Rising Leaders, NPSA observe Kashmir Black Day

To commemorate 27 October as the “Kashmir Black Day” an impressive seminar was organized by Rising Leaders and the National Pakistani Students Association (NPSA) at the Embassy of Pakistan Wasington. The event was open to students and young professionals.The key note speaker on the occasion was Mr. Mowahid Hussain Shah, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Punjab. The seminar was also attended by members of Punjab and Sindh Provincial Assemblies, Dr. Samiah Amjad and Ms. Nuzhat Pathan currently visiting Washington DC and Ms. Nadia Naviwala Executive Director Rising Leaders.

Cd’A Mr. Mohammad Sadiq welcomed the speakers and other participants, and acknowledged the contribution of NPSA and Rising Leaders towards community mobilization.

In his address Mr Mowahid Hussain Shah stated that prior to 9/11, Kashmir had faded into the background in the United States and the focus was more on strengthening US-India relations. However, after 9/11 the situation changed. Now based on his frequent interaction with US academia, he could feel that there was a “hunger” to know more about Kashmir to find out the causes and to explore possibilities for a lasting solution. He stated that it was up to the Pakistani-American community to seize the moment, to be vigilant and to respond to the challenge in order to educate the people of the true nature of the issue. He emphasized that “facts, principles and law” were all on the side of Kashmiris and it was imperative for the Pakistani-American community to reach out and to play a positive role in the solution of this dispute.

Tracing the historical roots of the issue, Mr. Shah stated that it was Prime Minister Nehru who had taken the matter to the United Nations and assured the world community that Kashmiris deserved the right to self-determination. However, despite the promises made by the Indian leaders themselves a fair and free plebiscite had been denied to them. In fact for more than fifty years they have been the victims of gross injustices committed by Indian Security forces in the name of fighting insurgency. He added that more than 90,000 Kashmiris had been killed since 1989 when the indigenous uprising took a new turn.

Mr. Shah drew parallels between the Palestinian and Kashmiri struggles and highlighted the sacrifices made by both to achieve freedom.

He reminded the audience that true struggle is always rewarded, and drew attention to the struggle waged by African-American Muslims in the US such as Malcolm-X and Mohammad Ali. Although these people were once ostracized for the espousal of their cause but now the very same people were being celebrated as national heroes. They remained true to their cause and ultimately achieved success.

Mr. Shah asked the young leaders to devote themselves to pursuing noble causes such as Kashmir. He stressed that success could only be achieved by greater participation of the Pakistani-American community in the US political system. He also highlighted the importance of media in order to effectively project the Kashmir cause. He stated that “in this era of battle of ideas and knowledge, we must be ready to accept challenges and with the dint of will power and determination, we can accomplish anything and everything."

The address was followed by presentations from three Kashmiri-American students based on their personal experiences during their recent visits to Indian Held Kashmir (IHK). These students had interned with the Embassy during the last one year.The presentations highlighted the plight of the Kashmiris forced to live under Indian subjugation and particularly highlighted the atrocities committed by the Indian Army in IHK.

Mr. Osman Ashai, in his presentation, showed photographs taken during his visit to Indian Held Kashmir in the summer which highlighted scenes from the life of the Kashmiris as well as beautiful, cultural, religious and historical sites of interest particularly in Srinagar, such as Dal Lake, shrines of Hazrat Bal and Shah Hamdan, and Jama Masjid. His commentary revealed the difficulties faced by the ordinary Kashmiris and the stark reality of the situation in Indian Held Kashmir with the constant presence of more than 90,000 Indian troops stationed in various parts. He wished that "paradise lost” could soon become “paradise regained."

Ms. Hafsa Kanjwal in her narrative focused on the psychological and mental trauma endured by the courageous women of Kashmir who have been the long suffering victims of unending tragedies unleashed upon them in the form of rape, torture and murder. She, however, said that the people had pinned their hopes on the ongoing Pakistan-India dialogue process, and hoped that a solution of the problem would soon be found so that the energies and resources of the people could be diverted to their socio-economic uplift.

Hyder Syed dwelt at length on the harder political and factual side of the issue, and highlighted the record of crackdowns, checkpoints, curfews, human rights abuses and use of rape as a weapon to break the Kashmiri resistance.

Mr. Syed, is a nephew of late human rights activist Jalil Andrabi, who was brutally tortured to death by the Indian security forces. Mr. Syed quoted extensively from reports documented by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch highlighting human rights abuses in Indian Held Kashmir.

He ended his presentation with a quote from Congressman Dan Burton who stated that “any proposed solution can only be successful if it reflects the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir."

The presentations were followed by a lively question-answer session.

For photo gallery please click here

October 27, 2004