Group of Muslims to stage demonstration against Obama visit

A group of Muslims, led by noted Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad has decided to protest against the visit of US president Barack Obama here on November 5, alleging the US to be "anti-Muslim".

"Muslims belonging to both Shia and Sunni sects would oppose the visit of Barack Obama by staging a demonstration at the Bara Imambara after the Friday prayers", Jawwad, who is also the member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board told reporters here.

"Through this, we would also be drawing the attention of the central government to atrocities being committed by the US and Israel and request for a change in the national policy towards these nations as they both are anti-Muslim," Jawwad said.

"The (Obama) visit would not benefit the country in any way and linking it with progress is baseless," he added, criticising the central government for "bowing before the US."

Jawwad said that the recent visit to Iraq had convinced him that it is the US that has been creating trouble there, as he came to know there was "no problem" from the areas from where the US forces have already departed.