An Israeli cultural stall set up at a university in Pakistan as part of a UN debate contest was closed on Sunday soon after it created a “wave of anger” among religious and political circles as the organisers of booth described the Jewish state as a “land of peace and prosperity”.
The stall, organised at the International Islamic University (IIU), was part of the “UN Debate Contest” and showcased Israeli culture and products, The News International reported on Sunday.
“The feelings of the Palestinians were also hurt by prominently displaying Israeli flags. A wave of anger and grief prevailed in religious and political circles when pictures of the events came up,” it said.
Certain women students, including foreigners, organised the stall where efforts were made to depict the Zionist country as a flagbearer of peace.
The Israeli flag and photo of the Israeli Prime Minister and different banners were also displayed.
The central banner of the stall, which depicted the Israeli flag in the background, said, “Welcome to the land of peace & prosperity”.
However, the stall was closed soon after authorities came to know about it.
The stall was organised without permission by women students who had installed stalls of the UN member countries, said legal Adviser of the IIU Aziz-ur-Rahman.
A committee, under the chairmanship of Tahir Mansoori; vice-president of the university, has been constituted to probe the incident and punish those found responsible for the act.
Pakistan and Israel do not have diplomatic relations as the Muslim nation refuses to recognise the Jewish State