Enthusiastic and Outpouring Response to Eid Milan Party in Washington
Washington, DC: 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 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 gap of two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic. There was an outpouring response from the community. Over 850 members of the community, including women and children. attended.
Certificates were given to two dozen community leaders to recognize their exceptional contributions for the Kashmiri American community and more importantly for advocating the cause of Kashmir in the corridors of power in Washington, New York, and beyond. The certificates were awarded by the Washington-based not-for-profit NGO ‘Kashmir American Welfare Association (KAWA).
During the celebration, gifts were given to more than three dozen best dressed children by the organizers by way of cash and kind.
Sardar Zarif Khan, Secretary General of KAWA and main organizer of the ‘Eid Milan Party,’ said that the purpose of an 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 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 for the American community of Azad Kashmiri origin for being 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 in ushering 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 which always supported Kashmiris’ demand for a plebiscite.
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness Forum, said that it was the collective responsibility of the 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 out their own destiny. Fai suggested that an extensive use of social media should become instrumental in highlighting the struggle of the 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 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 be decided in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. We must accept whatever the people of Kashmir decide.
Other speakers included: Sardar Shoaib Irshad, Ms. Shamshad Begum, Ms. Nargis Mughal, Saleem Qadri,
Sardar Aftab Roshan Khan, Professor Saeed, Dr Akhlaq Barlas, Shafiq Shah, Sharafat Shah, Sardar Ashiq Khan, Amin Khan; Abdi Khan; Waseem Khan; Tariq Khan; Latif Kayani; Mohsin Khan; Awais Naseem; Asghar Khan; Danish Khan; Sharaz Hayyat; Khalid Faheem; Farooq Khan; and Hayat Khan. - gnfai2003@yahoo.com
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