Youm-ul-Quds observed across Valley on Juma-tul-Wida

Srinagar, July 1, KNT: The last Friday of the holy month of Ramazan, observed as Juma-tul-Wida, was marked as “Youm-ul-Quds and Kashmir” across several parts of the Kashmir Valley, with calls made to the international community to support the right to self-determination of the people of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir.

The call for observing the day was jointly given by Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, heads of their respective factions of the Hurriyat Conference, and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik. While Mirwaiz Umar Farooq led a large demonstration in Srinagar, Syed Ali Geelani was placed under restrictions and was not allowed to leave his residence.

Resolutions expressing support for the right to self-determination of the people of Kashmir and Palestine were passed in several mosques across the Valley. The resolutions urged the international community to address the issues in the interest of global peace.

Protests were reported from areas including Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal and Alamgari Bazar, where demonstrators raised slogans and burned the Israeli flag. Similar protest marches were taken out in several other localities of Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley.

JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik addressed a gathering at Charar-e-Sharief, calling upon the international community to take steps for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah was placed under house arrest and was not allowed to offer Friday prayers.

Democratic Political Movement Chairman Advocate Muhammad Shafi Reshi addressed a gathering at Hazratbal, where he called upon the international community to take note of alleged human rights violations in Kashmir and Palestine.

Anti-Israel and anti-India protest marches were reported from several areas of the Kashmir Valley as part of the observance. [KNT]