Washington, D.C: Fahim Kayani, President, Tehreeke Kashmir, United Kingdom received a warm welcome from Kashmiri American community of Washington metropolitan area in recognition of his outstanding service for the Kashmir cause.  

Fahim Kayani in his address highlighted the struggle of the people of Jammu & Kashmir against alien occupation, religious persecution and human rights atrocities. He added that Kashmir is not an integral part of India nor a territorial dispute. It is an international issue made by the United Nations by adopting multiple resolution at the Security Council which guarantee the right of self-determination of its people. 

Fahim Kayani stressed that Kashmir issue demands international attention. Therefore, global Kashmiri diaspora should initiate diplomatic campaign at the corridors of power, be it United States, European Union, Asian and African parliaments. It is our responsibility to leverage with various think-tanks, international NGO’s and different international forums. This all requires, Fahim Kayani emphasized the unity of thought and action among diaspora community. 

Fahim Kayani pointed out that we need to mobilize global public opinion to rebuttal Indian false narrative that the normalcy has returned to Kashmir. If that was the case then why Indian government has not withdrawn its 900,000 soldiers from the Valley of Kashmir which is the most militarized zone in the world. 

Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, World Forum for Peace & Justice said that it is quite conspicuous that the world powers feel awkward and unequipped to intervene in any international conflict, like Kashmir because the country, like India is too powerful and does not listen to morals and ethics when everyone has his wallet on the table. In addition, Dr. Fai added that India’s refusal to accept international mediation seems to shut the door on any kind of international dialogue regarding Kashmir. The Kashmiris are shut in, and the outside world out. 

Dr. Fai underlined that it was the genius of President Trump who understood that the tension between India and Pakistan can only be removed by resolving the Kashmir dispute. The erroneous and misguided stand has led Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India to conceal the truth that President Trump intervened and brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. It is time that Modi extricates himself from baseless and false claim that Pakistani DGMO suggested the ceasefire. 

Justice Shaukat Ali Rakhshani of Quetta, Baluchistan who is on his private visit to the United States said that every Pakistani feels the pain and suffering of the people of occupied Kashmir. We are always there to provide them the diplomatic and political support in order to achieve their right to self-determination. 

Sardar Zubair Khan, Director, Voices of Justice in Kashmir thanked the audience for their participation in this event. He emphasized that the time has come that the global Kashmiri diaspora needs to have one narrative. That can only happen when we are united at one platform. 

Sardar Zarif Khan, Advisor to the President of Azad Kashmir and the main organizer of the event quoted Sardar Masood Khan Sahib, former President of Azad Kashmir who gave Presidential award and certificate to Fahim Kayani Bhai, President of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK at award distribution ceremony held in the President House, Muzaffarabad. Sardar Masood Khan said that the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir honours Raja Fahim Kayani, President Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK by giving the title of Pioneer of Kashmir Virtual Diplomacy for laying the foundation for Virtual Diplomacy to highlight the Kashmir cause globally during the pandemic in 2020. Fahim Kayani successfully pioneered virtual diplomacy on Kashmir and held a series of webinars that pointed to the deepening plight of the Kashmiris under siege and a communication lockdown since 2019. 

Sardar Shoaib Irshad, General Secretary, Kashmir American Welfare Association (KAWA) said that Fahim Kayani has worked tirelessly with compassion and passion to promote the Kashmir cause. He has organized dozens of Kashmiri conferences not only at the British parliament but also in major cities of the United Kingdom. 

Raja Liaqat Kiyani, President, Kashmir House Washington said that Fahim Kayani has galvanized the grassroots communities in Britian. He has also organized rallies which were attended at times by tens of thousands of people. Raja Liaqat Kiyani also briefed the audience about the social programs he has imitated in his area in Azad Kashmir by investing crores of Pakistani rupees. 

Senator (Dr.) Akbar Khawaja, a well-known community leader said that reasons for the conflict over Kashmir are argued among contenders on several points, more often than not to serve globalist interests rather than the fundamental needs or desires of the Kashmiris themselves. Why, after 78 years, the problem continues to fester is the challenge for those who talk of peace, stability, and democratic rights in the region of South Asia. 

The participants offered a special Du’a’ for more than 100,000 martyrs of Kashmir. 

The event concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony in celebration of America's Independence Day – 4th of July. 

Others who spoke included: Moazzam Aftab; Sardar Zeeshan khan; Sardar Haider Irshad; Khalid Faheem; Abid Khan; Main Waseem; Akram butt; Imran khan; Raja Saqib; Atique Sudozai; Naveed; Shakil Anjam; Tahseen. 

(Dr. Fai is the Secretary General, Washington-based World Kashmir Awareness Forum. He can be reached at: 1-202-607-6435 gnfai2003@yahoo.com)