Cleric held in UP for pro-Palestine appeal By IANS | 0 Views Crime. Image Source: IANS News Azamgarh : , May 21 (IANS) Police in Uttar Pradesh have arrested a Muslim cleric who allegedly appealed to his community to put up the flag of Palestine on their houses and vehicles after the Friday namaaz, in order to show solidarity with Palestinians in the wake of the violence in the Gaza Strip. The cleric, Maulana Yasir Akhtar, was arrested on Thursday after he was booked under Section 505 (2) (statements conducing to public mischief) of the IPC. Azamgarh SP Sudhir Kumar Singh said: "It came to our notice that Yasir, a resident of North Churihar Kasba in Saraimir area, made an appeal on his Facebook page, Azamgarh Express, displaying the Palestinian flag and asking the community members to the such flags atop their houses and vehicles after Friday namaaz.