Srinagar, May 21 (KNO): Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq paid glowing tributes to his late father and leader of the people, Shaheed-e-Millat Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Farooq (RA), on his 35th martyrdom anniversary.
In a heartfelt message posted on social media platform X, he also remembered Shaheed-e-Hurriyat Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone Sahib and the 70 innocent mourners martyred in the Hawal massacre on the same date.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Mirwaiz wrote that “21st May is upon us and painful memories are revived. Quaid-e-Kashmir for his people, Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Farooq was on this day taken away from them by gunmen, his distraught mourners sprayed with bullets leaving seventy dead. Even after 35 years, the vacuum his death created is present, more keenly felt with each passing year. His guidance is deeply missed.”
He said that the enduring legacy of selfless service to the people left by Shaheed-e-Millat continues to inspire and guide them in the face of adversity.
Mirwaiz expressed strong disappointment over being yet again barred by authorities from visiting the Martyrs’ Graveyard at Eidgah Srinagar to offer Fatiha and pay homage. “As expected, authorities again barred us from visiting Eidgah to offer Fatiha and pay homage to Shaheed-i-Millat and our beloved Shaheed-i-Hurriyat Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone Sahib—another great loss that we suffered on this day 23 years ago—and to the innocent Shuhada-e-Hawal.”
Recalling the political vision of both these leaders, Mirwaiz said their faith in resolving the Kashmir conflict through peaceful dialogue is once again being echoed globally as the only viable path to peace. “The political foresightedness that both these leaders exhibited, their faith in resolution of the Kashmir conflict through dialogue, which they saw as the best means to end lingering uncertainty for the people of J&K and as the catalyst for ensuring peace and stability in the region, is once again acknowledged by the world as the way forward. Hope India and Pakistan pay heed to it.”—(KNO)