NAWAN SHEHAR: Anti America and anti-Britain speeches preceded the 'Bakrid namaj' that was offered by the Muslims of the area here at Government Secondary School playground.  

Led by Kari Jia Ahmad, Imam of Baradari Masjid here, nearly 2,000 Muslims offered the namaj with traditional devotion. President of the district unit of Muslim Welfare Front Mehtab Khan and district president of the Muslim National Front Akeel Ahmad Bukhari, along with other members of their organisations, also congratulated the people for the festival that symbolized love, compassion, sacrifice and goodwill. They called upon them to dedicate themselves for strengthening unity and cultural and communal harmony in the country. President of the local municipal council Lalit Mohan Pathak too
extended warm greetings to the muslim brothers on the occasion.

However, after the 'namaj' the muslims, carrying black flags and raising anti-Bush and anti-Blair slogans, took out a rally to the Chandigarh Chowk where they burnt the effigy of George Bush in protest against the hanging of former president of Iraq Saddam Hussein.

They urged the Indian government snap ties with America on the issue. The protesters seemed quite grieved and angry over the hanging of Saddam Hussein.

America had no business to hang him (Hussein) even if he had committed atrocities on his own people, they were overheard saying to each other.