Kashmiri Americans Observe Anniversary of Sheikh Abdul Aziz
Washington, DC: The Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center paid homage August 11 “to a giant of a man who gave that last full measure of devotion in unflagging pursuit of a just and noble cause. The anniversary of Sheikh Abdul Aziz is celebrated all over the world to remind the Indian leadership that the mission of Sheikh Abdul Aziz – the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir - never dies,” says a Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center Press Release. It adds:
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director, Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center said that Sheikh Abdul Aziz was a popular leader who was assassinated at the age of 52 when he was leading a peaceful procession in order to cross the Ceasefire Line – a line that is in fact a line of conflict. Sheikh Sahib was gunned down by Indian soldiers along with 9 innocent Kashmiris because he wanted to remind the world of the right of self-determination that was agreed upon by both India and Pakistan, and championed by the democratic powers, including the United States.
Dr. Fai emphasized that in sharp contrast to many political giants, Sheikh Sahib was self-effacing, not self-aggrandizing. He taught unity and compromise with the wisdom that if we do not all hang together, we will assuredly all hang separately. It was his spectacular success in unifying various ranks that frightened the enemy into plotting his dastardly death in 2008.
The charismatic Sheikh Sahib was also imprisoned scores of times for the sole "crime" of speaking out the truth, never compromising his principles and calling for justice, said Fai.
The Executive Director warned that the Kashmir problem has caused immense hardships to the people of the region of South Asia; the people of Kashmir in particular have been subjected to the worst kind of barbarous and inhuman treatment. Government of India should see the reason and take steps to resolve this question by accepting the APHC’s demand of tripartite talks - Governments of India and Pakistan and the leadership of the people of Jammu and Kashmir - without further delay. Government of India should also listen to India’s prominent personalities, like Vir Sanghvi who wrote in Hindustan Times, “If you believe in democracy, then giving Kashmiris the right to self-determination is the correct thing to do.”
The people of Kashmir will never forget the selfless contribution and the tireless efforts of Sheikh Abdul Aziz. His efforts will remain forever a milestone in the history of the freedom struggle of Kashmir. Let us all rededicate ourselves to the vision of Sheikh Abdul Aziz and continue our struggle in unity with full faith in truthfulness and fairness of the cause of Kashmir, Fai concluded.
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