[15 FEB 2005]
The International Educational Development (accredited
with the UN ECOSOC) and the Kashmiri American Council would like to
invite you to participate at the "International Kashmir Peace
Conference", entitled "Peace Initiative in South Asia: Exploring
Possible Options for Kashmir" to be held at the United Nations
Headquarters in New York, on Thursday & Friday, February 24th & 25th,
2005.
This
year's conference has come at a crucial point in South Asian history.
The international community has become increasingly concerned at the
failure to resolve the Kashmir question, an issue which, if not
resolved, could have disastrous consequences on the lives of millions of
people across South Asia. Both India and Pakistan have recently placed
Kashmir on a negotiating agenda. In September, during the historic
meeting between Prime Minister Manhoman Singh of India and President
Musharraf of Pakistan, the leaders affirmed their commitment to
¡§explore possible options for a peaceful negotiated settlement of the
Jammu and Kashmir issue in a sincere spirit and purposeful
manner.¡¨ It is our hope that the two leaders and their governments
fully recognize that there can be no ¡§peaceful negotiated settlement¡¨
without the full and active participation of Kashmiris living on both
sides of the Ceasefire Line as well as of those belonging to the
Kashmiri diaspora.
The
speakers will focus not only on the well known opposing views of the
governments of India and Pakistan but also on the rights and perceptions
of the people of Kashmir. In having these distinguished speakers share
the podium, we seek the beginning of a dialogue that can bolster the
current momentum of the peace process. The full range of positions
regarding the crisis in Kashmir will be voiced, and any conclusions or
recommendations from this program will have the backing of people with
the most potential to act on them in a positive manner.
We look
forward to your participation in this event
Yours
sincerely,
Ms.
Karen Parker, Esq. Dr. Ghulam-Nabi Fai
UN Delegate
Executive Director
International Educational Development Kashmiri American Council.
********************************************************
4th
International Kashmir Peace Conference
The United
Nations Headquarters, New York, New York
Conference
Room # 1
"Peace
Initiative in South Asia: Exploring Possible Options for Kashmir"
Thursday,
February 24th, 2005. Registration: 9.00 a.m.
Speakers:
India
1. Mr.
Dileep Padgaonkar, former Executive Managing Editor and currently
Consulting Editor and a columnist of The Times of India. He was
conferred the Legion d'Honneur, France's highest civilian award.
2 Mr.
Kuldeep Nayar has served as India's High Commissioner to London; press
officer to Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri; Editor of United News of
India; Resident Editor of The Statesman, New Delhi; The Indian xpress,
Chandigarh.
3.
Ambassador Nirupam Sen ***
Indian
Ambassador to the United Nations, New York.
Pakistan
1 Mr.
Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Member, the Senate of Pakistan. He is the
Chairman of the Standing Committee on Defence; Foreign Affairs; Kashmir
Affairs; Northern affairs; Government Assurances and Human Rights
2.
Ambassador Munir Akram
Pakistani
Ambassador to the United Nations, New York.
3.
Professor Mumtaz Ahmad, Department of Political Science
University
of Virginal, Hampton.
United
Nations
1. Mr.
Kieren Pendragast, Under Secretary General for Political Affairs ***
United
States
1. Dr.
Henry Kissinger, Former Secretary of State, the United States ***
2. Dr.
Robert C. McFarlane, Former National Security Advisor to the President
Reagan & Chairman, Energy and Communications Solutions, Washington, D.C.
3. Dr.
Daniel Philpott, Associate Professor
Joan B.
Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, Notre Dame, Indiana.
4. Amb.
Yusuf Buch, former Advisor to the UN Secretary General
5. Dr.
Vijay Sazawal, President, Indo-American Kashmir Forum
5. Dr.
Ghulam-Nabi Mir, President, World Kashmir Freedom Movement
Kashmir
1. Mr.
Syed Ali Geelani, Chairman, All Parties Hurriyet Conference
2. Mr.
Mohamamd Yasin Malik, Chairman, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front
3. Mirwaiz
Umar Farooq, All Parties Hurriyet Conference
4. Mr.
Shabir A. Shah, President, Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party
5. Pandit
Bhushan Bazaz, President, Indo-Kashmir Cultural Forum
6. Dr.
Hameeda Banu, Professor of English, University of Kashmir
7. Mr.
Farooq Siddiqi, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front
8. Dr.
Rekha Chowdhary, Jammu University
Europe
1. Mr.
Lars Rise, Member, Norwegian Parliament
1.
Barrister Majeed Tramboo, Executive Director, Kashmir Center, Brussels
2. Prof.
Nazir Shawl, Executive Director, Kashmir Center, London
(*** to
be confirmed).
Admission
to the Conference on 24th February is free but registration is required.
Kashmir
Roundtable Discussion
The United
Nations Headquarters
New York New
York
Conference
Room # D Friday, February 25th 2005 Registration at 9.00 a.m.
There
will be a Kashmir Roundtable Discussion on Friday, 25th February
at the United Nations Headquarters.
Seating to
the Round-table Discussion is limited. Admission is free but
registration is required. Program for the Roundtable begins at 9.00
a.m. Kindly call or send us e-mail or fax to register prior to
September 25th. No one will be admitted without prior registration.
No
exceptions.
************************
Registration Form
4th
International Kashmir Peace Conference
& Kashmir
Roundtable Discussion
To
Register:
Call the
International Educational Development or
Kashmiri
American Council Tel: 202-628-6789
Or fax
this form to: Dennis at 202-303-0062 or 703-295-8683
Or E-mail:
kashmirconference@yahoo.com or gnfai2003@yahoo.com
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Organization ............................................
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) I would like to attend the Kashmir Peace Conference on Thursday, 24th.
Yes, (
) I would like to attend the Kashmir Roundtable Discussion on Friday
25th
Yes-(
) I have the UN badge …………………………………
No-(
) I do not have the UN badge. I need UN badge for entry
If you
need UN badge, you must register by or before Monday, February 21, 2005.
Note: If
you have received this message in error, or if you want to be removed
from our list, please call 202-628-6789 or fax 202-393-0062 or email
gnfai2003@yahoo.com
[25 Jan 2005]
It is a mockery of American Values, its Foreign Policy and threat
to vital interests of America in the Southeast Asia by subjecting
Pakistani visitors & Pakistani Origin US citizens to examination of cuts
& bruises on their bodies at the port of entry.
On the one hand Pakistan
practically proved as our trusted ally since its inception. Pakistan
promoted US policies in the South Asia and even provided its soil for
U-2 missions against Soviets & China. Pakistan fought a proxy war for us
in Afghanistan against soviet invasion and played a pivotal role in
defeating soviets & flushing them out of Afghanistan. This defeat paved
the way for the dismantling of Soviet Empire. Pakistan fought shoulder
to shoulder with US forces in peace keeping missions around the world.
Pakistan is also one of the major contributors to the UN peace keeping
forces. Most of all Pakistan is a major ally with US in war against
international terrorism, drugs trafficking and global peace. US
President and US Congress very recently bestowed upon Pakistan the
status of distinction “Major Non-NATO Ally”. This was not something for
nothing or free ride but Pakistan earned this status as a result of
monumental sacrifices and services for the United States and it richly
deserve this status of distinction.
It is totally
un-American and against the universal norms of conduct and values of
friendship to decorate a friend with MNNA Status on the one hand and
treat its citizens like trash and subject them to humiliating treatment
at the port of entry on the other hand.
It is not an American
value and American way of welcoming our friends and trusted ally by
taking their clothes off and strip searching them at the airports.
Pakistani American Congress has already taken up with American
Congressional leadership during its 12th Annual Summit on
June 23-24, 2004 the matter of Pakistani Members of Parliament and
those with Gratis passport being detained at US Airports and
difficulties for students & visitors to obtain US visit / student visa.
PAC also brought up the matter of general Discriminatory treatment of
Pakistanis on the airports, lengthy interrogations and screenings.
This a slap on the face
of Major Non NATO Ally the Bulletin issued by US Customs (Home Land
Security) All
Pakistanis arriving at key US airports are facing checks for injuries
that might suggest they trained as terrorists, a US Customs bulletin
says. The arrivals, including those with US citizenship, will be checked
for rope burns, unusual bruises or scars. The document says individuals
trained in Pakistani camps are "destined to commit illegal activities in
the US". However , a Homeland Security Department official said the
bulletin, dated 17 June, was a "regular border enforcement tool".
We urge the PAC member organizations across the nation in
particular & Pakistani community members in general to write to your
congressman / Senator and express your concern about the new orders and
make a demand for its immediate revocation.
The Embassy
of Pakistan should do its duty in letting the US Administration
officially know about these concerns with a letter of protest. The
Embassy should also brief the Government of Pakistan about this
development . The Major Non-NATO Ally Status for Pakistan and subjecting
its citizens to every possible humiliation in the US will not only
seriously jeopardize our relation with Pakistan at this critical
juncture but also lead to failure of our policies in the South East
Asia. Pakistani American Congress strongly protests against these orders
and demands immediate revocation this order and profiling of Pakistanis
also be stopped serving the best interests of America.
Pakistani American
Congress (The National umbrella of Pakistani Americans- based in
Washington, DC.) expresses deepest sorrow, shock and sympathy at the
worst catastrophe of human tragedy in modern times caused by combined
Earth Quake and tidal wave “ TSUNAMI” that devastated the coastal towns
of India, Indonesia, Sri-Lanka, and Thailand. This was a shock & awe
for the entire world and entire humanity> The loss of unprecedented
number of precious lives and property took by surprise without any
warning. The modern Science failed to forecast this devastating wrath of
nature on human kind. This poses a challange for the scientists of the
world to discover a warning system to detect Tsunami before it hit
another part of the world with such revastating impact or may be worse.
Pakistani American
Congress expresses deepest sympathy and solidarity with the surviving
families, communities and nations so effected and appeals the world
communities to pitch in generously to the rehabilitation efforts in a
organized manner under the auspices of United Nations.
This is not a tragedy of
one community or one country or one nation but a tragedy for the entire
world and humanity at large and all the world communities must come
together as a human family to uplift the soul and spirit of the people
so adversely effected by this natural calamity.
The death toll started
with a few thousand is now going beyond 100K –and is set to climb higher
and it is presumed all missing are dead now. The biggest aid operation
in history is underway as the death toll from the Asian tidal wave
disaster continues to soar past 100,000.
Tens of thousands more
are missing. Rescue crews are battling to reach some of the hardest hit
areas as disease threatens even greater catastrophe.
The UN said there were
now strong grounds to believe that the toll in the Sumatran province of
Ace, the worst affected area, would be as high as 80,000. The number
dead has now climbed in every country affected, including:
X-
Thailand: 1,700 confirmed dead
X- Indonesia: more than 42,000 confirmed
dead.
X-
India: nearly 7,000 dead, and many coastal areas
including parts of Kerala still to be searched.
X-Sri Lanka:
22,500 are confirmed dead and there are fears for hundreds more.
Pakistani American Congress
appeals and urges all its constituents organizations across the nation
to immediately arrange fund-raising / collecting donations for the
victims of “Tsunami” (Cash donations only)
payable to ICRC –International Committee of the Red Cross: 19 Avenue, de
la Paix, 1202- Geneva, Switzerland.
( Tel:
011-41-22 734 6001 Fax: 011-41 22 733 2057)
www.icrc.org
PAC-
Welcome Ambassador Jehangir Karamat
Pakistani
American Congress-
welcomes arrival of Pakistan’s new Ambassador to the U.S. His Excellency
Jehangir Karamat on Wednesday - November 17, 2004
In a press release
issued by the Pakistani American Congress
(The
National Umbrella of Pakistani-Americans) PAC- accords a very
warm welcome to the newly appointed Pakistani Ambassador His Excellency
Jehangir Karamat on his arrival to the nation’s Capitol. (He is
replacing Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi).
The president of PAC- Ashraf Abbasi
while expressing his warm welcome to the arrival of Ambassador Jehangir
Karamat said, the new Ambassador brings along rich experience both in
leadership and scholarship. He also expressed the hope that during his
tenure Pak-US relation will flourish & strengthen further.
Pakistani-American
Community looks forward to his net working and outreach to the
community, its elected leaders and legitimate organizations soon after
he assumes the post of Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States by
presenting his credentials to the U.S. President.
President of PAC –Ashraf
Abbasi said, he seeks a meeting of PAC- Executive Board with Ambassador
Jehangir Karamat to discuss the state of Pakistan-American community and
as how mutual working relations and cooperation can be enhanced further
for achieving our common objectives.
Mr. Abbasi further
said, that Pakistani American Congress assures Ambassador Karamat its
best cooperation and looks forward to cordial working relation to
benefit Pakistan-American community as well as Pakistan.
Ambassador
Jehangir Karamat retired as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff and Chief of
Army Staff in October 1998. His senior level assignments included
serving the roles of Director General Military Operations and Chief of
General Staff.
Ambassador
Karamat has been Colonel Commandment and Colonel in Chief for the
Pakistan Armored Corps. He has also commanded troops in Saudi Arabia.
He has been a
Visiting Fellow at CISAC, Stanford University and Washington D.C.'s
Brookings Institute. In addition, he was part of the United Nation's
study on
Afghanistan and
Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Islamabad Policy Research
Institute.
Ambassador
Karamat is a graduate of National Defense College, the Command and
Staff College, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He also holds a Master's Degree in
International Relations.
ashraf@pacongress.com Tel:832-788-8181 Fax: 281-530-8282
Lafayette, Louisiana, November 20, 2004
The Pakistani American Congress on
Saturday, November 20, 2004, visited The Palestinian American Congress
to offer condolences to PAC and the entire Palestinian people for the
passing of President Arafat. Mr. Ashraff Abbassi, National president
accompanied by Ms. Farah Swattie, Louisiana governor’s assistant
visited the office of Dr. Hesham Tillawi, PAC national vice-president in
Louisiana to show support for the Palestinian people. PAC Lafayette's
chapter president, Salah Yousef and Lafayette's chapter political action
committee chairman Jamal Hamdan were on hand to receive the visiting
delegation.
Mr. Abbasi said that Pakistan had
announced a period of three days of mourning and all 4 provinces in
Pakistan had done the same. Abbassi said:" what Arafat had accomplished
was a monumental task to preserve the Palestinian identity. He made it
possible to have a Palestinian representative at the UN and Palestinian
Ambassadors around the world. Arafat achieved this while Palestinians
had no sovereignty [on their land] and no passports."
Pakistan was always with the Palestinians and will always be with the
Palestinians. Abbasi said
We in The Palestinian American
Congress appreciate this gesture from our brothers and sisters in The
Pakistani American Congress especially that they drove over 250 miles
from Texas on a stormy rainy day for this purpose. The Palestinians
could not have made it without the help of friends like the Pakistani
people
WASHINGTON, Sept 9 (APP)- The Pakistan American Congress
(PAC) has congratulated Police Officer Muzaffar Siddiqi for solving the
mystery of arson cases occuring in Houston area for over the past one
year. Mr. Siddiqi, who headed the Police task force,apprehended the
alleged culprit last Friday, and the 50 year old chemit, Amit Mehta, has
statedly confessed his involvement in the crime of torching 15 houses in
Harris and Fort Bend counties of Houston. These victims were visitors of
Hindu temple, named as, Vallabh Priti Seva Samaj (VPSS) Temple, says a
PAC press release.
Mr. Ashraf Abbasi said, since the torching incidents
took place against the people of Indian descent, in the wake of Gujrat
genocide, and that the Madaresa Islamiah Masjid adjacent to VPSS temple
in Houston remained unharmed, local and In dian media raised fingers of
possible involvement of some Muslim zealots indulging in retaliatory
acts- "which, however, was never the case."
He said, Super-Cop Siddiqi used his past rich experience of
Karachi police in untangling this mystery and closing in on the culprit
and finally putting him behind the bars, without shooting a single
bullet.
Amit has been charged with 4 counts of arson and two counts of
criminal attempted arson, according to Houston Police sources Saturday.
The charges could amount to award of life imprisonment.
The PAC president said Pakistani and Muslim Community is grateful
to Officer Siddiqi for clearing their names as suspects in these
mysterious arson cases.
He said "Officer Siddiqi, a Pakistani-American, is a valuable
asset for our community and his valor, uncommon courage and
professionalism receives generous admiration and respect from our
community."
Condemnation :
Beheading of Paul M. Johnson Jr;.
Washington, DC – The
Pakistani American Congress (PAC) strongly condemns the cowardly
terrorists who beheaded Paul M. Johnson Jr., the American contractor
taken hostage last weekend.
Mr. Johnson, a Lockheed Martin employee, was kidnapped Saturday by a
group calling itself Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi police
performed a massive manhunt in several Riyadh neighborhoods where Mr.
Johnson was believed to be held. Interviews with People living in the
neighborhoods, which lie in the city of Riyadh, suggested that the
kidnappers enjoy popular support partly because of U.S. policy in Iraq
and its perceived backing for Israel.
"The images
of the brutal murder of Nicholas Berg have not vanished yet that another
brutal murder and replay of beheading took place in the Middle east.
It is not only shocking but also horrific symbol of 'men of violence'
who do not represent Islam,".
"This is not merely a heinous crime, but is repugnant to the
Islamic rules of law. The appalling abuses at the Abu Gharib prison
cannot be used as a justification - as these murderers have done - for
this kind of murder of an innocent."
"God in Islam is defined by two of His greatest attributes:
Compassion and Mercy. Muslims and non-Muslims alike need to heed to the
message of Compassion and Mercy, if we are to make a difference in our
post-September 11 world."
The absence of a popular
outcry from Muslims to terrorism is yet more proof that extremists have
much more support than anyone in the Muslim world is willing to admit.
Extremists and terrorists are winning more popular support by cleverly
adopting popular and emotional Muslim issues such as the condition of
the Palestinians, or the Iraqis and because most Muslim religious and
political leaders have not taken a zero tolerance approach for the use
of terrorism to affect political change.
“Terrorism in the name
of Islam represents the most lethal threat to the stability of the
civilized world. Moderate Muslims are the only ones who can defeat
extremism and terrorism within their own communities. Every Muslim
needs to wage war against terrorism.”
We extend "deepest condolences" to the family who lost their loved
one, to what, he feared, was "becoming an endless cycle of hatred,
violence and revenge by terrorist groups."
"The teachings of Islam are contrary to the actions of those
responsible for the slaying of Mr. Johnson Jr., in the same manner that
the teachings of Christianity are not reflected in the actions of those
who perpetrated alleged prisoner abuse, torture and rape."
He said, "as thinking people living in the 21st century, we are
alarmed at the situation today. The common faiths of Judaism,
Christianity and Islam must help us avoid intolerance, anger and
revenge. As we have said many times in public, the world is seeing a
moral challenge to our common humanity.
We, as community
leaders, are working to resolve the crises in our communities and
countries, but we continue to need assistance from others to restore
dignity to our societies."
"The horrific killing of Paul Johnson followed by Nicholas Berg
not only symbolizes a breakdown in the attempts to build bridges and
attain peace...On the contrary, we see signs of deteriorating
relationship between the Islam and the West. Both these incidents will
feed into Islam-phobia, or the general fear and hatred of Islam, and
must be a cause of concern for us all."
In the name of common humanity, he said, PAC seeks to create a
better understanding among members of different faiths and cultures
through positive and constructive dialogue. "In spite of the recent
annoying and deeply disco uraging
developments, we are committed to peace, compassion, mercy and justice."
Pakistani American
Congress (Washington, DC.) is a nation-wide umbrella
entity of Pakistani-Americans and Pakistani organizations in North
America since
1990. It is incorporated as a non-profit, non-religious and non-partisan
premier
community organization. It is a catalyst of social and political
activities
which promotes the interests and protects the civil rights, liberties,
of Pakistani
-American community in the United States
Pakistani American
Congress Strongly condemns the cold blooded and brutal murder of an
innocent, law abiding, hardworking, young student, the only child of his
parents. Nabeel Siddiqui 24, a Computer Science major who graduated from
the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) this summer, died on
Monday at New Jersey's University Hospital in Newark as result of head
trauma which caused severe damage to his brain. He was trapped for pizza
delivery by the suspects and then beaten up savagely in his head by
baseball bats and left at the scene thinking he is dead. He was taken to
the New Jersey's University Hospital where he died due to massive head
injuries on 4:55 p.m., October 6th, 2003.
Police said it
appeared that three teens used a false pizza order to lure Siddiqui, who
was working as a pizza deliveryman while looking for a permanent job, to
Haxtun Avenue, an upscale residential street near the U.S. Veterans
Administration Medical Center. Siddiqui was hit in the head with a
baseball bat, and his silver 1995 Nissan Altima was stolen, police said.
He was found about 9:45 p.m., lying in the street, semiconscious and
bleeding from his head, said Lt. Kevin Sooy. Only the car was taken,
Sooy said. Siddiqui's wallet, containing $30, his college identification
and numerous credit cards, was found at the scene. Police said they are
not sure if Siddiqui was attacked before or while he was making the
delivery, but that they believed the attack was planned . Sooy said
Siddiqui's car was recovered by South Orange police on Hamilton Street,
a half-mile away.
Police have
arrested two teens in Orange, a 16-year-old on Sunday and a 17-year-old
on Monday, and another 16-year-old suspect Tuesday in his Woodbridge
home. All three remain in the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center in
Newark, pending juvenile court actions on the crimes for which they've
been accused, Sooy said. The three suspects face aggravated assault,
robbery, possession of a weapon and carjacking charges, police said. He
was attacked on Haxtun Ave, in Orange NJ, while delivering a p izza to
an address on which the resident told police that no one there had
ordered a pizza.
"He is extremely
popular. Just look at all the people here to see him," said friend Talha
Abbasi, gesturing around the waiting room. But his friends said the two
people most missed in the crowd were his parents, Atiq Siddiqui and
Husna Siddiqui, who live in Karachi, Pakistan.
Nabeel, described
by his friends as funny, friendly and exceptionally witty. Nabeel
arrived in America eight years ago from Pakistan, Graduated with honors
from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Nabeel had a plan to work
for a couple of years as a computer programmer and eventually bring his
mother, father and younger sister to join him in his new home in Kearny.
" He was so ready for it," said his cousin Asim Khan of Westchester,
N.Y. "He was the only son of his parents, and they gave up so much to
pay for (his) education. He wanted to repay that.
After 9/11 life of
Pakistani Muslim Americans has become miserable. Under a heightened anti
Pakistani and Anti Muslim bias , a rise in attacks on Muslims &
Pakistanis have been noticed and this should not ruled as simple assault
or robbery cases. In this case even the Police Officer believe that the
assault was planned and the three teens used a false pizza order to lure
Siddiqui in their hate trap.
We express deep
sympathy, support and solidarity to the family & friends of the deceased
and also with members of Pakistani Community of New Jersey over this
irreparable loss of a precious life. We pray for the parted soul to rest
peace in the paradise.
We condemn the
incident in strongest words and ask the Governor of New Jersey and urge
the law enforcement authorities to look into this tragedy as a possible
hate crime. To take serious notice of this incident and assure the
Pakistani-American community that justice will be done. We also demand
that incident to be thoroughly investigated and see if this was a result
of hate crime and who is behind this. We also ask the Governor of New
Jersey and our congressional leaders to ensure the safety of life and
property of its citizens to order special police patrolling for Pakistan
& Muslim communities to protect them from hate crimes. These criminal be
tried as adults and state to seek maximum punishment allowed under law.
It is the responsibility of State to protect the life and property of
its resident irrespective of ethnicity, origin, color, creed or
religion. We will continue to advocate the safety concerns of our
community and will oversee the measures taken by the City / State and
progress made.
We urge our
community member to see wisdom in unity and support your local community
organization and get involved in the m! ainstream political process as
well.
Please sign the
Petition
and forward it to your friends and family.
Abbasi, M.
Ashraf : President
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