Ankara,Turkey (TW News) __ “Two characteristics that distinguishes Kashmir dispute from all other international disputes are that: One, two main parties – India and Pakistan – agreed what should be the solution of the dispute and that would be a plebiscite under international auspices. Both parties came to the United Nations, both parties accepted the resolutions of the Security Council and then, when the United Nations sent its representatives to discuss the modalities of the plebiscite, India refused to cooperate. Second, it is the only region in the world which shares its border not only with two nuclear-armed rivals – India & Pakistan – but also with a third nuclear-armed nation, China,” this was stated by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General of the World Kashmir Awareness Forum, during his meeting with Dr. Ibrahim Ertan Yulek, the President of Ankara-based ‘Economic and Social Research Center (Esam).

Dr. Mubeen Shah, Chairman, Kashmir Diaspora Coalition and President, Kashmir House, Istanbul was the part of the delegation. Among others who attended the meeting included Ustaaz Atik Agdog, Vice President, ESAM, Ustaaz Yilmaz Balcin, International Coordinator, ESAM, Yusuf Tasdemir and Ahmed Racai Tekin.

Dr. Fai commented on India’s application of its anti-terror laws, in particular, ‘Unlawful Activities Protection Law’ (UAPA) and Public Safety Act’ (PSA) in Kashmir. He stated that the laws, which have been in force for years, can label even innocent people as terrorists and can lead to outcomes as severe as the death penalty. Fai said, “Although many people are innocent, Like Mohammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Masarat Aalam, Aasai Andrabi, they can be unjustly arrested because of the laws imposed by India, held for two years without trial solely on the basis of administrative discretion, and even face capital punishment.”

Since this was the first time Dr. Fai was visiting ESAM after the passing of Ustaaz Recai Kutan, former President of ESAM, he expressed condolences to his family and the family of ESAM.

Dr. Fai said that it was on July 12, 1991, when he had the honor to receiving Ustaaz Recai Kutan at Washington Dulles airport along with his colleague and friend, Dr. Ayub Thakur. We had invited him to be the key-note speaker at the First International Kashmir conference which was held at Crystal City, Virginia (Suburban of Washington DC) on July13-14, 1991. According to the New Delhi based Indian Express, the conference was attended by more than 700 delegates, including Lord Eric Avebury, Chairman British Parliamentary Human Rights Group, Congressman Dan Burton and others. Dr. Ayub and I spent couple of hours together with him at Marriot Hotel, Crystal City, Virginia. We were impressed to see a self-less, highly educated politician from Turkey who was statesmanlike, poised, and fully informed about the situation in Kashmir.

It was my honor, Dr. Fai emphasized to meet Ustaaz Kutan on more than dozen occasions. He always received me with warmth and extended all possible help in organizing seminar and conference from the platform of ESAM.

President Yülek, in the meeting, recalled the late Necmettin Erbakan’s efforts who has always shown great interest in resolving the Kashmir dispute.
Dr. Fai told Dr. Yulek and his colleagues that in the mid-1990s, when the Professor Necmeddin Erbakan visited Washington along with Dr. Abdullah Gul, Professor Khurshid Ahmed, |Liaqat Balouch, Haji Hadi Awang. Dr. Kamal of Jordan, Fai recalls Professor Erbakan presenting Islam as a message of peace to U.S. members of Congress and Senate, The Washington Times editorial board, and at the Middle East Institute. His message was clear: the Ummah must rise and respond to the suffering of oppressed peoples worldwide, including in Kashmir.

Dr. Fai also remembers that, as Prime Minister, Professor Erbakan was kind enough to invite him and Dr. Ayub Thakur, President, World Kashmir freedom Movement to Ankara for a working lunch with Dr. Abdullah Gül to discuss Kashmir. It was there that he suggested Turkey nominate Dr. Hamid Al-Gabid as UN Secretary-General. Truly an inspiring personality.
During the visit, ESAM presented Dr. Fai and dr. Mubeen Shah with English translations of Erbakan Hoca’s books. Fai thanked them for the gifts and emphasized the importance of cooperation with ESAM.

Fai also emphasized the importance of Millî Gazete during the meeting, stating that he has been a Millî Gazete reader for 35 years and that he follows its publications with consistency.

Dr. Mubeen Shah thanked the leadership of ESAM for consistently organizing seminars and conferences on Kashmir. He has been invited on multiple occasion to present the latest situation in Kashmir from the platform of ESAM.

Dr. Mubeen Shah underscored the importance of United Nations’ Charter for the settlement of Kashmir and other international problems. In this regard, Dr. Shah emphasized that Turkey as an important member of OIC and also a member of OIC Contact Group on Kashmir can play an important role in highlighting the situation in Kashmir.

Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai is also the Secretary General
World Kashmir Awareness Forum
WhatsApp: 1-202-607-6435. Or. gnfai2003@yahoo.com
www.kashmirawareness.org