JEDDAH: The Kashmir Committee in Jeddah, along with the Jammu Kashmir Overseas Community and the Consulate General of Pakistan, organized a significant reception to honor Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General of the World Kashmir Awareness Forum in Washington, D.C. The event was attended by a large number of Saudi intellectuals, scholars, and notable personalities, alongside members of the Kashmiri and Pakistani communities.
Expressing gratitude for the invitation, Dr. Fai addressed the pressing situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution amidst existential threats faced by the Kashmiri people due to Indian forces’ brutalities.
He commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its principled stance on the Kashmir dispute, as reiterated by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman during a recent meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif.
Dr. Fai highlighted the unique nature of the Kashmir issue, stressing its status as a disputed territory under international law, awaiting determination through a free vote supervised by the United Nations.
Addressing the audience, Major General (Retired) Abdullah Bin Saeed Alghamdi condemned India’s unilateral actions in altering the status of Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, citing violations of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Pakistan’s Consul General Khalid Majeed reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Kashmiri self-determination, while Masud Ahmed Puri, President of the Kashmir Committee in Jeddah, underscored the committee’s decades-long efforts to raise awareness about the Kashmir situation.
Professor Dr. Faiz Al-Abideen urged for international intervention to end the deadlock, advocating for a signature campaign to secure the release of Mohammad Yasin Malik and emphasizing the importance of Kashmiri voices in determining their future.
Former Convener of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Farooq Rehmani, reiterated the rejection of India’s claim over Kashmir and emphasized the international community’s support for Kashmiri aspirations.
President of the Jammu Kashmir Overseas Community in Jeddah, Sardar Waqas, highlighted Kashmir’s central role in Indo-Pak tensions, while Saudi businessman Ustaz Salim Al-Qahtani urged tangible support from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for the Kashmiri people.
The summit concluded with prayers for the martyrs of Gaza and Kashmir, underscoring solidarity with those affected by conflict in the region.
