|

Kashmir Event Held in Brooklyn, New York

Articles, Uncategorised

New York, December 29, 2013. “The period of incarceration provided me an opportunity for introspection. It was also an opportunity to reflect and to learn from the past and re-focus on the future. This process of self-examination undoubtedly strengthened my inner self and beliefs. It also opened the doors of understanding and growth” said Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai at a reception organized in his honor by Sardar Sawar Khan, former Advisor to the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir. The reception was held at Pakeeza restaurant, Brooklyn, New York and was jointly sponsored by Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conferences; Peoples Party of Pakistan, Azad Kashmir; Jammu Kashmir Muslim League; Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, Jamaat-e-Islamic Azad Kashmir; Jammu Kashmir Liberation League; Jamait-e-Ulama-e-Islam, Azad Kashmir.

Dr. Fai said that during his incarceration, he was uniquely blessed to have the visitations from more than 70 people and the correspondence from 93 persons. He said that It was beyond doubt that it proved to be a source of strength and encouragement during this time of trials and tribulations. Dr. Fai conveyed his deepest appreciation to all his well-wishers for keeping him in their thoughts and prayers.

Dr. Fai appreciated that the latest round of talks between the Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and Dr. Manmohan Singh that took place in September 2013 in New York. He, however, underlined the importance of making future talks tripartite — between Governments of India & Pakistan and genuine leadership of the people of Kashmir. He reminded the audience that the history of past sixty-six years testifies to the fact that the bilateral talks between India and Pakistan have been always fruitless. In fact any attempt to strike a deal between any two parties without the association of the third party, will fail to yield a credible settlement.

Dr. Fai said, although there are three parties concerned with the Kashmir dispute: India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir. But the primary and principal party is the people of Kashmir, because it is ultimately their future, the future of 18 million people of Jammu & Kashmir that is at stake.

Sardar Sawar Khan, the main organizer of the event said that the sacrifices of the people of Kashmir demand that the Government of Pakistan, irrespective of its political affiliation must support the people of Kashmir at the diplomatic front. He said there is a consensus is Pakistan that the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir is a legitimate right which needs to be supported at all cost.

Sardar Sawar Khan said that the Kashmir dispute is one of the oldest issues on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council. The United Nations has passed resolutions that have given the people of Jammu & Kashmir the right to decide their future. Sardar Sawar Khan said that no solution would be acceptable to the people of Jammu & Kashmir unless the negotiations include the Kashmiri leadership.

Sardar Haleem Khan of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front and the M.C. of the event said that the Kashmiri resistance demands the unity of action among the leadership not only in Azad Kashmir but in Indian Occupied as well. He said the world powers should respect the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir which is the elementary right of every human being in any civilized society.

Sardar Sarwar Choudhary of Peoples Party of Pakistan highlighted the contribution of Mohtarma Bainazir Sahiba in internationalizing the cause of Kashmir. He also spoke about the huge sacrifices given by the people of Kashmir in seeking their birth right of Azaadi.

Mr. Khalid Awan highlighted the presence of 700,000 Indian military and paramilitary forces which has made Kashmir virtually the hell for its inhabitants. He said that the United States has a moral responsibility to come to the rescue of the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sardar Mohammad Taj of Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference spoke about the mass graves which have been discovered in the Valley of Kashmir. He quoted Mr. Gautam Navlakha who spoke on December 22, 2013 about the latest discovery of more than 6,700 mass graves in Kashmir.

Mr.. Imran of Jamaat-e-Islami Azad Kashmir told the audience that Kashmir is not a border dispute but an international conflict that demands just and fair settlement to the satisfaction of all patties concerned. Mr. demanded that the rights of peaceful association, assembly and demonstrations in Indian Occupied Kashmir must be respected.

Mr. Gilgati reiterated that the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgat Baltistan were promised the right to determine their future status through consecutive United Nations resolutions in 1948 and 1949. This was agreed upon by both India and Pakistan but was never honored until today. He emphasize that the action by the united Nations is urgently needed to address the grave human rights situation in Kashmir

Similar Posts

  • |

    Dr. Fai Addressed a Forum of Journalists in Washington

    WASHINGTON, D.C. June 27, 2012 (APP): Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory and has never been an integral part of India, a veteran Kashmiri leader said.

    “I want to debunk this myth created by India that Kashmir is an integral part of India —- this is a matter of historical record that India occupied the region on October 27, 1947 when the very first Indian soldier set foot on the soil of Kashmir —- the highest diplomatic forums including the United Nations and the United States have recognized the disputed nature of the region,” Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai told a forum of journalists in Springfield, Virginia.

    The Kashmiri-American activist said in the post-9/11 world, New Delhi has tried to weave a smokescreen with some unfounded myths, which seek to discredit the genuine struggle of the people. But these ploys will never be able to cover up the reality and sufferings of people in the Occupied Kashmir, he added.

    “India has failingly tried to equate Kashmiri people with terrorists — how can a people, who believe in the UN-mandated right to self-determination and then hold demonstrations to go to the UN office in Srinagar to remind the international community of its pledge, be terrorists? Terrorists don’t believe in the UN system or any other global forum.

    “Also, how can an entire population of millions be dubbed as terrorists when they hold peaceful demonstrations for their promised rights?” he questioned.

    Dr. Fai also said that India would like you to believe that Kashmir is an issue of fundamentalism. He explained that “the term fundamentalism is quite inapplicable to the Kashmiri society. One of the proud distinctions of Kashmir has been the sustained tradition of tolerance and amity between the members of different religious communities. It has a long tradition of moderation and non-violence. Its culture does not generate extremism or fundamentalism. The fact is that Kashmir conflict was never a fight between Hindus and Muslims. It was never a struggle between theocracy and secularism. Nor was it a border dispute between India and Pakistan. It has always been about the hopes and future of 17 million people of Kashmir, be they Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs or Buddhists.”

  • |

    Dr. Fai Welcomed Talks Between India and Pakistan

    Washington, D.C. July 6, 2012. Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai has welcomed the foreign secretaries’ talks between New Delhi & Islamabad on July 4 – 5, 2012 where they exchanged views on the issue of Jammu & Kashmir and agreed ‘to continue discussions in a purposeful and forward looking manner with the view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences.’ “These talks offer hope for peace in South Asia if the course of justice is followed and both parties undertake to abide by their commitments. The continuance of talks can only be useful if they reflect a sense of urgency and prepare the ground for an earnest effort at the highest level to frame a step-by-step plan of settlement of the Kashmir dispute. Mere persistence of talks at a level lower than political leadership of the two countries – and that too at a leisurely pace – will in no way defuse the situation. Unintentionally though, it will mock the agony of the people of Kashmir rather than assuage it,” Fai added.

  • |

    Ambassador Yusuf Buch is resting at home in New york

    New York, June 13, 2015. Ambassador Yusuf Buch is home now after spending almost a month, first at New York University Hospital, then at New York Rehabilitation Center. A delegation of Kashmiri Americans, including Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai & Sardar Sawar Khan visited him this weekend at his residence in New York City. Buch Sahib was resting comfortably and felt much better today than what we experienced during our visit to him both at the Hospital and the Rehabilitation Center, said Dr. Fai.

  • |

    Kashmiris stage huge demonstration in front of the White House

    Washington, D.C. May 22, 2017. Hundreds of Kashmiri Americans – men, women and children – from various states in the United States staged their huge rally in front of the White House. They were demanding United Nations – assured right of self-determination.

    Raising slogans of: “Kashmiri Lives Matter Too” “Kashmir in Pain: India in Shame” “Indian Forces: Out of Kashmir” “Demilitarize Kashmir” “U.N. Implement Resolutions on Kashmir” “Stop Forced Disappearances and Torture in Kashmir,” the marchers held candle light vigil on the sidewalk of the White House.

    Syed Ali Geelani, ‘the Keynote Speaker’ called on the world leaders to persuade India and Pakistan to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the Kashmiri leadership to settle the Kashmir dispute once and for all. He suggested that it is better for Indian authorities to shun its stubborn approach and resolve this long pending issue. “The Indian army is unleashing a new wave of terror, killing dozens and maiming hundreds of unarmed protesters, utilizing bullets and lethal pellet-guns aimed to kill and maim” emphasized Mr. Geelani. He hoped that a new dawn of prosperity, peace and stability will be guaranteed when the Kashmir dispute is resolved to the satisfaction of the people of Kashmir.

  • |

    Kashmir Beyond Platitudes: The Responsibility to Protect

    Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream / I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been / To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen / They talk of days for which they sit and wait and all will be revealed….  –lyrics by Jimmy Page from the song Kashmir, performed by Led Zeppelin

    Why, after 67 years of dispute, is the question of Kashmir, land of the “gentle race,” still lurking in the shadows of international relations, still unresolved, despite its seemingly relative unimportance to global interests in matters of resources and international trade?