Kashmir Black Day, the annual commemoration of the landing of Indian security forces in Srinagar on Oct. 27, 1947, is being observed to highlight the plight of Kashmiris caused by India’s deployment of 700,000 troops in the valley. Thousands of its inhabitants had been martyred. The Jammu and Kashmir dispute is one of the oldest unresolved issues of the world and one that has always remained a top priority for the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM).
ABIM reaffirms full solidarity and support with the Kashmiri people in their legitimate struggle for self-determination through peaceful means and in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions. We appreciate the commitment made for an early, peaceful and negotiated settlement of this dispute by Pakistan and hope that India demonstrates the same determination in order to give the peace process a significant push.
India’s illegal occupation of Kashmir is a dark chapter in the history of human rights. A continued denial of the right to self-determination to the Kashmiri people is morally unacceptable, economically unsustainable and politically inadmissible with regard to any scheme aimed at ensuring global and regional peace, stability and security. Kashmir can never be resolved without the participation and consensus of the people of Kashmir. Contrary to prevailing mythology, Kashmir is not merely a border quarrel between India and Pakistan. Its central concern is the self-determination and human rights of the Kashmiri people that have been scorned, mocked, and trampled on for more than 60 years.
The chilling suffering and misery of the Kashmiri people continues every day a peaceful resolution is deferred. We believe that the way to a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue lies in tripartite negotiations between India, Pakistan and the accredited leadership of the people of Jammu & Kashmir from both sides of the Cease-fire Line.
ABIM, together with Global Peace Malaysia, friends and sympathizers of the Kashmir cause in Malaysia and the region will be organizing a “Kashmir Black Day” in solidarity with the oppressed of Jammu & Kashmir people. Their sufferings over the past six decades will be highlighted during mini exhibitions and speeches planned to mark the day. Come and join us along with your family and friends to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir on Saturday 25th October 2008, 3pm at the Cititel Express Hotel, 449, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 50100 Kuala Lumpur. For more information, please contact: GPM at Tel: 03-6188 8409; Fax: 03-6188 8470; Shakir: 013-3877722 E-mail: gpmhq@yahoo. com
Azril Mohd Amin
Vice President (International)
Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia
