Islamabad: Renowned educationist and social leader, President World Sodaizia Congress Women’s and Youth, Chairperson KZK Foundation, Khadija Zareen Khan, expressed her heartfelt condolences to the martyrs of Kashmir on the occasion of Kashmir Martyrs’ Day.
She said that we pay homage to the guardians of freedom and those who sacrificed their lives in the name of Islam. Today marks a historic day, July 13, Kashmir Martyrs’ Day. In the history of Kashmir, July 13, 1931, holds great significance as it was the day when the blood of martyrs ignited the Kashmir freedom movement.
On June 21, 1931, a meeting of Kashmiri resistance leaders was held at the shrine of Syed Ali Hamdani, where they protested against the desecration of the Quran by a Hindu constable. The meeting was about to conclude when suddenly a young man, Abdul Qadeer Khan, stood up from the gathering and called upon the people to rise against injustice.
During trial at central jail Srinagar, at around afternoon prayers time a young man began the call to prayer, the police shot him dead. Another youth immediately took his place and continued with the call to prayer. The police also martyred him. This series continued until the call to prayer was completed, with a total of 22 young Muslims sacrificing their lives.
She further said that this faith-inspiring incident set Kashmir ablaze and marked the organized beginning of the freedom struggle in Kashmir. The people of Kashmir commemorate this event every year on July 13 as Kashmir Martyrs’ Day.
“Today is a day of reaffirming our pledge that whenever Islam and the homeland require sacrifice, we will not hesitate to follow the tradition of our ancestors and elders. For the sake of Islam and our country, we will not shy away from any sacrifice”. She concluded.