BIRMINGHAM: Life and legend of Shaheed Syed Ali Geelani was commemorated during a one-day conference in the United Kingdom to recall contributions of the veteran Kashmiri resistance leader.
Hosted by Tehreek-e-Kashmir (TeK) UK, the speakers during the conference paid tributes to Geelani, who attained martyrdom on Sept. 01, 2021 in Indian custody at his residence in Hyderpora where he was under illegal house arrest.
“Shaheed Geelani Sahab made it amply clear to the brave Kashmiri nation that India can never be our friend,” TeK President Fahim Kayani told the conference, which saw wide participation.
The life and legend of Shaheed Geelani, recalled Kayani, “is based on faith of Islam and resistance to illegal and ugly Indian occupation.”
“It is incumbent upon us, in Kashmir and outside, to follow his words, which he proved right with his own life that India is hell bent to erase Kashmiris from the Indian occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Kayani.
Asif Luqman Qazi, chief guest on the occasion recalled Shaheed Geelani’s love for the cause of Islam, freedom of Kashmir and Pakistan.
“The legend of Shaheed Geelani shows that with strong faith and commitment, any military might will bow down the will of people,” Qazi told the conference.
Expressing unflinching support to Kashmiris in their battle against India, Qazi said: “the resistance against India needs a strong character and that is what Shaheed Geelani Sahab showed.”
Muhammad Afsar Shahid , former minister of AJK said “No international law allows abduction of dead people. What occupying Indian forces with the body of Shaheed Geelani is shame and remorseful,”
Nazir Ahmed Qureshi, Muhammad Ghalib, Dr Riaz Ahmed and Dr Hamad Lodhi also spoke on the occasion demanded that body of Shaheed Geelani be returned to Kashmiri nation for respectful final rites.
“Only a coward nation like India can be fearful of dead people,” they said.
Reiterating their call for end to illegal Indian occupation of Kashmir by India, the speakers said: “the rank and file of Kashmiri resistance groupings must stand steadfast against the Hindutva idealogy.”
“Times change and time will change for better days for Kashmiris and we will see India vacating Kashmir soon,” they added.
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