Dear friends,

Today, I want to take a moment to express my deep appreciation for the prevailing peace in Kashmir. In a region often marred by conflict and unrest, it is truly heartening to witness a period of relative tranquility.

Peace is not just the absence of violence; it is a collective effort that requires understanding, empathy, and a commitment to dialogue. The people of Kashmir, along with various stakeholders, have shown immense resilience and determination in striving for a peaceful environment.

The importance of peace cannot be overstated. It provides a fertile ground for growth, development, and prosperity, fostering an atmosphere where individuals can flourish and communities can thrive. It opens doors to opportunities, strengthens relationships, and paves the way for a brighter future.

The peace in Kashmir is a testament to the power of diplomacy, reconciliation, and a shared vision for a harmonious coexistence. It is a reminder that through dialogue, understanding, and respect for diverse perspectives, long-standing conflicts can be transformed into opportunities for collaboration and progress.

I applaud the efforts of all those who have contributed to the maintenance of peace in Kashmir—community leaders, government officials, civil society organizations, and every individual who has chosen to prioritize peaceful coexistence over division. Your dedication and commitment to peace serve as an inspiration for others, and your tireless work has undoubtedly created a positive impact on the lives of the people in the region.

As we celebrate this period of peace, let us continue to nurture the spirit of unity, cooperation, and mutual respect. May this be a stepping stone towards a future where all voices are heard, where grievances are addressed, and where the people of Kashmir can live in peace and prosperity.

Together, let us build a world where peace prevails, not just in Kashmir, but in every corner of our globe.

Thank you all

Tribal invasion anniversary a black day in Kashmir history: Speakers at SACPPE event

Baramulla, October 22: To commemorate October 22 as Black Day, South Asia Center for Peace and Peoples Empowerment (SACPPE) organised one day event “Tribal Invasion: A Black Day in J&K’s History” at Baramulla Dak Bungalow on Sunday.

The programme was organised on the anniversary of the Pakistani Tribal invasion of Jammu and Kashmir which happened on October 22, 1947.

In the jam packed hall, the speakers at the event gave detailed account of October 22, the day tribal raiders looted and pillaged the erstwhile state with a ferocity that shocked the people till the Indian army came to the rescue and decisively threw them back.

Tauseef Raina, former chairman of Municipal Committee Baramulla, spoke in detail about the reality of the event as how marauding tribesmen not only killed non-Muslims, but hundreds of Kashmiri Muslims as well and aim of the tribal raid was to seize the land.

“The St Joseph’s Hospital in Baramulla was burnt crisp to the ground; its sick, elderly, and nurses were raped and killed. Pakistan only wants Kashmir to bleed and burn. Young women were abducted and carried off without distinction of colour, cast or creed. Each raider tried to grab as much wealth or as many girls as he could,” he said.

Raina said after seeing violence, death and destruction for decades, Kashmiri, especially the youth here have given up the gun culture and dissociated themselves from Pakistan. 

“Pakistan’s facade - wolves dressed in sheepskin - is peeling. Youngsters have opted for respected professions, joined government services, or taken up the challenge of self-employment through many entrepreneurship schemes of the Government of India,” he said and added peace was imperative for progress, development and prosperity of Kashmir.

Fida Firdose, chairman of Kashmir Writers Association, said truth is usually the first casualty of wars. He spoke in detail about the ill consequences of October 22, 1947 tribal raid on Kashmir and its aftermath. 

“Invasion of J&K by Pakistan and its proxy tribal Lashkars in 1947 has left a deep, lasting, and grim mark on the fate of J&K. The invasion also delivered the first big blow to the Sufi-inspired way of life commonly referred to as Kashmiriyat that had prevailed for centuries in J&K, and a hallmark of which was religious inclusiveness and bonding,” he said.

“It is about time that the people of J&K realized that the real tragedy is that Pakistan even today believes in the same policy and adopts the same methods that it did in 1947, no matter how acutely detrimental those may be to the interests and the well-being of the people of J&K,” Firdose added.

Tahir Majeed, a renowned social activist while quoting from history said, Pakistan Army Major General (Retd.) Akbar Khan in his book has described Pakistan’s role in their “jihad” on Kashmir. “In Khan’s words, ‘On October 26 (1947), the Pakistani forces captured Baramulla where only 3,000 survived out of 14,000’.”

“The Afridi and Mahsud Lashkars did not participate in the invasion of J&K out of any religious consideration, but their primary aim was loot and plunder and the kidnapping of women,” he said.

Majeed said the planners and perpetuators of the tribal invasion were, and remain, without doubt the foremost enemies of the Kashmiri people. “The day the invasion began on 22 October 1947, similarly, has to be the darkest day in the history of J&K,” he added.

Zaman Noor, a social activist from Srinagar made the audience aware as how peace in Kashmir would benefit common people in the long turn. He advised the students to make the society a better place by investing in peace.

Muskan Shafi, a student and a social worker, in a forceful speech made the audience aware about the devastation October 22, 1947 brought to Kashmir.

SACPPE holds awareness-cum-signature campaign against drug-abuse

"Mere statements, slogans and condemnations won’t curb menace"

Srinagar, December 25: A one-day awareness-cum-signature campaign against the menace of drug-abuse was organised by South Asia Center for Peace and Peoples Empowerment (SACPPE), a non-profit organisation, in collaboration with Srinagar Police at Eidgah Public Park of old city Srinagar on Sunday.

The event was attended by a large number of people, including heads of mohalla committees, masjid committees and youth, who pledged to fight against the menace of drugs. More than two hundred children, youth and elderly people signed a pledge banner and vowed that they would put every effort in their area to eradicate the menace of drugs.

While highlighting the hazards of drug abuse, Superintendent of Police (SP), City North Srinagar, Raja Zuhaib said drug abuse has reached to an alarming proportion and society has to join hands with the police to curb the menace.

“In some masjids, religious preachers have started educating people about the dangers of drug abuse. But there is a need to take it beyond that to colleges and schools and public places like this,” he said.

The SP Zuhaib urged the organizers of the SACPPE to take such programmes to every corner of Srinagar and Kashmir.

Umar Bhat, Vice-President, SACPPE in his address said that drug abuse in Kashmir was intricately linked to mental health issues. “There is, therefore, an immediate need for stakeholders to provide relief, rehabilitation and social reintegration for affected people.”

While vowing that the SACPPE will continue to fight against the menace of drugs and other social evils in Kashmir, he said, “We will reach out at grass-roots level to educate people about the ills of drug abuse. We will soon hold such events at district and tehsil level across Kashmir.”

Bhat appealed to the religious leaders to come out with a concrete plan to find compassionate solutions for drug abuse victims. “Mere statements, slogans and condemnations won’t work now. Religious leaders and masjid committees have an important role to curb the drug menace and other social evils,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Zaman Noor, a businessman and a social worker said drug users face social stigma, beginning in their own families. “There is a need to reach out to those who have already fallen prey to this menace and get them out of this mess. I hope the SACPPE will reach out to such people with a helping hand,” he said.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Sajjad Ahmad Bhat, a private school owner, Shabir Ahmad Lone, a businessman, Riyaz Ahmad, a social activist and others. SHO Safakadal, Sheikh Waseem and DO Noorbagh, Amandeep Singh were also present on the occasion.

SACPPE is a government registered, non-profit and apolitical organisation which is working for the cause of all round development of the society and promotion of education, research and learning.

زمان نور

ایک معاشرت میں امن کی اہمیت کی قدر کرنا ضروری ہے۔ امن ایسی بنیاد ہے جو توازن اور ترقی کی راہ میں اہم کردار ادا کرتی ہے۔ امن کے بغیر، تعلیم، صحت، اور تجارت کی ترقی ممکن نہیں ہوتی۔

امن کا ہونا انسانوں کی حقوق کی حفاظت کا ایک ذریعہ بھی ہوتا ہے۔ یہ انسانوں کو اپنے خوابوں اور مقاصد کو حققیت میں تبدیل کرنے کی اجازت دیتا ہے۔

امن کی بنیاد میں احترام، تفہیم، اور محبت کا تعلق ہوتا ہے۔ یہ انسانوں کو ایک دوسرے کے ساتھ بڑھنے اور ترقی کرنے کی اجازت دیتا ہے۔

امن ایک قیمتی جواہر ہے جو ہر معاشرت کی ترقی اور تعمیر کے لئے ضروری ہے۔ امن کی غیر موجودگی معاشرتوں کو تشدد اور نافرمانی کی طرف منتقل کرتی ہے، جس سے تعلقات کھچک جاتے ہیں اور ترقی کے راستے میں رکاوٹیں پیدا ہوتی ہیں۔ امن کے بغیر تعلقات کے بننے میں مشکلات پیدا ہوتی ہیں اور معاشرتوں میں اختلافات بڑھتے ہیں۔

امن کی بنیاد احترام اور تواضع پر رکھی جاتی ہے جو معاشرت کی مختلف طبقات اور فرق کو دور کرتی ہے۔ امن کے موجود ہونے پر لوگ آزادی اور سکون کے حوالے سے بہترین طریقے سے کام کرتے ہیں اور معاشرتی تعلقات مضبوطی سے جڑے رہتے ہیں۔ امن ہمارے معاشرتی اور اقتصادی ترقی کے لئے بنیادی ہے اور ہمیں اسے قائم رکھنے کیلئے جدید اور فہمانے والے طریقوں کو تلاش کرنا چاہئے۔

اسلامی دنیا میں بھی امن کو بنیادی اور مثبت اہمیت حاصل ہے۔ اسلام میں امن کو برقرار رکھنا اور دوسروں کے ساتھ احترام کے ساتھ رہنا ایک اہم قیمت ہے۔

اختتاماً، ہمیں امن کی قدر کرنی چاہئے کیونکہ یہ ہماری زندگی کی تمناوں کو پورا کرنے میں اہم کردار ادا کرتا ہے اور انسانوں کو ایک سکون اور خوشی کی زندگی جینے کا مواقع فراہم کرتا ہے۔