By: Syed Mussarat Khalil:
The Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah organized a significant community gathering on Friday to observe Kashmir Black Day, marking October 27 as a somber reminder of the unresolved Kashmir issue. Prominent members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri communities attended the event held at the Pakistan Consulate to show solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K).
The event began with the reading of special messages from Pakistan’s President, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister. Syed Mohammad Fawad Sher, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), served as the keynote speaker. Chairman of the Kashmir Committee, Mr. Masood Puri, and Acting Chairman of the J&K Overseas Community, Mr. M. Arif Mughal, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the hardships faced by the people of IIOJ&K.
Students from Pakistani Community Schools gave poignant speeches, reflecting the sentiments of Pakistan’s younger generation in support of the Kashmir cause. The speakers condemned the actions of the Indian occupying forces, particularly since the revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and paid tribute to the sacrifices made by Kashmiris. They reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to its moral, political, and diplomatic support for Kashmir’s right to self-determination, as pledged by the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Mr. Khalid Majid, Consul General of Pakistan, acknowledged the consistent support of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Saudi government for the Kashmir cause. Renowned Pakistani author Dr. Khalid Abbas Al Assadi also shared his thoughts on the historical significance of the Kashmir freedom struggle and the resilience of the Kashmiri people.
The event concluded with a collective prayer for the legitimate freedom struggles of the people of Kashmir and Palestine, underscoring the enduring solidarity and commitment of the Pakistani and Kashmiri communities.
