U.S. Muslim groups call for ceasefire in Mideast

Thousands of people on Sunday attended a rally organized by Muslim groups in California, calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Middle East violence.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Arab American Council sponsored the rally in Los Angeles in support of the people of Lebanon and Palestine, organizers said.

Participants called for "the immediate delivery of relief aid to the victims and to find a just resolution to the conflict in the Middle East,'' said organizer Munira Syeda.

The demonstrators, some carrying Lebanese flags, chanted ``no justice, no peace,'' ``Israel, shame on you,'' and `` free Palestine''.

The rally was also attended by representatives from Jewish and Latino groups, Syeda sadi.

Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR's Southern California chapter, also condemned the attack on a Jewish center in Seattle on Friday, which killed one and wounding five others.

Ayloush noted that the problems in the Middle East are a political conflict, not a religious war, and should not spill over to America, Syeda said.

The rally proceeded peacefully, local police said.

Source: Xinhua