APHC leaders pay tribute to Shaikh Abdul Aziz on 16th martyrdom anniversary
Srinagar: Incarcerated senior APHC leaders Shabir Ahmed Shah and Nayeem Ahmed Khan, along with other Hurriyat leaders, have paid glowing tributes to the revered Kashmiri leader, Shaheed-e-Azeemat Shaikh Abdul Aziz, on the occasion of his 16th martyrdom anniversary.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Shaikh Abdul Aziz was martyred by Indian troops on August 11, 2008, while he was leading a massive march towards Azad Kashmir. The march was a protest against the economic blockade imposed on the Kashmir Valley by Hindutva extremists in Jammu.
In a message from Tihar Jail, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), honored the supreme sacrifices made by the martyred leader, describing Shaikh Aziz as a man of unparalleled honesty and integrity who dedicated his entire life to the Kashmir cause. Shah emphasized that Shaikh Aziz was one of the pioneering figures of the ongoing liberation struggle, enduring countless trials and tribulations in his relentless pursuit of the right to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “Shaikh Aziz Shaheed will be remembered for generations in the annals of Kashmir’s history for his unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions to the freedom struggle,” Shah stated.
In a separate message from Tihar Jail, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir National Front, honored Shaheed Sheikh Abdul Aziz as a man of unwavering principles who dedicated his entire life to the Kashmir cause. Khan emphasized that Shaikh Sahib’s commitment was evident in both his life and death, as he devoted himself entirely to the cause he championed. Highlighting the significant sacrifices made by the martyred leader, Khan stated that Shaikh Abdul Aziz would be remembered for his unparalleled contributions and resolute role in the freedom struggle. Reflecting on their long association, Khan noted, “We worked together for many years under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League, and his legacy continues to inspire our struggle.”
Bilal Ahmed Siddiqui, another illegally detained APHC leader, has paid tribute to Shaikh Abdul Aziz, describing him as a symbol of struggle and sacrifice. He stated that a living nation is characterized by its remembrance of martyrs and its continued struggle to fulfill their mission.
Another illegally detained APHC leader Molvi Bashir Ahmed Irfani, and other Hurriyat leaders, including Ghulam Mohammad Khan Sopori, Zamaruda Habib, Yasmeen Raja, and Fareeda Behnji also paid tribute to Shaikh Abdul Aziz. They described him as a determined, confident, steadfast, and passionate leader who sacrificed his precious life for the freedom struggle of Jammu and Kashmir from Indian occupation.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, senior APHC-AJK leader and Chairman of the J&K People’s Freedom League, paid tribute to Sheikh Abdul Aziz, honoring his unwavering commitment to Kashmiris’ freedom struggle. He highlighted Sheikh Aziz’s sacrifice during the historic 2008 march from Srinagar to Muzaffarabad against the blockade imposed by Hindutva extremists. Rehmani condemned the lack of accountability for Sheikh Abdul Aziz’s murder and called for an impartial judicial probe. He reaffirmed that the sacrifices of Sheikh Abdul Aziz and other martyrs would not be in vain, praying for their eternal peace.
Another senior leader of the APHC-AJK chapter and acting Chairman of the DFP, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, also paid tributes to Shaikh Abdul Aziz. In a statement in Islamabad, Saghar said, “The proud legacy of the martyred leader will continue to inspire future generations who believe in freedom and justice. Shaikh Sahib was a man of profound honesty and integrity, always ready to lay down his life for the sacred cause. He demonstrated this by fearlessly leading the historic march towards Muzaffarabad on August 11, 2008, where he ultimately achieved martyrdom.” Saghar emphasized that the best way to pay tributes to this iconic Kashmiri leader is to remain steadfast in the struggle and to carry the ongoing movement to its logical conclusion.
Other APHC-AJK leaders, including Information Secretary Mushtaq Ahmed Butt, Altaf Hussain Wani, Shaikh Yaqoob, Syed Aijaz Rehmani, Eng. Mushtaq Mehmood, Zahid Ashraf, Syed Gulshan, Shaikh Abdul Majid and Uzair Ahmad Ghazali, have issued statements highlighting that Shaikh Abdul Aziz’s martyrdom has reinvigorated the Kashmiri movement for self-determination. They affirmed that the sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs will not be in vain, and the people are resolute in achieving their mission regardless of the obstacles.
The leaders emphasized that the most fitting tribute to Shaikh Aziz and other martyrs is to continue advancing the sacred cause for which they gave their lives. They characterized Shaikh Aziz as a courageous, steadfast, and sincere leader who chose martyrdom over submission to oppressive India. His legacy, they said, serves as an enduring source of inspiration for the ongoing struggle for freedom.
