SRINAGAR: Thousands of people including women took to streets for a protest rally on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramzan, known as the day of Quds (Arabic word for Al-Aqsa) in different parts of Kashmir valley and Poonch in Jammu region. Protesters marched through the main streets of central part of Srinagar city and called for liberation of Al-Aqsa, first Qibla of Muslims and third holiest place in Islam.
Similar protests were also taken out in Kargil and Sanku towns of Ladakh region, which was carved out as a separate Union Territory when Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories after abrogation of Article 370 of Indian Constitution in August 2019. Muslims in Kargil town and its surrounding areas observed Quds Day 2024 after the Friday prayers.
Sajjad Kargili, a prominent activist and member of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) posted videos of both the protest rallies of Sanku and Kargil on his social media handle ‘X’.
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Thousands holds #QudsRally in #Kargil Ladakh under the banner of @JUIAK_Ladakh.#FreePalesine #QudsDay2024 pic.twitter.com/O0uWVA39RA— Sajjad Kargili | سجاد کرگلی (@SajjadKargili_) April 5, 2024
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Today, on the last Friday of the holy month of #Ramadan, thousands participated in the #QudsDay rally in Sankoo, #Kargil, #Ladakh.#FreePalesine pic.twitter.com/11bjJogOJC
— Sajjad Kargili | سجاد کرگلی (@SajjadKargili_) April 5, 2024
An official statement of Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian, a body of Shia Muslims, issued in Srinagar claimed that thousands of people on Friday took to the streets in the parts of the Kashmir to voice their protest against Israel’s siege and relentless bombing on the Gaza Strip, demanding an end to the oppression of the innocent Palestinian people.
The statement claimed that The demonstrators raised Palestinian flags and held posters that said ‘From Land To The Sea, Palestine Will Be Free’ and ‘Stand in solidarity with Palestine’.
In central district of Budgam, a huge rallyhttps://kashmirobserver.net/2024/04/05/video-al-quds-day-observed-in-kashmir/ was held by the Jammu and Kashmir Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian, with scores of women and children in attendance. They called for complete stop to genocidal attacks on the people of Palestine and bombings in Gaza, where thousands of innocent people including women and children have been killed since October 7, 2023, the statement said.
Addressing the gathering, Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian President Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi criticised the world community for supporting Israel in its oppression of Palestinians. He demanded that Muslim countries should come together for the Palestinian cause.
“Raising our voices for Palestinians is the responsibility of Muslims and a part of their faith,” he added.
Separately, in Magam town of Budgam district, supporters took to the streets, demanding Muslim world leaders to “break the chains of silence”.
“While Addressing the solidarity March Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian leader Aga Syed Mujtaba Abbas said that this Quds Day comes during one of the darkest chapters in the history of the Palestinian people. He said “permanent humanitarian ceasefire is pre-requisite with unrestricted access for life saving aid, the release of all hostages, the protection of civilians and an end to violations of international humanitarian law.
A video of the protest rally in Srinagar was posted by ‘Kashmir Observer on its website.
Reports in local media of Kashmir said that different rallies and demonstrations were held at many places across Kashmir valley. People from the mostly Shia community participated in the rallies. The demonstrators raised pro-Palestine and anti-Israel slogans and called for an end to the Zionist occupation of the holy land.
The largest procession in Srinagar city was taken out from Gupkar shrine on Dal Lake Boulevard after the Friday prayers. Processions were also taken out in Hassanabad and Zadibal localities of the Shehr-e-Khaas in Srinagar. Similar protest rallies were taken out in Budgam town and many areas across Baramulla district.
Smaller processions were taken out from Bhagwanpora in Srinagar, Balhama, Khanda and scores of other places in Kashmir valley.
Addressing a gathering at Chattabal in Srinagar, Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari reiterated his support for the Palestinian cause and denounced the mute response of the International community to the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, a report of local news gathering agency said.
In central Kashmir’s Budgam district, a massive procession led by Anjuman-e-Sharie Shiayan Chief Agha Syed Hassan was carried out from Imambargah Budgam. Thousands of people participated in the procession.
Another video on Kashmir protests:
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/213527/VIDEO-People-in-Kashmir-mark-Intl-Quds-Day
Similar procession was led by Agha Syed Hadi al Musawi al Safavi from Bemina Imambargah. Agha Hadi also highlighted the plight of Palestinians and the need for liberation of the first Qibla from the Zionist clutches.
Reports of demonstrations were also received from different parts of north and south Kashmir including Pattan, Mirgund and Laweypora in North Kashmir and several areas of South Kashmir.
This year Quds rallies saw a remarkable surge in attendance compared to last year, coinciding with the Israeli war on Gaza. The event drew significant crowds indicating heightened public concern and solidarity with the Palestinians.
Another short video of protest rallies in Kashmir was posted on the website by Editorji.
Amidst the backdrop of escalating violence, where over 33,000 Palestinians, including thousands of women and children, have lost their lives so far, protestors say, the rallies carried out every year serve as an expression of support for the people of Palestine.
A demonstration was also organized in Poonch town of Jammu region to express solidarity with Palestinians. The rally participation witnessed sloganeering against Israel calling for an end to genocidal attacks in Gaza Strip.
It may be recalled that all pro-Palestine and anti-Israel protests were barred in India and unofficial campaign was launched in Kashmir to prevent people from holding such rallies. The Muslim priests in Kashmir were asked not to make any mention of the Gaza killings and Israeli attacks on Palestinian people.
Many activists and anti-Israeli protesters were either detained or prohibited from taking out processions in different part of India during the past six months. The BJP-government has taken a position contrary to previous stand of India, which advocated separate state for the Palestinians since 1930s and 1940s.
Courtesy: https://kashmirtimes.com