Washington, D.C. April 22, 2023: Eid al-Fitr was celebrated in the United States of America on Friday, April 21, 2023. Eid al-Fitr is observed as the accomplishment of religious duties during the month of Ramadhan — month of fasting.
Americans of Azad Kashmir ancestry of Washington metropolitan area organized ‘Eid Milan Party’ at All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS), Virginia. There was an amazing response from the members of the community. Over 650 members of the community including women and children attended who were seen wearing the traditional dress of Kashmir. The banner of the Eid Milan read, “Happy Eid Mubarak: With prayers for the oppressed people of Jammu & Kashmir.”
Gifts and certificate were given to more than dozen children who were able to fast for the first time. Masha’Allah! Certificates of appreciation were awarded to the following volunteers who were responsible for making the Eid Milan a big success; Quratul Ain Shah; Seemab Shafiq; Andleeb Waqas Khan; Nargis Mughal; and Latif Kiyani. Besides, more than 125 gift boxes were distributed among the children of all ages.
Ambassador Masood Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States was the guest of honor. Ambassador Masood Khan expressed his gratitude to Azad Kashmir community for organizing such a wonderful event. The people of occupied Kashmir have lot of expectation with the Kashmiri diaspora, in particular the ones with Azad Kashmir ancestry, Ambassador added. You have demonstrated through your deep involvement and resilience to be true ambassadors of the cause of Kashmir. I am so proud of my community in Washington metropolitan area, Ambassador said.
Sardar Zarif Khan, Secretary General of Kashmir American Welfare Association (KAWA) and main organizer of the ‘Eid Milan Party’ said that while we celebrate the Eid today, but we cannot turn the blind eye to the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters in Jammu & Kashmir. We express our unconditional moral support to the people of occupied land. We ask Biden Administration to stand up and speak up for the freedom of Kashmir, Zarif added.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Mir, President, World Kashmir Awareness Forum who attended the event along with other members of the board, expressed his admiration to the American community of Azad Kashmiri origin for being the advocates of Kashmir cause in the United States. He applauded the contribution of the Kashmiri American community who always stood by the side of Kashmir’s demand for right of self-determination…
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, ‘World Forum for Peace & Justice’ said that it is 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 also thanked the participants to becoming instrumental in highlighting the struggle of people of Kashmir in Washington, DC. New York and beyond.
Dr. Imtiaz Khan, Professor at George Washington University Medical Center said the purpose of attending the Eid gathering organized by Azad Kashmiris in greater Washington DC area was to demonstrate the oneness of our cause and struggle for people in Indian occupied Kashmir. It was an opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to people of Azad Kashmir in the area who have been in forefront in the effort for highlighting the issue of IOK in this country. Our presence was to demonstrate that we are inseparably linked by this common goal. People of Azad Kashmir deserve kudos for their passion and sensitivity towards the people of IOK.
Sardar Zubair Khan, co-organizer of Eid Milan spoke about the immense sacrifices given by the people of occupied Kashmir to regain their human rights and human dignity. Zubair Khan added that the sacrifice of the people of Kashmir will never go in vain.
Shoaib Irshad, another co-organizer of the Eid Milan said that the people of Azad Kashmir will be always there whenever people of occupied Kashmir need them. He said that Kashmiri American diaspora of Azad Kashmir ancestry demonstrates its unwavering solidarity with people of occupied Kashmir.
Raja Liaqat Kiyani, President of Kashmir House, Washington said: How can we abandon our brethren of Jammu & Kashmir who are living in the largest militarized zone in the world? We stand with them, and we strive for our just cause with them.
Khalid Fahim of ICNA said that peace-loving people and nations of the world must support the people of Kashmir who are fighting to exercise their right to self-determination.
Sardar Aftab Roshan Khan drew the attention of the United States to the situation in Kashmir and urge United States Administration to help stop human right violations there.
Sardar Asghar Khan said that our message to the people of Kashmir is simple: continue your peaceful struggle and don’t compromise on your basic principle of self-determination. Freedom is ours.
Ms. Shamshad Begum said 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.
Maqsood Hussain 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.
Zahid Kiyani of ICNA 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 wishes of the people of Kashmir and the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Sardar Yameen Khan said that we stand in solidarity with the people of the occupied Kashmiris who have given immense sacrifices for the last more than 76 years.
Professor Saeed said that it was our duty to draw the attention of the world powers to the just cause of Kashmir. Being in Washington gives us tremendous opportunity to raise the voice of our brethren before the law-making personalities and agencies of America.
Other persons who spoke included:
Sardar Zahid Khan, Abdi Khan; Waseem Khan; Tariq Khan; Mohsin Khan; Sharaz Khan; Farooq Khan; Hayat Khan; Sardar Tariq Khan, Owauis Khan, Bashir Khan, Sharafat Shah
The Eid Milan was concluded after making special Dua for the martyrs of Kashmir freedom struggle.
Dr. Fai can be reached at: WhatsApp: 1-202-607-6435. Or. gnfai2003@yahoo.com www.kashmirawareness.org
