JEDDAH, Oct 27 (APP):The Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah organized a community gathering to commemorate 27 October as Kashmir Black Day, where prominent members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri communities, along with notable Saudi guests, attended the event.
The proceedings commenced with special messages from the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan.
Consul General of Pakistan in Jeddah Syed Mustafa Rabbani and Pakistan’s Ambassador to the OIC, Syed Mohammad Fawad Sher, were the keynote speakers. Kashmir Committee Chairman Masood Puri and J&K Overseas Community Chairman Arif Mughal also highlighted the plight of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).
A documentary illustrating the situation in IIOJ&K was screened, giving participants a comprehensive understanding of the violations of international law and the challenges faced by local residents.
The speakers underlined the historical significance of the day and condemned the brutalities of Indian forces in IIOJ&K, particularly since 5 August 2019. They paid tribute to the sacrifices of Kashmiris against Indian oppression and stressed that the people of Pakistan will never withdraw from their just and ethical stand on the issue.
The gathering reiterated Pakistan’s moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their struggle for the right to self-determination, as promised to them by the international community through UN Security Council resolutions.
Speaking on the occasion, Consul General Rabbani acknowledged and lauded the consistent support of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Saudi government for the Kashmir cause.
In a gesture of solidarity, a book by Dr Talha Al Kashmiri was launched at the event. Titled “Bayna Ashjar al-Jinar”, it is described as the first Arabic-language novel on Kashmir. The novel weaves the Kashmir issue into themes of humanity, love, culture and the beauty of the region.
The author, a Pakistani expatriate of Kashmiri origin living in Saudi Arabia, shared his experience of writing the work and thanked the Kashmiri community and the Kashmir Committee Jeddah for their support in bringing it to publication. Copies were distributed among attendees.The event concluded with a collective prayer for the people of Kashmir and their legitimate struggle for freedom.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
