Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct 27: Like other parts of the world, the Kashmir Black Day was also observed in Malaysia as a mark of protest against the occupation of the Kashmir Valley by the Indian troops 63 years ago.
To commemorate the Black Day, a Seminar was held under the auspices of two Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) of Malaysia, Global Peace Mission(GPM) and Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) in Kuala Lumpur, today.
The seminar was attended, amongst others, by Malaysians from all walks of life, including students academicians and a large number of Pakistan Community in Malaysia. Secretary General of ABIM and the Chief Executive of Global Peace Mission Mr. Mohd Asri Abdul were also present on this important occasion.
The representatives of Malaysian think tanks and academicians including Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, President of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST), an international NGO, Dr Arif Zakaullah, Professor at International Islamic University and Dr Ruhanas Harun, a well known academic and linguist were the key speakers.
Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, Dr Ruhanas Harun and Dr Arif Zakaullah reminded the international community that the people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to remain deprived of not only their fundamental rights, but also of their inalienable right of self determination.
They said that Kashmiris are peace-loving people and the current phase of the youths uprising is a peaceful political movement. They termed it as a renewed call to the International community to compel India to stop killings of the Kashmiri people through gruesome human rights violations.
The speakers were of the view that the present uprising is indigenous and outburst of simmering resentment among the Kashmiri people who have been under Indian subjugation for decades. They said that Kashmiris have chosen to speak for themselves for their freedom from Indian occupation and are demanding exercise of their inalienable right of self-determination pledged to them by the international community through solemn UN Security Council resolutions.
Two students, Miss Salwa Musani, and Miss Ramla Ariff in their speeches said that since1947, Kashmir has remained at the core of South Asias issues of peace and security, and is a sombre reminder to the world that the people of Kashmir remained deprived of fundamental values and freedoms. They said that Kashmir is aflame again amid a renewed outpouring of popular, non-violent revolt against Indias military occupation which has given a new dimension to this indomitable struggle for freedom.
They said that renewed Indian brutalities in Kashmir have led to the deaths of thousands of Kashmiris fighting for their rights which clearly reflect the extent of human rights violation by the Indian security forces in Indian occupied Kashmir. However, despite the hardships faced, the Kashmiris have vowed to continue to wage their struggle until their rights are restored.