Amazing Response at Eid Milan Party in Washington

Washington, DC: 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, including women and children wearing traditional Kashmir dress, were in attendance. 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 children of all ages.

Ambassador Masood Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, was the guest of honor. Ambassador Khan expressed his gratitude to the 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 Khan 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,” the 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 Eid we cannot turn a 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 the 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 advocates of the Kashmir cause in the United States. He applauded the contribution of the Kashmiri American community who always stood by the side of the Kashmiris’ demand for the right of self-determination. 

Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, ‘World Forum for Peace & Justice,’ said it is 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 also thanked the participants for being instrumental in highlighting the struggle of the 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 of Indian occupied Kashmir. It was an opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to people of Azad Kashmir in the area who have been in the forefront in the effort to highlight 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, Shoaib Irshad, Raja Liaqat Kiyani, Khalid Fahim, Sardar Aftab Roshan Khan, Sardar Asghar Khan, Ms. Shamshad Begum, Maqsood Hussain, Zahid Kiyani, Sardar Yameen Khan, Professor Saeed, Sardar Zahid Khan, Abdi Khan, Waseem Khan, Tariq Khan, Mohsin Khan, Sharaz Khan, Farooq Khan,  Hayat Khan, Sardar Tariq Khan, Owauis Khan, Bashir Khan, and Sharafat Shah also spoke on the occasion. -gnfai2003@yahoo.com