Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Report by Rana Azeem
The Embassy of Pakistan in Riyadh held a ceremony to mark Kashmir Black Day on October 27, bringing together members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri communities to express solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and highlight their call for the right to self-determination.
Addressing the gathering, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, highlighted the importance of the Kashmir issue, the struggle of the Kashmiri people, and their right to self-determination. He emphasized the need for a just and peaceful resolution of the longstanding issue.
During the ceremony, diplomatic officials read out messages from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the President of Pakistan, and Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The messages reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Kashmiri people and support for their fundamental rights and right to self-determination.
Kashmiri community representatives Elias Rahim and Sardar Shafi also addressed the gathering. They spoke about the struggle and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people since 1947, highlighting the challenges facing the population and concerns relating to human rights. They called on the international community to play an effective role in supporting a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue.
The speakers emphasized that Kashmir Black Day serves as a reminder of the continuing aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the importance of international attention to the issue.
Kashmir Black Day is observed annually on October 27, commemorating the arrival of Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir in 1947. The ceremony in Riyadh concluded with participants reaffirming their solidarity with the Kashmiri people and support for their right to self-determination.
