‘Gilani presented Kashmir as legitimate struggle for self-determination’
Dallas, Texas: Canadian-Kashmir scholar Dr Farhan Chak has said that Syed Ali Gilani presented Kashmir not as a separatist movement but as a legitimate struggle for self-determination.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Dr Farhan Chak was speaking on the subject of Kashmir during the 61st Annual Convention of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) at Dallas, Texas.
Other speakers included Imam Nur Abdullah of Sudan, former President of ISNA and Sardar Israr Ayub of Azad Kashmir. The moderator was a distinguished American scholar of Kashmiri Origin, Professor Faizan Haq of Buffalo State University, New York.
He said at present, Kashmir suffers from military occupation and the unbearable presence of nearly a million soldiers/paramilitaries. He said in front of this, Syed Ali Gilani, more than anyone else, has displayed exemplary courage. In the heart of New Delhi, he has called out Indian atrocities regardless of death threats, he added.
Dr Chak said that no one has continuously impacted the entirety of the Kashmiri freedom movement as Gilani. Among the ebbs and flows of resistance, and the push and pull of all kinds of traitors, he alone has stood as an immovable rock, he added.
Dr Ghulam Nabi Mir, President of World Kashmir Awareness Forum and Chairman of Kashmir Diaspora Coalition, said Syed Ali Gilani, a larger than life political and spiritual leader, revered by Kashmiris, young and old as the BUB (father) of Kashmiri nation.
He said no political leader in the last 50 years matched, let alone surpassed him in political stature, personal integrity and strength of character as Syed Ali Gilani. He said Indian leaders used all types of temptation, torture and their characteristic diabolical techniques to dissuade him from following his path of resistance to occupation and settler colonialism over Jammu and Kashmir but the massive military and administrative machine did not deter Gilani Sahab from facing them off.
He added that neither left wing Congress, nor the extreme Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party could break his determination to pursue his goal of right to self-determination. Through all his struggle for freedom he never harbored any personal bitterness against his political enemies inside Kashmir or the Hindu enemies within Kashmir or India, he maintained.
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, General Secretary of World Kashmir Awareness Forum, said today on September 1, 2024, the Kashmiris are paying tribute to Syed Ali Gilani who was a scholar, intellectual, prolific writer and above all an incorruptible and conscientious leader of Kashmiri political resistance movement.
Dr Fai added that Syed Ali Gilani was the defender and protector of minority rights and always stood for the religious, cultural and social rights of the minorities.
Dr Fai spelled out that Syed Ali Gilani proved prophetic when he said during a press conference on October 26, 2009, that “500,000 Biharia will be given Kashmiri citizenship. Six to seven hundred thousand army will be given citizenship to change the demography of Kashmir. India will say OK, let us have a referendum now.” Who could have believed in 2009 that the RSS led Modi government would enact Domicile Law in 2020 and issue more than 4.3 million domicile certificates to Indian citizens to change the demography of Kashmir?
Dr Imtiaz Khan, Kashmiri-American scholar, said that today the September 1, 2024, marks the third death anniversary of Syed Ali Shah Gilani, illustrious and undisputed leader of Kashmiri people. As the saying goes “some people are born great, some achieve greatness by dint of their ability and hard work, while some have greatness thrust on them”. Syed Ali Gilani belonged to the second category. In the path of “struggle for freedom” he never wavered or quivered from his noble stand, nor did he give in to severe torture, isolation and enticement of power. He stood like a “rock of Gibraltar” for the rights of Kashmiri people.
On September 1 2021, after protracted illness, isolation and denial of advanced medical care Gilani Sahib embarked on a journey to meet his Allah. Against all the basic norms, his family was not allowed to perform religious rites. The body was confiscated by the occupation forces, and he was buried at a place chosen by Indian authorities. The hours after his death were announced, large contingents of police and paramilitary troopers in riot gear were deployed outside his home and the whole valley was put under strict curfew. The residence was turned into a fortress, and family and relatives remained confined inside the house. Although the Indian establishment has deprived Kashmiris the opportunity to visit his grave and offer Fateh prayers, his words and teaching will remain inscribed on the minds and hearts of his people. As per wishes of Gilani Sahib, the thirst for freedom will stay unquenched till the dream is realized. May Allah place the soul of Gilani Sahib in Jannatul Firdous! Ameen! Dr. Khan concluded.
Meanwhile, Nazeer Ahmed Qureshi, founder of the World Kashmir Freedom Movement, in a statement said that the prolonged house arrest of Syed Ali Geelani until his death is a stain on Indian democracy. Geelani was a leader of unwavering determination and integrity, who remained committed to the Kashmir freedom movement despite being elected to the state assembly three times. Qureshi described Geelani as a symbol of sacrifice, who spent most of his life in Indian jails and was later confined to his home for 12 years until his death. Despite his wishes and those of the Kashmiri people, Geelani was buried in a secret location by Indian authorities, highlighting the brutal nature of Indian rule in Kashmir.
