Kashmir Solidarity Day Observed in Australia
(Exclusive Report to Sada-e-Watan Sydney)
Tranquillity and relaxed
environment of a lazy Sunday afternoon of 5 February 2006 was challenged in the
city centre of Australian capital city Canberra, the bush capital of Australia,
when the executive members and invited guests of Kashmir Solidarity Council of
Canberra addressed a peace rally organised to express solidarity with the
Kashmiris in their right of self determination. The speakers addressing the
rally attended predominantly by Pakistani community of Canberra, highlighted the
Kashmir issue against the backdrop of Kashmir's history and present precarious
post earthquake situation in the region. Addressing the rally, Mr Iqbal Khan,
Convenor, Kashmir Solidarity Council, and an Australian citizen of Kashmir
origin, reiterated the right of self determination of Kashmiris and demanded
implementation of the United Nations Resolution of 1948, which advocated
plebiscite as the only solution of the issue. Mr Iqbal Khan, who had only rece!
ntly returned from a visit of the earthquake devastated area informed the
audience of the post earthquake situation and requested all Australians to
continue their support to the victims.
Expressing his views on the occasion, Mr Mohammed Ali, Deputy Convenor of the
Council and master of the ceremony, presented a chronological picture of the
issue. He said that demilitarization of the area was of paramount importance in
solution of the problem. He lamented that Kashmir, which was once called as a
'paradise on earth' has been reduced to a 'hole in the ship of world peace'. He
reminded the audience that despite the violation of human rights in parts of
Kashmir it was important to see the recently emerging silver lining at the edges
of the dark clouds prevailing in the region for long time. He was pointing to
and was highly appreciative of the recent efforts of Pakistan and India in
initiating the peace talks and opening the road, rail and the cricketing ways.
Ms Diana Abdur Rehman, Vice President Canberra Islamic Centre and member, ethnic
committee of ACT State Government, urged the world powers to speed up their
efforts to help resolve the issue, which has plagued the lives of Kashmiris for
more than five decades. She praised the Kashmir Solidarity Council in its
continued efforts of increasing awareness of the issue in Australia for the last
five years and also praised the audience for their persistence and patience in
this matter. She said, 'It was only their continued support and determination
which could lead one day to the solution of the problem'.
Mr Paul Boohoe, executive member of the Socialist Alliance Canberra, demanded
that Kashmiris have same rights as East Timorese. He expressed full solidarity
with the Kashmir's cause and said that right of self determination was a birth
right and can not be denied.
In an interview following the rally, Mr Javed Butt, Executive member of the
council, praised the recent moves in the region in helping solve the problem,
particularly the recent statement by Pakistan's Prime Minister in which he
assured Pakistan's full support towards solution of the issue based on justice.
A resolution, presented to the audience by Mr Zakir Rehmani, was passed at the
end of the rally which centred around demilitarisation of Kashmir and solution
of the problem in light of the UN resolutions.
