Special Representative of the OIC Secretary-General on Jammu and Kashmir Ambassador Abdullah Al-Alim has reiterated the pan-Islamic organization's full support to the people of Kashmir in their legitimate struggle for self-determination. Addressing a seminar and photo exhibition on Kashmir organized jointly by the Pakistan Consulate General, Jeddah, and the OIC at the organization's headquarters on Nov. 28, Ambassador Al-Alim said "the situation in the Indian-occupied Kashmir has turned critical". The OIC has called on the Indian government to stop using force against the Kashmiri people, he added. In his welcome remarks, Consul General Shehryar Akbar Khan said the event was organized to mark the illegal entry of Indian forces into Jammu and Kashmir in 1947. After the extra-judicial killing of Burhan Wani on July 8, the situation has worsened. More than 115 Kashmiris have lost their lives and 15,000 were wounded including 850 people who have sustained severe eye injuries, he said. Ghulam Muhammad Safi, a representative of the Kashmiri people, informed the audience about prevailing situation and continued human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir. He called on the international community to play its role so that the Kashmiri people can exercise their inherent right of self-determination. Chairman of Kashmir Committee Jeddah Masood Ahmad Puri called upon the international community to break its deadly silence on the tragedy in Kashmir. He presented a resolution to Ambassador Al-Alim, on behalf of the Kashmir Committee, Jeddah, calling for the OIC to redouble its efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue. In his concluding remarks, Ambassador of Pakistan Manzoor-ul-Haq thanked the OIC and Saudi Arabia for supporting the cause of Kashmir. He highlighted the plight of the Kashmiri people and the gross violations of human rights by the occupying forces. He said Pakistan wants to resolve its disputes with India, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir, peacefully through dialogue. The photo exhibition and seminar on Indian-occupied Kashmir at the OIC Secretariat has become an annual feature over the past four years. The event was well attended by high level OIC officials, members of Diplomatic Corps, local dignitaries and representatives of the Pakistan community. Later in the evening the consul general had arranged a dinner for the participants at his residence. Speaking at the reception, the participants reiterated their support for the cause of Kashmir. Representative of OIC Secretary-General and Director of Political Affairs at OIC Ali Abul Husaini expressed the organization's resolve to augment its efforts to resolve the long-standing issue of Kashmir. Dr. Ali Al-Ghamidi, a former Saudi diplomat, said Kashmir is a matter of concern for the entire Muslim Ummah and they should jointly make efforts to resolve the issue. He also proposed to the OIC to hold a conference on Kashmir.
