Open letter to Umar Farooq

Dear Brother in Islam, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq,

Assalamu Alikum,

Let me start by narrating an incident from the archives of Islamic History. The incident was the occurrence of Jung-e-Jamal (War of the Camel).

On one side was Assadullah Hazrate Ali bin Abdul Muttalib (Cousin and Son-in-Law of Muhammad (SAW) and on the other side was Ummul Momineen Hazrate Ayesha Saddiqah (RA). These were two people dearest to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and hence they are dearest to us as well because they both belonged to Family of Muhammad (SAW). The Battle of Camel happened due to a myriad of reasons and nobody can claim that he can judge the cause and the conclusion. Despite being on opposed sides, despite raising weapons against each other- these two still are the only few lucky ones who got the news of being Jannati while alive. This was an honor reserved for the very few of Prophet’s companions. The reason to bring up this incident is that Islam has seen turbulent times in the past, is seeing harsh times and only Allah (JS) knows when the seas will be calm for Muslims. But despite that the one thing that has always allowed Islam to flourish and prosper is that nowhere did Muslims give up the concept of Ikhwatul Islam, fair Justice and truth.

We are writing to you in a hope that at this critical juncture when we are facing enemies on all sides, you will be the guiding light for us. We are writing to you in a hope that you will take our hand and lead us to victory. We are writing with the tears, hopes and prayers of innocents butchered in the valley of Kashmir for you and me. We are writing to you in a hope that eventually all of us need to take a step backward to realize that we all stand for the freedom of Kashmir. We are writing to you in a hope that you being a direct victim of Indian atrocity know how it feels like to be an orphan and an oppressed.

Justice is being denied to us, jails are being filled with us, and even the water that we drink is soaked in the blood of our beloved Martyrs. The consistent and persistent conspiracy hatched by Indian agencies to dilute the demography of Kashmir Valley is not only alarming but it is a real threat to our survival. The Christian missionaries are luring our innocent children to abandon their faith for mere pennies and the foreign laborers are being settled in Kashmir without any hesitation. In this critical phase of our journey towards freedom, do we want to be remembered as “Once upon a time there were some Muslims living in Kashmir” or do we want to face the challenge head on. We don’t have the luxury of being complacent or lazy. We don’t have the time to go back in time and wish things were different. We don’t have the energy to start a new revolution. The last 20 years of Kashmir have been bloody, brutal and unforgiving, but we can’t get bogged down with fatigue and say we are tired. Surrendering or abandoning the struggle of freedom movement is not an option simply because our existence is attached to it.

Dear Brother, We come to the not so pleasant part of our letter to you. These questions might be uncomfortable and you are absolutely not obliged to respond. But it will go a long way in clarifying the doubts, the reservations and the misunderstandings. We also understand that we have a right to ask these questions because you are the face of the revolution and the face of our freedom struggle. Hence we need to know if we are following the right person or if it is just an illusion. There is no room for diplomacy or ‘back channel dialogue’ because all we need is for you to state your position on where you stand. The below questions are just the ones that need immediate attention and by no means is it a complete list of queries that we have.

1. By virtue of being Mirwaiz of Kashmir, how is it possible that you do not wish for an Islamic state in Kashmir. Being a well read person and an intellectual, you must know that secularism, and communism, capitalism, socialism, liberalism, fundamentalism and all other ‘isms’ are incompatible with Islam. Having said that minorities in Islam are treated with highest respect, honor and justice as can be seen from the pages of Islamic History. Prophet Muhammad (SAW)’ time, When Muslims ruled in Europe and when Muslims ruled in India – there was absolutely not a single incident of any genocide of minorities.
2. The leadership issue of Kashmir freedom struggle needs nobody to explain how messed up it is, to clean up this mess what Is stopping you from joining hands with Syed Ali Shah Geelani. All Syed Ali Shah Geelani is asking you that the alliance of pro-freedom parties can exist when all demand an Islamic state. Being an Islamic cleric, I don’t think you should have any hesitation of doing so.
3. You silence on the conversion issue in Kashmir is being seen as a tacit understanding and acceptance on your part. We want to know why you did not condemn or raise your voice against this menace.
4. You silence on Indian agencies conspiracy of settling down the foreigners from India in Kashmir also does not go very well. We want to know why you maintained silence on this sensitive issue.
5. You have had several dialogues with Indian government over several years. Are you ready to make the details of those meetings public? This is essential because you represent the sisters who were raped, the brothers who were killed and the mothers who are worn out trying to locate their sons. You are representing the pious blood of our martyrs and we need to know If that is no being sold in Khan Market, Delhi.
6. You know the condition of orphans in Kashmir. The heartbreaking condition of widows of the martyrs. The misery of those who are indefinitely suffering in Indian jails is also not hidden from any one. What are the steps taken by you as leader to ease their condition?
7. Recently you had lunch with one of the interlocutors from India “Radha Kumar”, also present was one of the most well known criminal and some PDP agents. Radha Kumar and her ilk are nothing but a diversion. They are back stabbers who enjoy tormenting the Kashmiri Muslims. There was a renegade gunman in that lunch, these are the same people who participate in the mass rapes of Kashmiri women, who enjoy spilling the blood of our brothers and who play with our honor. How can you justify sitting on the same table with them.
8. Please tell the oppressed people of Kashmir that they are in good hands, that we are not being led astray and that we are following Sirat-ul-Mustaqeem.

Instead of being five fingers of a hand, let us make it a fist. Instead of being vulnerable let us turn our vulnerability into our greatest strengths. Your answers to the above queries will undoubtedly go a long way in pacifying the people of Kashmir whom you claim to represent. On your shoulders is the biggest responsibility which comes once in a lifetime, are you strong enough to carry it.

Yours Sincerely,

Team Aalaw and Frontline | Kashmir

"BECOMING A STONE-PELTER"

"I am from downtown Srinagar born in 1991. I was admitted to one of the best school of valley. As a child I had dream to become engineer. Whenever somebody used to ask me about my aim I would proudly say engineer. As I started to grow up I started to become familiar with many words which everyone used to talk about that among them few were "Azadi" (freedom), "hartal" (shutdown) but I was unable to understand the meaning of these words. I loved the word hartal as it was holiday, so I always wished for hartal. As I grew up I came to know about mujahids. I used to listen to the stories of mujahids. I would often ask my elders to tell me about mujahids. They told me stories of many mujahids like Isaaq, Ishfaq, and Jan Malik which I liked to share with my friends. 

Even I was named after a Shaheed Mujahid (martyr fighter) who was killed before few weeks I was born. Then Came the summer of 2007, I was passing by Nowhatta, It was month of Muharram. There was heavy stone pelting going on. I found it very interesting. I saw youth pelting stones and shouting freedom slogans. Initially I was afraid to go in front and pelt stones on Police and CRPF.

I used to think they are some angels fighting on the front. Days passed. Now I too had gathered guts to pelt stones on the front line. It was now 2008. I was busy with my exams. I heard about Amarnath Land Row. Things started changing very fast I had never seen kind of hartals (shutdowns) before. I had never seen kind of stone pelting before. It was totally new experience to me.

Now tear gas shell wasn't shot anymore, now bullets were fired directly. I saw many boys hit by a bullet and dying on spot. I was disturbed by this. I asked my grandfather once why they directly shoot on us. His answer was "Tse chuk mangaan azadi" (You are asking for freedom). This answer changed my mind. I started realizing neither we are part of India nor India considers us their part
.
Now I started reading history about our freedom struggle. I came to know about many things about the Kashmir struggle. Now I started reading newspaper, magazines very keenly. I started observing everything about the political system. I wept when I read about Gawkadal, Zukura, Hawal, Bijbihara, Sopore, Kupwara massacres. I too wanted to become Mujahid.I once joked with my mother that I will become Mujahid, her answer was pain full, first give me poison then you will become Mujahid.

Came 2009 I again started to remain busy with my studies but whenever there was stone pelting in Nowahatta I used go there and pelt stones. Stone pelting for me now, has become a reaction to the atrocities and d illegal occupation of India. I do it for a cause.I was once caught by police and was put in custody. I was also beaten but that also couldn't break me. When I was released I again started pelting stones. A policemen in custody told me why you pelt stones, do you think you will get freedom by pelting stones. If it is the case I am also ready to pelt stones, he said.

But still it is the only thing which makes me feel that gun or bullet cannot suppress my thoughts my sentiments to live free and to get rid of this occupation.I am happy when I pelt stones because I want to take revenge for every innocent killing. I know my stone won't harm them but remember it is not stone it is my feelings. I pelt stones because we are oppressed.

It was June 2009 Shopian rape had occurred. It was unbearable to hear rape and murder case of a girl and her sister in law. Tears rolled from my eyes when I read story of Asiya in newspaper. Once again hartals, stone pelting emerged with more boys felling to bullets to a response for protesting for justice from brutal Indian military.I watched a press conference of Omar Abdullah on news channel promising to bring culprits in front of people and punish them in 24 hors. Honestly I was happy with his promise I saw a hope in him in bringing justice to the duo.

But nothing happened instead of justice their relatives were beaten. This made me more aggressive I wanted to take revenge, I wanted to punish murderers. More ever I considered cm for all this because his behaviour made me much aggressive much angry against India and their brutality here.After one month of continuous strikes life was back on track. Again we started to remain busy with our studies.

But I always used to think why didn’t the duo got justice I once had seen news of a 14 year old girl from Delhi who was killed by unknown person in her bedroom. But Police wasn’t able to solve the case. It was then handed over to CBI who arrested the culprits in few weeks.But in case of Kashmir CBI solved the case differently they didn’t arrested the culprits but made a funny story of the victims that they died due to drowning in stream whose depth was hardly unto knees. This clearly showed policy of India in Kashmir.

But whom could I ask these questions why didn’t they get justice? Why they shoot us if we protest for seeking justice? These questions always were in my mind. By pelting stones I dint got answer but I was happy I felt I am taking revenge by pelting stones but what else I could do who was their to listen me. I felt satisfaction by pelting stones by pelting stones I wanted to say them give us justice leave our Kashmir let us leave in peace let us live in place where no mother has fear that her son may return dead. These are not stones these are my feelings.

Came 2010 it was January once I saw Wamiq Farooq, He was a neighbour of one of my relatives residing at Rainawari area of Srinagar. Wamiq was very good boy he used to offer my times prayers. He used to call me bhai (brother).After few weeks on one Friday evening I heard that a boy has been martyred after hitting by tear gas shell but I didn’t know unfortunately it was Wamiq the same guy whom I had seen before a day. When I woke up next morning I saw a picture of boy whose identity was yet to be revealed in newspaper. After few minutes I got call from my cousin that Wamiq has been martyred. For few minutes I totally froze I wasn’t able to speak. A boy hardly 13 was no more. You can understand how it feels when you hear death of person whom you know.

Wamiq was like my little brother I had never thought an innocent young boy will fall prey to their brutality. Once again hartals (strikes) and stone pelting emerged with more boys getting injured and martyred. Indian occupational forces were responding with more brutality, they are occupational forces their cruelty and brutality is not a surprise to us but I was surprised by the role of Jammu and Kashmir police our local police they are playing absurd role. One fails to understand the cause of their cruelty and brutality, Is it they want to show more loyalty to India or they are killing their brothers for money. What ever the reason is but the way they behave with their own countrymen is painful. Maybe they have became blind because of power government has given to them.

Wamiq's death gave birth to a powerful revolution. The revolution shook the existence of Indian rule in Kashmir. Now India started to show their military power to unarmed civilians. The way they deal with protests is answer to those people who call India integral part of Kashmir.India has started to engage its every front to curb this revolution from politically to technically even media is being used to curb this revolution.
Streets of Kashmir have become red with the blood of innocent people. Jhelum has become red with blood of innocent people.

I know one day may be I will also fall to their bullets even I am mentally prepared for that because I have attained extreme limit of stone pelting. But remember my death will give birth to hundreds of kale kharab (hotheads). As I became kale kharab (hothead) after death of innocent boys from last three years. 65 deaths have already given birth to hundreds of kale kharab (hot head) who are ready to fight till their last breath. These kale kharab (hothead) are present at every corner of Kashmir. What ever will the future of present intifada but the struggle to free Kashmir will continue even if takes 100 more years. Next generation will produce more dangerous kale kharabs (hot heads) to free Kashmir."


Source : Knowing Kashmir

5th Global Discourse on Kashmir begins in European Parliament

Brussels, May 04 : The 5th Global Discourse on Kashmir (GDK 2011) started in European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday with the welcome address of James Elles, Chairman, All Party Group for Kashmir in the European Parliament.

The fifth Global Discourse Conference was jointly organised by All Party Kashmir Groups and Kashmir Centre Brussels at the European Parliament.

Politicians, parliamentarians, journalists, civil society members, diplomats and experts from across the globe including members of the European Parliament, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and South Asian delegations are participating in the two-day discourse.

James Elles, OIC’s special representative on Kashmir, Ambassador Abdullah Alim, Tijis Berman, APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Sherry Rehman, member of the parliamentary committee, participated in the inaugural session titled “Situation in Kashmir – International Appreciation.”

Jaen Lambert, Chairman, South Asian delegation, Josef Janning, Director of Studies, European Policy Center, Dr Dennis MacShane MP (UK) and Executive Director of Kashmir Centre London, Professor Nazir Ahmad Shawl will discuss during a session “Situation in Kashmir – European Appreciation” later in the day.

Ivo Vagjl, MEP Committee on Foreign Affairs, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Chairman, Parliamentary Kashmir Committee, Dr Udit Raj, Indian Justice Party and Nasim Zehra, Director Current Affairs Duniya TV, will participate in a session “Situation in Kashmir- Regional Appreciation.”

The main purpose of the Global Discourse on Kashmir, since its first meeting in 2004, according to APGK Chairman, James Elles, has been to encourage the informal dialogue process between the governments of India, Pakistan and representatives of the people of Kashmir.

The struggle of Kashmiri people is legitimate and based on principles of democratic right of the people to decide their political future, said a participant, adding that the durable peace and stability in South Asia is linked to the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute

"To My Kashmir, Straight from the Heart"

Today I decided to speak to almost all peace loving Kashmiris through the platform of Frontline Kashmir . I am glad to be one of the soldier and activist of the Freedom movement of Kashmir just as you are. We are the pioneers of revolutions that sprouted across middle-east and tyrant regimes crumbled like the pack of cards. The regimes that had chained Arabs for decades are gone with the wind. However, the decibels of our Kashmiri voice are too low to get credit for anything. Our Kashmir is one of the under-reported conflicts in the world. Ever thought why? Why do people in the west know about Palestine but they think we are talking about a sweater or some kind of wool when we talk about Kashmir? Ask yourself why? Our brethren living in western world and Muslim world have completely failed to highlight the sincere cause of Kashmir and their stance to do so is only human(Except few). The problem is not with outsiders but the problem is with us. We have a educated lot living in or outside Kashmir who have decided to distance themselves from the cause which has become a catalyst for the oppression of people in Jammu and Kashmir. Had we been able to make our voices louder, our minors wouldn't be languishing in jails and the rest of the world wouldn't be calling India as a "biggest democracy". The blame is on us, brothers and sisters. To some extent, we are victims of our own negligence.

I can continue for hours but I want to end my rant here and fervently appeal to my brethren to lend us support for our projects to highlight the cause of Kashmir. We are not asking you to do anything illegal. Your identity will be protected as we have always done in the past. We need people with writing skills who can narrate our tales with their mighty pen. We need people who can make videos that highlight the miseries of our people. We want to communicate with outside world.Let us know if you can be of any help to people of Kashmir.We are usually very responsive to any questions and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask our team and we will get back to you.

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