A cultural and family get-together celebrating Kashmir was held in Leeds organised by the Sudhan Educational Conference UK

Celebrating Kashmir: A Joyous Cultural and Family Get-Together in Leeds

Leeds, Great Britain – The Sudhan Educational Conference UK (SEC UK) in collaboration with the Kashmir Development Foundation (KDF), The Diabetes Centre (TDC), Leeds City Council and the Kashmiri Diaspora community, businesses and philanthropists proudly hosted a vibrant and memorable Kashmir Cultural and Family Get-Together in Leeds, uniting the Kashmiri community and celebrating their rich heritage. This historic event was a testament to the enduring spirit and cultural pride of the Kashmiris, particularly those from the Poonch region, residing across the UK.

The gathering saw an impressive turnout, with families from all corners of England joining to honour their cultural roots and traditions. Distinguished guests included Member of Parliament Richard Burgon MP, Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, former Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Asghar Khan, Councillor Luke Farley, Councillor Nkele Ch, Councillor Salma Arif, Councillor Asghar Ali, Councillor Muhammad Shahzad, Councillor Rafique Khan, Ex-Councillor Arif Hussain, Former Councillor Ghulam Hussain, among others. These esteemed dignitaries expressed their deep appreciation for the positive contributions of the Kashmiri community to the British economy, politics, and social development.

The Lord Mayor Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung officially opened the event and welcomed the community members to the city. She said, “I came to Leeds 24 years ago and made it my home, and now I am the Lord Mayor of this great city. The United Kingdom is a land of opportunities. Anyone committed to working hard and serving our diverse communities can achieve the highest public and civic office within our democracy”.

MP Richard Burgon MP praised the event, stating, “Such programs not only provide a much-needed opportunity to gather in a bustling country like Britain but also allow the younger generation to connect with the culture and heritage of their ancestral regions and grow into well-rounded British citizens.”

The event featured a variety of activities designed to engage all generations. To foster religious interest among young children, Qari Izhar Ahmed and Moulana Tariq Masood facilitated competitions in the recitation of the Holy Quran, Naat, and Nasheed were held. In addition, Ms Zaida Sadozai and Sardar Tariq Khan coordinated cricket, football, and other sports and physical activities enjoyed by many in the scenic setting of Roundhay Park, rekindling the memories of the pearl valleys of Kashmir. The cricket tournament attracted a large crowd. Seven cricket teams from Leeds, London, Luton, Birmingham, Nottingham, Oldham, and Worthing competed for the coveted Kashmir Cup. The Birmingham Kashmir Cricket Team clinched the victory over London in the final. Sardar Tariq Khan extended his thanks to all teams and their active participation in the cricket tournament.

Ms. Zaida Sadozai engaged and entertained children, young people, and older adults through the Giant Skittle game, Sack Race, Limbo competition, and Great Get Together Sweets and Desserts, Picnic in the Park. Mrs Parveen Khan facilitated the Kashmir Information Stand through the display of Pahari Arts, Culture, and household items. A famous folk singer, Bashir Lohar, and his team captivated the audience, including the Lord Mayor of Leeds, with his melodious voice and special performance.
One of the highlights of the event was the “Walk for Kashmir”, which emphasized the ongoing significance of the Kashmir issue. Kashmiri community members reaffirmed that the Kashmiri nation, whether in joy or sorrow, will never forget its natural rights.

President of SEC UK, Dr Shoukat Ali Khan, extended heartfelt thanks to the honourable guests and all the participants of the event. He highlighted SEC UK’s mission to empower individuals and enrich communities through education and socio-economic development. The practical measures undertaken by SEC UK in various fields were also underscored.

Sardar Aftab Khan, Executive Director of Kashmir Development Foundation extended his gratitude to all the event participants, members of the host Leeds Kashmiri community, volunteers, sponsors and event coordinators from Nottingham (Ejaz Sharif, Sadi Khan MBE, Jamil Khan, Shahid Sharif, Sarar Nasim Iqbal, Hafeez Khan), Luton (Asif Sharif, Sabir Gul, Dr Mazhar Kiyani), Scunthorpe ( Mr & Mrs Nazakat Hussian, Khadija Masood, Abid Khan Mohammed), Doncaster ( Syed Abbas Ali, Fahim Khan, Hamza Khan, Haris Khan) Preston (Khalid Khan), Bolton ( Akram Khan, Sara Jamal) Oldham ( Wajid Ayub, Adil Khan), Manchester (Saidzada Noor Hussain, Amjad Khan, Mrs Gazzala) Crawley (Mrs Rubina Khan, Mrs Parveen Khan, Rozina Khan, ), Worthing ( Sardar Nadeem Khan, Asad khan, Imran Hafeez, Zyan Khan, Hassan Khan, Mowad Khan, Zaheer Khan, Amir Riaz, Maj Naeem, Sajid Khan) London (Qumar Ayaz), Birmingham (Mrs Farhat Khan, Dr Farooq Khan, Sayed Riaz Shah, Moulana Tariq Massod, Qari Izhar Ahmed, Jehnzeb Khan, Dr Shoukat Khan), Reading (Abdul Rehman), Derby (Mohammed Khalid Khan).

Sumptuous food was served to all guests, providing a delightful conclusion to the event at the Bilal Community Centre of Masjid Bilal Leeds. Dr Farooq Khan, Director of Resources at the Diabetes Centre, said that the gathering strengthened community bonds and inspired a renewed sense of cultural pride and responsibility among the attendees.

Abid Saeed extended his thanks to the host Kashmiri community in Leeds and over 800 participants who attended the event individually or with their families and joined us in celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir and supporting initiatives that bring our community together. He said that our corporate, family, and individual sponsors deserve the appreciation and support of everyone attending this event through their generous commitment and financial support that helped us successfully host this event.

Corporate Sponsors, Leeds City Council, Kashmir Development Foundation, The Diabetes Centre, Pearl Valley Solicitors, Leeds Mobile and Computers, Kashmir Supermarket, KMS Business Services Ltd, ASK Health and Wellbeing Solutions Ltd, Illusion Print and Design, Leeds Mobile and Computers, Ali Choudhary, AnK Builders, Jannet Securities.

Individual Sponsors: Choudhary Arshad Ul Haq, Sheraz Akhtar Choudhary, Abid Khan, Jawed Abbasi, Wasim Khan, Sardar Tariq Khan, A Amir, Majid Nawaz, Tariq Khan Gora, Qammar Ayaz, Azhar Iqbal Khan, Zafar M Khan, Nazakat Hussain, Mohammed Khalid, Arshad Chaudhary, Khalid Yamin Khan, Moulana Tariq Masood, Abid Saeed, Shaikh Waheed, Abid Hussain, Zia Ahmed, Majid Hussain, Dr Shouat Ali Khan, Sardar Aftab Khan, Sardar Nadeem Khan, Asad Ishaque, W Ashraf, M Khan, S M Irfan Tahir, Rabbie Muharib.

Family Sponsor: Ejaz Sharif, I Hameed, Azhar Iqbal Khan, Zafar M Khan, Toseef Khan, Adil Khursheed, Asim Shoukat, Syed Barkat Al Hassan, Hamaza Manzoor, H Shaheen, S Waheed, Muhammed Khan, M Zaman Jan, S Sadozai, M Amir, Zaida Saozai.

Zia Ahmed, Chief Volunteers Coordinator, welcomes and apricates the support of over 70 volunteers who are recognised through certificates of appreciation and will continue to receive mentoring support and signposting about opportunities for their careers and professional development.

Female volunteers: Mrs Rubina Khan, Rozina Khan, Shakila Khan, Parveen Khan, Khadija Masood, Shazia Parveen, Doctor Naheed, Shahida Tariq, Robina Razzaq, Zarka Abid, Talat Majid, Saeeda Aslam, Waheeda Wasim, Nabeela Zia, Shiwain, Ashmal, Bisal Asad, Madiha Tariq, Zahida, Mrs Shiraz Choudary, Parveen Tassadaq, Sana Waheed, Maryam Tariq, Sajida Aslam, Regina Waheed, Wajiha Zia, Eshal Khan, Heera Abid, Deedam, Zoofishan, Shazia Kousar, Ammara, Hafsa Majid, Sajida Majid, Kubra Khan, Farzana Nazakat, Shaida, Nabeela Saeed, Alia Shareef, Rameen, Urooj Naseem, Miss Amber Khan, Miss Marya Khan, Mrs Rani Khan, Mrs Humera Zulfiqar.

Volunteers: Dr Shaukat Ali Khan, Sardar Aftab Khan, Sardar Nadeem Khan, Ejaz Sharif, Shahid Sharif, Qamar Ayaz, Asif Sharif, Sabir Gul, Hafeez Khan, Jamil Khan, Abid Khan, Zia Ahmed, Sardar Tariq Khan, Abid Saeed, Waheed Ashraf, Asad Ishaque, Waseem Ishaque Khan, Sardar Waheed, Musa Khan, Saqib Khan, Ishtiaq Sadiq, Majid Khan, Hamza Manzoor, Asim Shoukat, Kamroosh Tariq, Abid Hussain, Adnan Faiz, Azhar Iqbal, Gulfarz Arif, Amjid Nawaz, Zafar Mahmoud Khan, Toseef Niaz, Wajid Ayub, Gulfraz Amir, Dr Farooq Aziz, Abdul Ghafar, Abdul Rehman, Dr Iqbal, Adil Khursheed, Jalil Tariq, Saeed Khan, Nazakat Hussain, Adnan Sarwar, Syed Riaz Shah, Syed Mannan Riaz.

For more information about the Sudhan Educational Conference UK and future events, please visit our website www.secuk.org

Report by S M Irfan Tahir Photojournalist / Member National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Great Britain.