We Don’t Feel Happiness Because of Gaza: KAWA
Washington, D: Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are two major holidays celebrated by Muslims all over the world. Eid-ul-Fitr commemorates the end of fasting. It is celebrated as the fulfillment of religious duties during the month of Ramadan. In the United States, Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 this year.
The board of directors of ‘Kashmir American Welfare Association’ (KAWA), mostly Americans of Azad Kashmir ancestry in Washington metropolitan area, organized an Eid Milan party at the Islamic Center of Potomac, Maryland. Brother Mohammad V. Mohsin, Sri Lankan-American businessman and chairman of the Board of the Islamic Center who donated more than eight acres of land to build this Islamic Center also attended the Eid celebration. The board of KAWA thanked Brother Mohsin for his selfless contribution to making the Islamic Center a reality.
More than 600 community members, including women and children, participated in the Eid-ul-Fitr program.
However, the celebration was overshadowed by the genocide taking place in Gaza.
Raja Liaqat Kayani, President of KAWA, speaking on the occasion said that our brethren in Gaza could not celebrate the Eid while mourning for the dead. Likewise, our brethren in occupied Kashmir were not allowed to observe the Lailatul Qadar, Jummatul Widah and Salatul Eid – three important events that occur during Ramadan -- at the Grand Mosque (Jamia Masjid) inSrinagar.
The Eid Milan celebration began with a special Du’a for the martyrs of Gaza and Kashmir. To date, about 37,0000 innocent people of Gaza including thousands of women and children have been brutally massacred. More than two million Gazans are faced with starvation. Food and essential medical supplies are unavailable, and all hospitals have been reduced to rubble.
Ambassador Masood Khan, Pakistan’s envoy to the United States who was the chief guest, appreciated the sincere efforts of the board of KAWA which organized the grand event. We cannot celebrate Eid here in Washington and not talk about our brothers and sisters in Palestine and Kashmir, Ambassador Masood noted. He urged the community to be united on one single objective - the right of self-determination for the people of Kashmir.
Sardar Zubair Khan, representing Virginia, said that we cannot let down the people of occupied Kashmir. They have made supreme sacrifices and we must become their voice in Washington and beyond. He added that the people of Kashmir have suffered long, and they demand and deserve peace.
Sardar Zarif Khan distributed Eid gifts to more than 150 children who were wearing traditional national dress. Some of them were able to fast for the first time.
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General of World Kashmir Awareness Forum, said that we are saddened that the world powers, including the Biden Administration have turned a blind eye to the sufferings of the Palestinians. There is all talk but no action. Likewise, the Modi Administration has made Kashmir hell for its inhabitants. Let us be the voice of the voiceless people of Palestine, Kashmir, and all oppressed people of the world, Fai added.
Dr Ghulam Nabi Mir, President, World Kashmir Awareness Forum, came just to express his admiration for the American community of Azad Kashmiri origin for being the advocates of peace in the United States for the cause of Kashmir.
Sardar Yamin Khan, who acted as the moderator, expressed his joy at the outpouring response of the community to be present at the Eid Milan party. Yamin Khan said that we stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and occupied Kashmir who have given immense sacrifices for the last more than 76 years.
Others who made this event a success included: Sardar Shafi khan; Abid Khan; Sardar Aftab Roshan; Waseem Khan; Sheraz Hayat; Latif Kayani; Shakil Anjum; Moqsood Khan; Shafique Shah; Seemab Shafique; Ani Shafique; Arshad Bukhari; Sohail Saleem; Awais Naseem; M. Nasar; Ashfaq shah; Asghar Khan; Farooq Khan and many others.
Dr Fai is the Chairman, World Forum for Peace & Justice. - gnfai2003@yahooc.om
