Following his release from house detention, chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Saturday, while chairing a meeting of Awami Action Committee (AAC) to finalise the program for the upcoming martyrs’ week (Hafta-e-Shahadat), asked New Delhi to “shun its military approach and accept the ground realities to resolve the Kashmir issue as per the wishes of people.”
Every year, martyrs’ week is observed by the Hurriyat (M) and AAC to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Farooq, Khawja Abdul Gani Lone and martyrs of Hawal massacre of May 21, 1990.
In a statement, AAC spokesman said that the activists and workers of AAC attended a meeting party headquarters Mirwaiz Manzil, Rajouri Kadal. “The meeting was presided over by AAC patron Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who was released from the house detention on Saturday morning. The meeting finalized the preparations for the 28th martyrdom anniversaries of founder of AAC and the beloved religious and political leader of people late Mirwaiz Moulana Muhammad Farooq(RA) and the martyrs of Hawal massacre of May 21, 1990,” the statement said.
On the occasion, rich tributes were paid to Shaheed-e-Milat Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq and Shaheed-e-Hurriyat Khawja Abdul Gani Lone, martyrs of Hawal massacre and all the martyrs of Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion, AAC patron and APHC chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, “While we are paying tributes to our great martyrs, the fact is that even today Kashmiris especially our youth continue to sacrifice their precious lives and these collective sacrifices made by people and leadership are our great asset which will be written in golden words in the history of our immense sacrifices.”
Mirwaiz said it’s the responsibility of the nation to protect and safeguard these sacrifices and to remain steadfast towards the final goal. He said Kashmir issue is basically a humanitarian and political issue and it can’t be resolved by using military power. Mirwaiz said that extreme repressive measures employed by New Delhi would not turn away people from demanding their fundamental right to decide their destiny. “New Delhi must acknowledge the aspirations of people and shun this approach against peace loving Kashmiris and start a meaningful process for the resolution of the dispute. The sooner it accepts the need for resolving Kashmir, the sooner peace would prevail in the sub-continent,” he said while urging party activists to follow the mission of the martyrs and make it a way of life.
Announcing the program for martyrs’ week, Mirwaiz said on May 16 (Wednesday), recitation of Quran and Qirat competition will be organized by Anjuman-Auqaf Jamia Masjid. “On May 17 (Thursday), a seminar to be held at APHC headquarters at Rajbagh, Srinagar. On May 18 (Friday) a free medical camp will be organised by AAC at Jamia Masjid at 10 am,” Mirwaiz announced. “On May 19 (Saturday), a seminar to be organised by Anjuman-e- Nusrat-ul-Islam at the Auditorium of Islamia Higher Secondary School Rajouri Kadal. On May 20 (Sunday), a rally to be taken out by the workers of AAC after Zuhr prayers from party headquarters.”
On May 21 (Monday), Mirwaiz said, on the call of Joint resistance leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasir Malik, a complete shutdown will be observed across Kashmir in memory of Shaheed-e-Milat , Shaheed-e- Hurriyat, Martyrs of Hawal massacre and all the martyrs of Kashmir. “A congregational gathering to pay tributes to martyrs will be held at martyrs’ graveyard Eidgah where JRL will address the people, offer special Fateh prayers and take a pledge to take the mission of martyrs towards its accomplishment,” he said.