The Kashmiri diaspora held a conference in the UK to recall and pay tributes to the resistance icon, Shaheed Syed Ali GIlani. The conference held a detailed discussion on the life and times of Gilani, who attained martyrdom on September 1, 2021, in custody at his Hyderpora residence. Holding special prayers for Gilani and Kashmiri martyrs, the participants paid glowing tributes to the resistance icon. "Shaheed Gilani Sahab immortalized the Kashmiri resistance against India," exclaimed Fahim Kayani, leader of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK. The sacrifices made by Gilani, Fahim stressed, "teach us that no one is above resistance movements, as the blood of martyrs for this beloved cause is more sacred than anything else." "Gilani Sahab's whole life is an example of commitment and dedication, but he did not budge to shed his blood for his people," Kayani recalled, urging steadfastness among Kashmiris.

Muhammad Ghalib, a senior Kashmiri diaspora leader, emphasized making Gilani Sahab's lifetime a "role model for our young generations." Calling on Kashmiri leadership to heed the "disturbing situation on the ground" in Kashmir, Ghalib said, "India has imposed graveyard silence in occupied Kashmir, which should give us ample time to strategize at international platforms." Backing Ghalib's suggestion, Afzal Butt, President of PFUJ, said lobbying and diplomatic efforts are important to keep Kashmir ringing in the ears of the international community. The role of Pakistan and the Kashmiri diaspora is "important to raise Kashmir every now and then," said Butt. Other participants, including Kashmiri poet Arif Khawaja, Qamar Abbas, Abid Khawaja, Mirza Nazir, Farooq Qadari, Dr. Khurram Bashir, Dr. Bashir Zahir, Ghazanfar Ali, Hafiz Muhammad Idrees, and Sarfraz Madani also paid tributes to Shaheed Gilani.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan