By Tariq Naqash
MUZAFFARABAD, June 19: Annual Day functions in educational institutions have more or less same ingredients –dance performances, music and skits, but Saturday’s event in a charity school here was unique as its each and every item carried a thought provoking message about the effects of lingering Kashmir dispute on its people, particularly the younger lot.
Hailing from a gun ridden society, young children aged between 6 and 14 articulated their thoughts as well as yearning for lasting peace in their disputed Himalayan region, winning admiration from the audience which represented people from different walks of life, including AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Shah Ghulam Qadir.
The function was organised by Sawera Model School – one of the educational institutions of Sawera Foundation which imparts free quality education to the victims of Kashmir conflict, such as children of martyrs inside the held Valley and along the Line of Control and from other vulnerable communities.
“Kashmiri children have been a prey of catastrophes in succession... The armed conflict in their motherland has rendered most of them orphans and vulnerable. They need an early settlement of lingering Kashmir problem so that their miseries and plight comes to end,” said 14-year old Rabia Khawaja who lost her father to Indian shelling in 1998.
A short play highlighted the irony of Kashmiri families affected by the armed conflict and migration, particularly the social, fiscal and family problems of those who had lost their near and dear ones.
However, the magnificent spectacle was performance on a thematic poem – “The Paradise Lost.”
It began with scenes of a crystal blue waterfall and melodies of nightingales, replaced shortly afterwards by bloodshed, bomb blasts, recurrent gunshots and fear.
“They icy and chilling cold can be endured…But what about the terror of gun? The fire in the hearth of Kangri (traditional Kashmiri fire pot) is far better than brutality of thee (gun),” read the poem, in a clear message about longing for peace.
In his address on the occasion, militant leader turned peace activist Tanvir ul Islam said children were the worst victims of Kashmiri conflict and needed the utmost attention of the international community for their grooming as ambassadors of peace, religious harmony and coexistence.
Mr Islam, it may be recalled, led the United Jihad Council, a conglomerate of Kashmiri militant groups, from 1991-93 but later switched over to peace initiatives, with main emphasis on education of vulnerable children under the banner of Sawera Foundation.
“I have dedicated my abilities and expertise to providing education to children because an educated and skilled lot can effectively fight for their rights,” he said.
Listing some of the challenges to sustenance of his welfare projects, Mr Islam urged concerned people and organisations to come forward to ensure a bright future of neglected children who could fall prey to bigots out of poverty and ignorance.
The LA speaker appreciated the efforts of Sawera Foundation and said: “Not only should our own governments but also the international organisations strengthen such institutions working for sustainable peace at grassroots level and mitigation of radicalisation.”
Former AJK minister Khawaja Farooq Ahmed said he was highly impressed by the way children from undistinguished communities had performed during the function with an awe-inspiring message.
Noted religious scholar Shahabuddin Madni also spoke and vowed to raise voice for Sawera Schools at every forum for their noble work.
Later, children were also given shields and certificates for best academic results.
Ends
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