Kashmiri Diaspora’s Get-together in Washington

 

Springfield, Virginia: It was exceptionally remarkable to see the leadership of Americans of Azad Kashmir heritage meeting at the residence of Sardar Zarif Khan in Springfield, a suburb of Washington, DC after a long time. Reason: Sardar Sawar Khan, former Advisor to the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir was experiencing some health issues and was not able to travel to Washington for the last two years. Likewise, Sardar Zarif Khan, Advisor to the President of Azad Kashmir was not feeling well either and did not travel to New York for more than a year. Both, Sardar Sawar Khan and Sardar Zarif Khan continue to be making gradual progress, Alhamdulillah.

Sardar Zarif Khan and his family were delighted to see and greet friends who had come from Saudi Arabia, Canada, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and of course the Washington metropolitan area as well.

It was underscored that the people in Azad Kashmir appreciate the dedication and selfless contribution of the Kashmiri diaspora towards highlighting the cause of Kashmir at the international level.  

It was also observed that the Kashmir cause needs professional experts to put forth the Kashmiri perspectives at important corridors of power. The Kashmiri diaspora must work for the common good of the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir, irrespective of party affiliations and political beliefs. They must become ambassadors of all people of Kashmir, irrespective of their religious background as well.

It was said that the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir have given unprecedented sacrifices, and our responsibility is to come to rescue them in their hour of need. Therefore, it was reinforced that the leadership of various political parties in Azad Kashmir has an important role to play in this regard.

 It was pointed out that Kashmiri Americans are positioned at one of the most important capitals of the world – Washington, DC. The youth and students, irrespective of their political affiliations and country of origin, must be motivated to volunteer in various activities, be it social media, organizing seminars, symposiums, lectures on university campuses, and elsewhere.

It was also decided that an extensive use of social media, especially videos, should become a vehicle for highlighting the struggle of the people of Kashmir. And an effective outreach campaign on the Kashmir dispute towards the peace-loving sections of the American civil society is the need of the time.

Well-known community leader Hamid Malik presented gifts to each participant as a token of appreciation. Those who attended the get-together included Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Sardar Sawar Khan, Aftab Shah, Sardar Imtiaz Khan (New Jersey), Sardar Sajid Sawar, Sardar Zubair Khan, Sadaqat Hayat, Sardar Shoaib Irshad, Sardar Aftab Roshan Khan, Hamid Malik, Kabir Khan, Sardar Iftikhar Khan, and Sardar Zeeshan Khan.

Du’a was made for the martyrs of Kashmir, and in particular for Haleema Malik, the paternal aunt of Yassin Malik, incarcerated leader of Kashmir freedom struggle, who passed away in Srinagar on December 21, 2024.

A special Dua was made for Sardar Zarif Khan, Sardar Sawar Khan, and Sardar Taj Khan for their early recovery!  

Sardar Zeeshan Zarif Khan served a delicious dinner, prepared by his mom, on the occasion.

(Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai is the Chairman, World Forum for Peace & Justice. - gnfai2003@yahoo.com)