nations office here and submitted a memorandum addressed to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Before the march started, Bukhari addressed the congregation saying it was the duty of all Indian Muslims to express solidarity with Palestinian Muslims. He also criticised the government for not condemning the Israeli military action.

Another Muslim cleric Nawabuddin Naqshbandi said India was not protesting the Israeli military action and demanded that India must clarify its Middle East policy.