Muslims protest across world after Friday prayers in support of Palestinians

ISLAMABAD (AFP) – Millions of Muslims protested across the world after Friday prayers against Israel's massive bombardment of Gaza in retaliation to Hamas attacks.

In Pakistan, political and religious parties staged dozens of demonstrations across the cities of Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and the capital Islamabad, where US and Israeli flags were burned. Protester Shahid Husain, 47, said the leaders of Muslim nations were failing to stand up for Palestinians. "We came to the streets to make our rulers realise that they don't need to be scared of the US and that the public wants them to be on the side of Palestine -- not Israel and America," he said from Peshawar's historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar.

A few hundred people also gathered in the Afghan cities of Kabul and Jalalabad for pro-Palestinian rallies organised by Taliban authorities. "Palestine you are not alone, we are with you," one speaker told the crowd. "We are poor, but we will do whatever we can. We can't do much today but use our feet and stand in your support."

Protests took place in the Middle East and beyond in support of Palestinians. The Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem was a focus of attention and a likely flashpoint.

In Baghdad, tens of thousands of Iraqis rallied in central Tahrir Square, waving Palestinian flags and burning the Israeli flag while chanting anti-US and anti-Israeli slogans. "We are ready to join the fight and rid the Palestinians of the Israeli atrocities," said Muntadhar Kareem, 25, a teacher.

He was dressed in a white shroud, like most of the protesters, to symbolize their readiness to fight to the death. In the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, Muslim activists chanted slogans as they protested against Israel's actions after Friday prayers at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

Hamas, which rules Gaza, urged Palestinians to rise up on Friday in protest against Israel's bombardment of the enclave, calling on them to march on the mosque and to confront Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank.

The militant group said Palestinians should stay at the mosque through Friday, when Muslims hold large weekly prayers.The compound is Islam's third holiest side after Makkah and Madina and the most sacred to Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount.

There has been strong support and sympathy for Israel from Western governments and many citizens over the Hamas attacks, but Israel's response has also prompted anger, particularly in much of the Arab and Muslim world.