Report by:Noorulhassan Gujjar
Jeddah :The Kashmiri and Pakistani community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia observed Kashmir Solidarity Day with traditional zeal and fervor. The main event was held at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah, featuring special messages from the President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Commerce, Mr. Jam Kamal Khan, was the chief guest. In his address, he emphasized the need to raise mass awareness about the historical and legal aspects of the Kashmir issue. He described India’s occupation of Jammu and Kashmir as a moral and legal challenge to the global conscience and international legal framework.
Distinguished speakers included Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Ahmad Farooq; Minister for Rehabilitation, Government of Azad Kashmir, Mr. Ch. Javed Iqbal; Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the OIC, Mr. Syed Muhammad Fawad Sher; Chairman Kashmir Committee Jeddah, Mr. Masood Puri; and Acting Chairman of the Overseas Jammu and Kashmir Committee, Mr. Eng. Arif Mughal. They strongly condemned India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, stressing that despite turning Kashmir into a heavily militarized region, India has failed to crush the resilient spirit of the freedom-loving Kashmiri people.
The Consul General of Pakistan in Jeddah, Mr. Khalid Majid, expressed deep gratitude to the Saudi leadership for their continued support for the Kashmir cause. He also lauded the role of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in raising global awareness about the Kashmir issue. The Consul General urged the international community and the United Nations to fulfill their responsibilities in ensuring that Kashmiris can exercise their right to self-determination.
Speakers highlighted the atrocities committed by Indian forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and condemned India’s attempts to alter the region’s demographic composition. They called upon the global community to unite and ensure justice for the people of Kashmir in line with UN resolutions.
A documentary showcasing the plight of Kashmiris under Indian occupation and the human rights violations perpetrated by Indian forces was screened during the event. Participants also expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine, urging the international community and the UN to take immediate action to stop the genocide in Gaza.
The event was attended by diplomats, political figures, and members of civil society organizations based in Jeddah. The participants reaffirmed their unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle for their right to self-determination.