Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Dr. Yousaf Bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen has reiterated full support to the people of Kashmir in their legitimate struggle for the fundamental right to self-determination.

He was the chief guest at the Photo Exhibition and Seminar titled “Kashmir continues to bleed” which was organized by the Consulate General Pakistan Jeddah in coordination with OIC, where he said this during his address.

Distinguished guests, OIC officials and members of Kashmir Committee (KC) Jeddah chapter attended the photo exhibition and seminar. The proceeding started with recitation of few verses from Holy Qur’an by Mohammed Hassan.

Pakistan Consul General Shehryar Akbar Khan welcomed all distinguish guests including Ambassador Abdullah Al-Alim, OIC secretary general’s special representative on Jammu and Kashmir, Saudi officials, members of diplomatic corps, local dignitaries and members of Pakistan community.

Khan said that the event was organized to mark the illegal entry of Indian force into occupied Jammu and Kashmir in 1947. He urged the international community to support the people of Kashmir in their legitimate struggle against foreign occupation.

He added, the photo exhibition and seminar at the OIC Secretariat has become an annual feature for the past five years.

Syed Faiz Naqashbandi, true representative of Kashmiri people, briefed the audience about prevailing situation and continued human rights violations in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. He called on international community and the OIC in particular to play its role so that Kashmiri people can exercise their inherent right of self-determination.

Pakistan Ambassador Khan Hasham bin Saddique thanked OIC and Saudi Arabia for supporting the cause of the people of Kashmir in his concluding remarks. He highlighted the plight of the people of Kashmir under foreign occupation and urged the international community to persuade India to end human rights violations. He said that the government of Pakistan will continue to extend all moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their historic struggle.

Members of the Kashmir Committee Jeddah presented a resolution, calling OIC to redouble its efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue. Shaiq Bhutto, consular, conducted the ceremony.

Arshad Munir, consular (press), said that the consulate also organized other events to commemorate Kashmir Black Day this year. A meeting of (KC) Jeddah Chapter was held at the Consulate premises on Oct. 25.

A reception was also held at the consul general’s residence. Ambassador Askar Mussinov, head of peace and security unit, OIC and representative of OIC Secretary General, members of the community, Saudis and media attended the gathering.