- The whole world needs to notice
Currently, there are huge challenges facing the ummah, not to mention the global crisis confronting humanity. The world has been in turmoil starting with the creation of illegal state of Israel in 1948, the falling of Soviet Union in 1991, 11 September 2001, the armed strikes by United States on Afghanistan and Iraq in 2001 and 2003 respectively, the awakening of Arab Springs in 2011, involving Middle East countries such as Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Bahrain and the list goes on. These numerous conflicts and unrest that ensued seems to be unresolved and unending.
Thus, the oppression and injustice continues to exist against Muslim communities in Kashmir, Palestine, China, Burma, India, with addition to the attacks launched by extremist groups in western countries such as United States, Britain and Europe. These atrocities against Muslims widen the gap between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. It is pertinent to note that the trend of these attacks eventually seems to be generally targeting Muslim communities. The enemies of Islam directed their efforts in manipulating and creating global perception by stereotyping Islam with terrorism leading to prejudiced behaviour towards Muslims. In such well-planned conspiracies, the Muslim communities seem to be dragged to a corner, seemingly creating a dead end and making them unable to respond effectively. As a consequence, millions of Muslims suffer: tortured, denied basic human rights, made refugees and worse still, wiped out through genocide and ethnic cleansing.
Within the predicaments mentioned above, one of the underrated issues, which the global community has overlooked, is the oppression of Muslims in Kashmir. Kashmiri Muslims have experienced heinous and unimaginable tragedy ever fallen on humankind since October 1947, yet it does not receive enough attention by the world media. The genocide since then had led to the death of 300,000 to 500,000 Kashmiris Muslims. Equal number of Kashmir citizens similarly lost their shelters while waiting for United Nation Security Council Resolution to be implemented regarding the conflict. Not only are they facing a killing spree and losing their shelters, thousands of Kashmiris Muslim women have been raped and molested, while thousands of their men have disappeared and found in unmarked and unnamed mass graves.
Thousands of Kashmiris Muslim women have been raped and molested, while thousands of their men have disappeared
Since 9 July 2016, more than 300 Kashmiri youth have been martyred due to bullet injuries while thousands blinded by pellet guns by Indian military forces. On 1 April 2018 alone, 20 Kashmiri youth were martyred, intended to stifle the awakening of Muslim Kashmiris. It is generally unreported, more than 100,000 Kashmiri Muslims have been killed since 1989.
It is also significant to note that there was recent report endorsed by United Nations Council on Human Rights (UNCHR) dated 14 June 2018, indicating obvious violation of human rights in Jammu-Kashmir. In addition, there was report endorsed by Amnesty International in 2017 entitled “Losing Sight in Kashmir”, enumerating intentional strikes made by Indian occupied forces to blind Kashmiri youths.
In the report endorsed by J&K International People’s Tribunal (IPTK) entitled “Buried Evidence” in 2009, there was discovery of unmarked mass graves in several districts. Even if there is ample evidence of mass killing incidents executed by the Indian forces, there is no thorough and comprehensive investigation carried out, not to mention any prosecution which seems to be totally null. Thus, it can be concluded that the crimes by the Indian forces have been carried out with impunity and justice remains in the darkness.
Apart from these unbearable and suffocating events, it is important to recognise emblematic tragedy in Kunan-Poshpora districts whereby Kashmiri women had been brutally gang-raped in 1991 which has been recorded in the report and mentioned by UNCHR.
The report stated above cannot be refuted. The oppression against Kashmiri Muslim community is obvious. With existing reports combining with the data recorded through a visit conducted by OIC between 27 and 29 March 2017, these data are the shocking figures for the audience to ponder.
From 8 July 2016 until 30 September 2018, 753 Kashmiris were killed, comprising 80 children, 18 women, 56 detainees. In addition, there were more than 200,000 Kashmiris who have been reported to be injured, thousands have been unlawfully detained or raped and molested.
To add with these shocking facts, there are reports from facts gathered by All Parties Parliamentary Group of Kashmir which produced recommendations and reiterating those who had been mentioned in the UNCHR reports to be investigated to illustrate the oppression committed by Indian forces in Kashmir.
Hence, it is crystal clear that there is an absence of drastic action to resolve the Kashmiris crisis. As a result, Kashmiri citizens will continue to suffer, while the neighborhood will face insecurity.
Unfortunately, the fate of Kashmiri Muslims remains obscured to Malaysians and many international communities. The time has come to give our attention to their sufferings. The fate of the Kashmiris which has not received enough international attention should not linger in uncertainty. It is an urgent matter for the government to construct a policy on Kashmir issues, based on international law. It is unfortunate that OIC has not positioned the Kashmir crisis with the needed attention.
All in all, the plight of the Kashmiris cannot be left ignored and forgotten.
