Kashmir Solidarity Day
| Kashmir Solidarity Day | |
|---|---|
 Banner raised for Kashmir Solidarity Day in Islamabad | |
| Observed by | Pakistan |
| Date | 5 February |
| Next time | 5 February 2025 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | 1990 |
| Started by | Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan |
| Related to | Kashmir conflict |
Kashmir Solidarity Day (Template:Lang-ur) or Kashmir Day is a national holiday observed in Pakistan on 5 February annually. It is observed to show Pakistan's support and unity with the people of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and Kashmiri separatists' efforts to secede from India, and to pay homage to the Kashmiris who have died in the conflict.[1][2] Solidarity rallies are held in the Pakistani-administered territory of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,[3] Pakistan and by Mirpuri Kashmiris in the United Kingdom.
Kashmir Day was first proposed by Qazi Hussain Ahmad of the Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan in 1990,[4] and supported by Nawaz Sharif.[5] The current commemoration was started by the Pakistani minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas in 2004.[6]
History
Kashmir Day was first proposed by Qazi Hussain Ahmad of the Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan in 1990.[4] In 1991, the then-Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif called for a "Kashmir Solidarity Day Strike".[5] Sharif had come to power with the help of the Jamaat in the previous year, and the 1991 event was also a Jamaat affair.[7]
The current 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' was started by the Pakistani minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas in 2004.[8]
The 2007 event was organized by Jamaat-ud-dawa, the religious charity associated with the banned Islamist terrorist organization[a] Lashkar-e-Taiba. The solidarity rally was addressed by Hafiz Saeed, the chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba.[1]
In 2021, the New York State Assembly passed a resolution calling on the Governor of New York to recognize the day as Kashmir American Day. According to the resolution, the day is meant to recognize New York's Kashmiri community and to "champion human rights including the freedom of religion".[9][10][11]
In 2022, the residents in several towns of Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir called it a "Fraud Day", and criticised the government for poor infrastructure as compared to Indian-administered Kashmir.[12][13] Also in 2022, the Pakistani franchises of international companies such as Hyundai and Kia Motors, Suzuki Motors, Toyota, KFC, Pizza Hut, etc. issued advertisements in favour of Kashmiris 'right to freedom'. Their parent international companies apologised for the partisan nature of the acts and said that their names were used without authorisation.[14]
See also
- Observances in Kashmir, Jammu related to the dispute
- 19 January— Jammu and Kashmir Exodus Day
- 5 February— Kashmir Solidarity Day
- 13 July— Kashmir Martyrs' Day
- A black day for some Kashmir related organizations
- 14 September— Martyrs' Day (Oregon)
- 22 October— Jammu and Kashmir Black Day (Invasion Day)
- 24 October— Azad Kashmir Day
- 26 October— Jammu and Kashmir Accession Day
- Other black days also observed by specific groups
Notes
- ^ "Sanctions List Materials | United Nations Security Council". Archived from the original on 16 February 2019.
References
- ^ a b "Pakistan to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day today". The Hindu. 5 February 2007. Archived from the original on 1 October 2008.
- ^ "Kashmir Day being observed today". The News International. 5 February 2008.
- ^ "Pakistan expresses 'unshakable' support for Kashmiris on Solidarity Day". Dawn. 5 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Karachi stands with Kashmir in solidarity". 6 February 2018. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018.
- ^ a b Henne, Peter (2017). Islamic Politics, Muslim States, and Counterterrorism Tensions. Cambridge University Press. p. 89. ISBN 9781107143227.
- ^ What does Kashmir Solidarity Day mean?, The News International, 5 February 2017
- ^ Information on Jamaat-i Islami or Jammat Islami, its activities, membership, policies, and connections to military groups, other sixes countries, terrorist groups, etc., Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, via UNHCR, 1 June 1991.
- ^ What does Kashmir Solidarity Day mean?, The News International, 5 February 2017
- ^ Lakshman, Sriram (6 February 2021). "New York State Assembly resolution calls for recognition of Kashmir American Day". The Hindu.
- ^ "New York Assembly passes Kashmir resolution; India calls out attempts to misrepresent J-K's rich mosaic". Tribune India. 7 February 2021.
- ^ Siddiqui, Naveed (6 February 2021). "Pakistan hails New York Assembly resolution marking Feb 5 as 'Kashmir-American Day'". Dawn.
- ^ "PoK Residents Condemn Pak's 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' - Calls It 'Fraud Day'". NewsX.
- ^ "पाकिस्तान ने मनाया कश्मीर एकजुटता दिवस, विरोध में POK वालों ने आयोजित किया 'फ्रॉड डे'". Dainik Bhaskar. 7 February 2022.
- ^ Gautam Mukherjee, Hijab hypocrisy: Seeking religious concessions for women in secular institutions, but keeping mum on access to mosques, Firstpost, 11 February 2022.
External links
- Muhammad Raza Malik (4 February 2014), "The Kashmir Solidarity Day", The News International, archived from the original on 1 March 2014
- Nation to observe Kashmir Day today, Pakistan Today, 4 February 2015.
