Washington, D.C. May 3, 2022: Eid al-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are two major holidays celebrated by Muslims all over the world. Eid al-Fitr commemorates the end of fasting. It is being celebrated as the accomplishment of religious duties during the month of Ramadhan. In the United States, Eid al-Fitr was celebrated on Monday, May 2, 2022.
Americans of Azad Kashmir ancestry of Washington metropolitan area organized ‘Reunion Eid Milan Party’ at All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS), Virginia on May 2. This year’s Eid Milan party was organized after a long gape of two years because of Covid 19 pandemic. There was an outpouring response from the community. Over 850 members of the community including women and children attended.
Certificate were given to two dozen community leaders to recognize their exceptional contribution towards the Kashmiri American community and more importantly for advocating the cause of Kashmir at the corridors of power in Washington, New York and beyond. The certificates were awarded by Washington based not-for-profit NGO: ‘Kashmir American welfare Association (KAWA).
During the festival, gifts were given to more than three dozen best dressed children by the organizers in the form of cash and kind.
Sardar Zarif Khan, Secretary General of KAWA and main organizer of the ‘Eid Milan Party’ said that the purpose of Eid festival is enjoyment, amusement and feasting but we cannot afford to ignore the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters in Indian occupied Kashmir. He added that the people of Kashmir have suffered long, and they demand, and they deserve peace. Sardar Zarif expressed his unconditional moral support to the people of Kashmir for a just and peaceful struggle and reiterated “We ask the people of the world to stand up and speak up for the freedom of Kashmir.”
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Mir, President, World Kashmir Awareness Forum expressed his admiration to the American community of Azad Kashmiri origin for being the advocates of peace in the United States for the cause of Kashmir. Kashmiris want peace but peace with dignity and honor, Mir added. Given a chance, Kashmiris could be instrumental to encourage peace and stability not only in Kashmir but in the region of the subcontinent as well. He appreciated the contribution of the Kashmiri American community who always stood by the side of Kashmir’s demand for a plebiscite.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness Forum said that it was the collective responsibility of diaspora to intensify their quest for peace and justice till they achieve the right to self-determination. He said that in recognition of all those who have laid down their lives so that the people of Kashmir may live with their heads held high, Kashmiri Americans vow to keep supporting our brethren in the occupied land. He explained that the struggle remains alive and vibrant because the people of Kashmir want to chart their own destiny. Fai suggested that an extensive use of social media should become instrumental in highlighting the struggle of people of Kashmir.
Yamin Khan, moderator of the program spoke about the huge sacrifices given by the people of Kashmir in seeking their birth right of Azadi. He said that the sacrifices of the people of Kashmir will not go in vain. We will be always there whenever people of Kashmir need us. He said that we must demonstrate our unwavering solidarity with Kashmiri people who are living in the largest open prison under the Indian military rule
Raja Liaqat Kiyani, President of Kashmir House, Washington spoke about the huge sacrifices given by the people of Kashmir in seeking their birth right of Azadi. He said that it was the duty of all peace-loving people of the world to support the people of Kashmir who are struggling for their right to self-determination. Our aim is to draw the attention of the United States to the situation in Kashmir and help stop human right violations.
Sardar Zubair Khan said that we feel honored to help our brethren in Jammu & Kashmir. We believe that it is only fair that the Kashmir dispute must be decided in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. We must accept whatever the people of Kashmir decide.
Sardar Shoaib Irshad said that the people of Jammu & Kashmir want Azadi (freedom). Our message to the people of Kashmir is: Continue your peaceful struggle; Freedom is ours; and don’t compromise on your basic principle of self-determination.
Ms. Shamshad Begum said that Kashmiris have no choice but to hang tough and keep hope for the best solution to emerge. She added that the people of Kashmir have suffered long and needlessly because of the endless brutalities committed by Indian army in Kashmir. The people of my homeland demand nothing but peace – peace for Kashmir and peace for the region.
Ms. Nargis Mughal said that it is the sacrifices of the people which kept the Kashmir dispute alive. She said that it was the responsibility of the Kashmiri diaspora to be the voice of voiceless people in the corridors of powers all over the world.
Saleem Qadri said that the sacrifice of the people of Kashmir will never be wasted. The blood of Kashmiri martyrs brings the goal for freedom and justice nearer. The nation of Kashmir has proved that Indian barbarism cannot kill their desire for right to self-determination.
Sardar Aftab Roshan Khan said that we stand in solidarity with the people of the occupied Kashmiris. We, as a nation will keep standing with the people of Jammu and Kashmir till the day of their independence.
Professor Saeed said that it was our duty to support the people of Kashmir who are struggling for their right to self-determination. Our objective is to draw the attention of the world powers to the situation in Kashmir.
Dr. Akhlaq Barlas expressed his unconditional moral and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir for a just and peaceful solution to the long-standing dispute. He said that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our Kashmiri brethren.
Shafiq Shah said that defying all odds, the brave desire and aspirations of the Kashmiris for liberty and justice remain strong forever.
Sharafat Shah said that the world powers do not need to take side of either India or Pakistan. However, as the members of humanity, we need to take side of justice and freedom. We as humans need to be the voice of voiceless.
Sardar Ashiq Khan of New York said that the suffering and misery of the Kashmiri people continues each day a peaceful resolution is deferred. Kashmir has a special place in our hearts and the issue cannot be ignored by the people of Azad Kashmir.
Other persons who spoke included:
Amin Khan; Abdi Khan; Waseem Khan; Tariq Khan; Latif Kayani; Mohsin Khan; Awais Naseem; Asghar Khan; Danish Khan; Sharaz Hayyat; Khalid Faheem; Farooq Khan; Hayat Khan; Azhar.
Dr. Fai can be reached at: 1-202-607-6435. Or. gnfai2003@yahoo.com
