Protest in Hyderabad against IS atrocities

Members of civil society groups Wednesday staged a protest here against the brutalities and atrocities perpetrated by the Islamic State (IS) group against minorities in Iraq.

Twenty representatives from nine organisations staged the protest at Indira Park.

Holding placards and raising slogans, they slammed the IS for atrocities against Christians, Shias, Kurds, Yazidis and other minorities in Iraq.

"It is even more reprehensible that these brutalities are being carried out by misusing the name of Islam and for promoting a narrow sectarian ideology. We urge all people the world over to condemn these inhuman actions unequivocally," said a joint statement by the organisers.

"We also condemn the foreign policy of the US that is totally and directly responsible for promoting elements like the IS and the Taliban for its selfish and limited geopolitical and economic interests that is putting the future of the entire world and humanity at grave risk," it added.

"We condemn ISIS atrocities", "We condemn US foreign policy" and "Stop religious fanaticism" were some of the slogans raised, referring to the group formerly known as the ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Iraq).

"The US foreign policy is responsible for all the problems we see in Iraq today," said Mazhar Hussain of the Confederation of Voluntary Organisations (COVA).

The placards read "Act now, eliminate ISIS from the Earth", "Stop terrorism and save lives".

They also carried verses from the Quran like "There is no compulsion in religion" and "Killing of one innocent person amounts to killing of entire humanity".

Two French students visiting India to study Indian culture also participated in the protest.

"You can't force people to convert to a particular religion. This was something happening in dark ages but this can't be tolerated in 21st century," said one of the students, P. Alex.