11th August Foundation

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Sacrifice makes one supreme.” Sheikh Aziz

Sheikh AZIZ
By S. Ashraf
“Sincerely supreme sacrifice makes one supreme.”  Sheikh Aziz (Father of Jehad-e-Kashmir)  was a supreme. His sacrifice led to a mass uprising which attracted global attention.

In a A symbolic march by Kashmirs to march towards north (Muzaffarabad) when they are harmed in the south (Hindu Jammu) has caused more lives for Kashmiris. It is indeed a shame for human civilization that India continues to be engaged in genocide of Kashmiris. As part of Indian strategy to kill Kashmiris in a sustained manner under different guises, some more Kashmiri Muslims were murdered by India in the background of the Hindus fascist fight for Sri Amarnath illegal land deal. After direct fire on Muzaffarabad marchers, at least eight persons, including a most senior Hurriyat freedom fighting leader of Jammu and Kashmir, Shaikh Abdul Aziz ( Father of Jehad-e-Kashmir ), were killed as they were marching towards the Line of Control in Baramulla district leader and a boy were killed by Indian security forces in Srinagar district on August 15 a couple of days ahead of Indian independence day.

Following the killing of six protestors including most senior Sheikh Abdul Aziz, the authorities imposed curfew in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir. However, the freedom fighters have reiterated their resolve to continue their mach, come what may. Economic terrorism unleashed by Hindus in Jammu region by blocking the movement of goods between Jammu and Kashmir have caused serious economic problems and this economic terrorism is resented by Kashmirs who have suffered badly and decided to mach to Muzaffarabad to show their anger. Economic terrorism is been used by USA and the Western powers against third world nations, now especially Iran, to cripple their economies. India has thought out similar strategy to make Kashmiris to bend completely and bow down to Indian military dictates. Economic blockade is a crude manifestation of the decades_ old policy of making Kashmir economy fatally dependent on others. Notwithstanding arrests by police in different parts of Kashmir,

Kashmiris in thirty hundred thousands marched towards North Kashmir to participate in the Muzaffarabad March to protest against the economic blockade of the Valley. In North Kashmir, the march to Muzaffarabad commenced from Sopore Fruit Mandi after people defied restrictions. Sopore Fruit Mandi was besieged early morning by police and CRPF men and five trade union leaders were detained and tyres of decorated fruit laden trucks were deflated by the troopers. After arrest of leaders, announcements were made through Public Address System (PAS) asking people to join the Muzaffarabad March_. Thousands of people again joined march with women lined up on roadside yelling pro freedom and pro_Pakistan slogans. They were seen serving water and food packets to the protestors and praying for their safety. After the protestors reached Baramulla, the processionists boarded buses, trucks, scooters to move towards Muzaffarabad. Amidst pro−freedom, pro−Pakistan and anti−India slogans, the protestors, who were led by Huriyat leaders, Sheikh Abdul Aziz and Shabir Ahmad Shah reached chahal, Uri, some 20 kms from Uri. They could not move ahead as the army had dug up trenches to prevent people and vehicles from moving ahead. When the protestors tried to march ahead, they were fired on by the troopers, causing injuring to at least 20 persons including Sheikh Abdul Aziz. Aziz received bullet injury in his abdomen and was rushed to nearby hospital, where from he was referred to SMHS hospital, where he succumbed. Meanwhile, thousands of people were on streets till late night at Sangrama, Delina, Sheeri, Hyderbugh, Zumgum, and Pattan. They were waiting for the sunrise to recommence their _Muzaffarabad March_. There have been thousands of known and unknown Kashmiri martyrs who have laid down their sacred lives in their freedom struggle, much more than what the India had lost dung their independence fight under British rule. Sheikh Abdul Aziz was a pro−Pakistan Kashmiri leaders fighting for the cause of gaining sovereignty back from occupying India. Muzaffarabad is legally a part of Kashmir, now the capital of Azad Kashmir with an independent premier administrated by Pakistan and which would be a part of new Kashmir when it becomes free from Indian military occupation.

Kashmiris have been at the receiving end since their nation was annexed by it neighbor India and hardships are nothing new to them either. Also, now this is not something new to the now fragile economy of Kashmir that it has been subjected to, over the last six decades. The backdrop in which the economy of Kashmir traveled along the time path included a focus on making Kashmir prone to dependency cult, intentionally pursued by New Delhi; priority setting as per the whims of policy planners at New Delhi. The horticulture, floriculture and other commodity sectors have suffered losses that have varied ramifications and most of the growers cannot possibly sustain these losses. These commodities are flooding the already saturated and impoverished local market of Kashmir. The acute hardships faced by people in valley by scarcity of essential commodities, life saving drugs and medicine, even kids_ items, by the economic blockade does call for a new thinking based on self reliance. Of course, now it looks the popular uprising is not going to end until the Kashmirs obtain freedom and independence from India. First of economic terrorism must end followed by state military terrorism. It is noteworthy that in this regard JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yaseen Malik went on a hunger strike unto death but fortunately freedom fighting leaders like Geelani persuaded him to end his long hunger strike. Geelani also reminded him saying, _We differ with the idea of fast unto death as it is not an Islamic way and that we must pray to the almighty for the continuity and eternity of the unity we have showed this time_. Besides, no one will care in India even if entire Muslim community in Kashmir goes on hunger strike until death. India promotes genocide in Kashmir, after all and death of Kashmiris and other Muslims in any manner is welcome to New Delhi. But it is time the Governor of Jammu Kashmir NN Vohra considers recommending to New Delhi to grant independence to Kashmir so that the Kashmiris do not have to stave and die like this and let them live with honor and resources. Any further day in decision−making in favor of Kashmiris could be disastrous for both Kashmiris and India. The Kashmirs do have the efficient leadership, resources and the capacity to govern their own nation in a peaceful manner. About the author: S.ASHRAF can be reached at: s.ashraf@gmail.com

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Sheikh Aziz was martyred on Monday- Aug. 11, 2009 (Shai’ ban 9, 1429 A.H-the day when prophet Muhammad (PBHU) prioritized eternal rest.)

On Aug. 11, 2008 Kashmir Witnessed a historical and momentous spectacle of unity of resistance forces when, by way of abreaction and catharsis, freedom sentiments got exuded and elicited in the form of highly emotionalized and resolute procession of revolutionaries of Sopore spearheaded by the stalwarts like Sheikh Ab. Aziz, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Saif-ullah etc. The valiant and chivalrous processionists while facing and overcoming the obstacles created by the Indian authorities, succeeded in reaching chahla Uri (the Kashmir Karbala as I call it). Where they displayed their freedom sentiments in a peaceful democratic style. Indian forces including the notorious Kashmir SOG, in a fit of arrogance and intoxication opened fire killing a dozen freedom zealots and injuring about hundred of them. Sheikh Aziz Saheb, who was on the forefront like his colleagues Shabbir Shah and Saif-ullah and others, got injured seriously. Wounded leader was immediately removed to Srinagar hospital where he breathed his last and became a martyr.

On Aug. 12, 2008 over 8 lakh people assembled at Eidgah Srinagar for Nimaz-e-jinaza. About 7 lakh people joined the march to Pampore to the home town of Sheikh Abdul Aziz who was shot dead by Indian forces near Uri.All the resistance leaders, barring ailing humble self, including senior leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Moulvi Abbas Ansari, Fazal Haq Qureshi were present and paid tribute to the slain leader. Sheikh Aziz was martyred on Monday- Aug. 11, 2009 (Shai’ ban 9, 1429 A.H-the day when prophet Muhammad (PBHU) prioritized eternal rest.) The exasperated emotional youth, while the obsequies were being completed, roused patriotic feelings and emotions of the mourning multitude through pathetic epicedium. On Aug. 12, 2008 the agitating youth restored to violent paroxysmal activities and in the melee 22 freedom zealots got martyred and hundreds of them were wounded in the valley. Thousands of furiously agitated youth called at the residence of Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The two leaders felt emboldened and therefore mustered up courage to accompany the exacerbated and anguished youth in their march towards Eidgah to defy the curfew and literally demolish and obliterate the bunkers of Indian forces. Nayeem Ahmad Khan and Shabbir Ahmad Shah were released from captivity a day after. The co-ordination committee representing S.A Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq suggested using of one flag only with the emblem Allah-o-Akbar. On Aug. 16, 2008 about 7 lakh people marched to Pampore to express solidarity with the bereaved family of sheikh Aziz. In the morning of Aug. 16, 2008 I, along with my Mahaz activists including Meer Iqbal, boarded a vehicle on the top of which the green flag with the monogram Allah-o-Akbar. remained fluttering; we condoled with the family members of martyr Sheikh Aziz at their residence. Then after we attended the condolence congregation of mourning people at Eidgah Pampore. On the platform I sat beside Fazal-ul-Haq Qureshi, Mohd. Hassan (Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami), Moulvi Abbas Ansari, Late Prof. Sheikh Gh. Muhammad. Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Shabbir Ahmad Shah and others addressed the grand audience. In the stampede the improvised platform collapsed; elderly leaders felt strangled and suffocated. Meer Rasheed, a robust student of mine, retrieved me from the situation.