Our struggle is to
empower downtrodden people, and oppose extremism violence and intolerance. Dr Shabir
Choudhry.
Speech delivered on
first anniversary of Madam Naila Khaneen in London
Mr Chairman,
Thank you for providing this opportunity to express my
views.
In a male dominated society where some people think a role
of women is only to look after kitchen,
Madam Naila spoke for rights of not only women, but also spoke and led a
movement that advanced rights of all members of society irrespective of their
social, cultural and religious background.
She wanted to empower downtrodden people, and oppose those
who promote extremism, violence, hatred and religious intolerance. In that
sense, she not only spoke for rights of oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir,
but also spoke for rights of people of India and Pakistan.
She wanted people to be aware of their fundamental rights,
and encouraged them to say no, and express their sentiments against oppression,
exploitation and violence.
She is no more with us. May Almighty be kind to her.
However, her mission is not accomplished. It is not only her mission. It is our
mission too. It is a mission of all of you who have gathered here in this
weather in London.
I admire comments of my Pakistani brothers who have
supported our struggle and expressed their solidarity with us. We need support
of liberal and tolerant people of India and Pakistan who can understand our
struggle and suffering.
Please note, our struggle is not against any religion or a
country. We want to unite our divided country and empower people that they can
also live with dignity and honour.
There are extremists on both sides of the divide who like
to promote hatred, intolerance and violence. This policy suits their agenda
because a divided society empowers them to assert their will on society in name
of religion or some other cult.
It is sad to not that even highly educated and professional
people are fooled by these hate preachers, and they happily become foot
soldiers of these hate mongers who use religion to divide people and control
the society as it suits them.
We have to counter this trend, and educate people about
liberal, secular and democratic ideals. Our religion is not in danger from any quarter, however,
interests of these Mullahs with tunnel vision and burning desire to advance
their agenda of controlling the masses is in danger.
We have to weaken hold of the religious leaders and
liberate people from shackles of extremists. Our Holy Prophet said: Best of you
are those with good manners.
He did not say that these good manners should be exhibited
towards Muslims. We Muslims must display these good manners towards all human
beings, but Mullahs say we should not be kind or friendly with non-Muslims.
This is totally against teaching and practise of our Holy Prophet.
It must be pointed out that our struggle is not religious
in nature. Jammu and Kashmir is home of all citizens; and they should all be
entitled to practise their faith in accordance with beliefs.
Those who present the Jammu and Kashmir as a religious one,
they intentionally or unintentionally, want to divide our motherland on
religious lines, just like the British India was divided in 1947, which
resulted in death of more than half million people.
We must oppose this trend, as it will create more problems
in Jammu and Kashmir and in South Asia.
As members of the majority community we must assure the
minorities that in united and independent Jammu and Kashmir, there will be no
threat to their rights, religion and culture. There will be constitutional
guarantees in place to ensure that they are respected, and do not feel
threatened and intimidated.
Mr Chairman,
Being a progressive party, with a forward looking approach,
we have a duty to ensure that our members are friendly and tolerant to all
citizens; and oppose all those who promote extremism, terrorism, violence and
intolerance.
Some people of Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir say why
Muslims are blamed for terrorism, when there are other people who commit these
acts. In this regard, they give example of terrorism of Tamil Tigers.
The fact these people disregard is that Tamil Tigers never
committed any terrorism in France, America, Britain or any other major city of
North America and Europe.
On the other hand, it is sad to note that from America to
Europe, and other regions, nearly every major city has been hit by terrorists
in name of Islam. With that kind of track record, what do we expect from the
international community?
If Muslims commit acts of terrorism and kill innocent
people then, of course, the world community will blame Muslims and Islam. Some
will use foul language against Islam. We must not support or commit such acts
which give people an excuse to criticise our religion.
In my opinion, those people who commit terrorism, and
promote extremism and religious hatred in name of Islam should also be blamed
for Islamophobia and anti-Islam sentiments.
We know what Prime Minister has done, and how it has
enormously increased suffering of the people, especially in the Valley of
Kashmir. I want that suffering to end that people can live their normal lives.
However, I want to caution people that, people of so called
Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan may also face a new and harsh policies of
Pakistan, as they want to crush dissent in these two regions.
We need to ensure that our struggle remains peaceful, and we
must not give any excuse to the authorities to crush our peaceful struggle.
The members of United Kashmir Peoples National Party have
to be vigilant, and take a leading role to oppose forces of occupation, and those
who promote extremism, violence and religious hatred.
I hope all the stakeholders of Jammu and Kashmir dispute
will exercise restraint; and will start trilateral dialogue that peaceful and
amicable solution to this dispute could be found.
Mr Chairman, I thank you.
Writer is a renowned
writer and author of many books. He is also President Foreign Affairs Committee
of UKPNP; and Chairman South Asia Watch, London.
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