At 16, Geelani and Lone sahib supported and encouraged me: Mirwaiz

Srinagar/May,20: Expressing gratitude to people and Hurriyat leadership particularly Syed Ali Geelani and late Abdul Gani Lone for supporting and encouraging him, Mirwaiz Dr Molvi Muhammad Umar Farooq while reviving the memories of the past said he was just 16 when old Srinagar city roads were painted red on May 21, 1990 after the assassination of his father.
“I was just 16 and had passed my Class 10th examination when on that fateful day, I not only lost my father but also innocent people were butchered by government forces. I had in fact obtained an Engineering form and was keen to become an Engineer. Everything changed after that fateful day, but still I thank people and the pro-freedom leadership particularly Geelani and Lone sahib for encouraging and reposing trust in me,” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said adding that May 21 in Kashmir history though brings grim pictures of past yet it strengthens our resolve to stand firm for Kashmir Cause.
“With the active and sincere support from people and leadership, I was able to complete my education and perform religious duties as Mirwaiz. The foundation of Hurriyat Conference in 1993 was the biggest moment for me. All the pro-freedom leaders including Geelani and Lone Sahab and others converged at the same platform. The way they treated and supported me, boosted my morale,” he said.
Mirwaiz Dr Molvi Muhammad Umar Farooq said that during his visits to different destinations of the globe including United States, Geneva, NAM, United Nations, OIC, Kashmir issue reverberated and for the first time, people listened to the version of people from Kashmir. Earlier, it was only India and Pakistan that used to keep their versions at international forums,” he said.
Besides people, Mirwaiz hailed the role of pro-freedom leadership saying they also made great sacrifices for Kashmir Cause. “Pro-freedom leadership didn’t migrate from Kashmir. They faced all hardships and carry forwarded this movement shoulder to shoulder with people,” he said.
While paying rich tributes to Shaheed-e-Milat Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Shaheed-e-Hurriyat Abdul Gani Lone, Mirwiaz said that Lone Sahab was a towering personality who renounced Indian politics and vehemently supported freedom struggle. “Abdul Gani Lone laid his life for this sacred cause,” he said and added that May 21 is a reminder to people of Kashmir that leadership has also made great sacrifices for this oppressed nation.
Mirwaiz as quoted by local news gathering agency CNS said that India is hell-bent to malign the image of Hurriyat leadership and for this purpose the services of print and electronic media and other organizations are being availed. “India is chalking out a plan to ban Hurriyat and that is why Indian media is spewing venom against pro-freedom leadership,” he said and lauded the role of student community and common masses for being firm and resilient against Indian brutalities.
Mirwaiz said that ongoing freedom struggle in Kashmir is peoples movement and Hurriyat represents their aspirations and sentiments.