Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir – A symbol of the Kashmiri freedom movement, and former chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Syed Ali Shah Geelani passed away on Wednesday.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani died at his home at 10pm in the age of 92 years.
He was buried in a tightly controlled pre-dawn ceremony on Thursday as Indian authorities imposed a lockdown across the all over Kashmir. Only a small number of his relatives were present, including two of his sons, reports said.
According to some official medias on Wednesday night that only family members and a “few neighbours would be allowed to take part in the janaza”.
He was previously a member of Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir but later on founded his own party by the name of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat. He remained a member of Kashmir Assembly from the Sopore constituency of Jammu and Kashmir three times (1972, 1977 and 1987).
Pakistan to observe day of mourning
Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was “deeply saddened” to News about Geelani’s passed away.
Recalling his courageous struggle, the premier said Geelani had struggled all his life for his people and their right to self-determination.
“He suffered incarceration and torture by the occupying Indian state but remained resolute.
“The Pakistan flag will fly at half-mast and we will observe a day of official mourning,” the premier announced.
We in Pakistan salute his courageous struggle & remember his words: “Hum Pakistani hain aur Pakistan Humara hai”. The Pakistan flag will fly at half mast and we will observe a day of official mourning.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 1, 2021
…His dream & his mission will live on until People of IIOJ&K win their right of self determination”. COAS (2/2)
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) September 1, 2021
Mourning
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has announced three days of mourning on the death of Syed Ali Geelani. The death of the Kashmiri leader will be marked with a one-day holiday, said a spokesman of Azad Kashmir Prime Minister.
Funeral prayers of Syed Ali Geelani will be offered in absentia in all district headquarters of Azad Kashmir, the spokesman said.
Syed Ali Geelani, the brave and resolute Kashmiri leader, is no more. May his soul rest in peace. People of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan mourn his passing away. So do freedom lovers all over the world.
— Masood Khan (@Masood__Khan) September 1, 2021
Mushaal Hussein , wife of resistance leader Yasin Malik, expressed shock and sorrow over his death.
“I wish he would have seen the face of [a] free Kashmir. But his life struggle is a model for us to stand firm against oppression and occupational forces,” she said.
#SyedAliGillani will always be remembered for his bravery and truthfulness. My video message on the demise of the leader of kashmir. pic.twitter.com/1TIDdTFA10
— Mushaal Hussein Mullick (@MushaalMullick) September 1, 2021
ISLAMABAD: Syed Ali Gilani, a senior Hurriyat leader and icon of Kashmir Freedom Movement, was buried under heavy military siege at Haiderpura in Srinagar on Thursday morning in Jammu and Indian-occupied Kashmir.
According to the Kashmir Media Service, the occupying authorities had imposed strict restrictions on the movement of people and the entire area was cordoned off.
Although Syed Ali Gilani and his family wanted to be buried in the Shaheed Cemetery in Srinagar, Indian authorities did not allow it for fear of unrest in occupied Kashmir. He was buried a few meters from his house in Haiderpura, Srinagar.
A small number of people, mostly some close relatives, were allowed to attend the funeral prayers and see one last glimpse of the martyred leader. The Indian military had imposed sanctions on the entire occupied valley to prevent Mumtaz from attending Syed Ali Gilani’s funeral.
Shortly after the news of Syed Ali Gilani’s disappearance spread, messages were issued from mosques around Srinagar asking people to come out of their homes to pay their respects to Syed Ali Gilani.
However, Indian authorities forcibly took steps to prevent people from leaving their homes. Indian authorities have also detained several Hurriyat leaders and activists, including Mukhtar Ahmed Waza.
The Hurriyat Conference for All Parties has made a heartfelt appeal to the Kashmiri people to come out of their homes and protest against the tyranny of the Modi government. The APHC has asked people to offer funeral prayers in absentia in all parts of the occupied territories.
Kashmiris and Pakistanis around the world and peace-loving people have been called upon to hold protests and funeral prayers in absentia around the world.
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