As per the article, All Parties Hurriyat Conference [or APHC] is an amalgam of dozens of political groups that challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region.
The article twice quotes Sayied Abdullah Geelani who is a Pakistan-administered Kashmir-based spokesperson of APHC saying:
"The award has come from the country's monarchy. It does not reflect the voice of the people of UAE. We urge democracies like Turkey and Malaysia to intervene in Kashmir dispute and show mirror to such monarchies,". "It's an embarrassment for the entire Muslim Ummah (community),"
My response to Geelani and others in this regard is that as a proud Muslim and a UAE national, I bless the brave and unapologetic move of our leadership in awarding Mr. Modi. It is Geelani's statements that I find embarrassing and politically squint for the following reasons:
1- It's embarrassing and politically squint to ask for Turkey's intervention knowing that Turkey has for long brutally crushed the Kurdish separatists, who happen to be like people of Kashmir asking for their freedom and independence.
2- It's embarrassing and politically squint for Geelani to ask help from Turkey knowing that Turkey is having a apolitical and friendly relationship with Israel, which happens to be occupying Palestinian territories since 1948, threatening Al Aqsaa Masjid and brutally crushing Palestinian freedom fighters.
3- It's embarrassing and politically squint for Geelani to mention "Muslim Ummah" when Kurdish Muslim majority separatists are struggling with Turkish, Iranian, Syrian and Iraqi Muslim majority countries to gain independence and freedom. These Muslim majority countries have crushed the Kurdish Muslims brutally and even used chemical weapons.
4- It's embarrassing and politically squint for Geelani to ask for Malaysia's interference knowing how tolerant Malaysia is with its non Muslim minorities while non Muslim minorities of Kashmir, such as Pandits, were forced to leave Kashmir and live elsewhere in India (Exodus from Kashmir 1985–1995) because they were identified as 'Kaffir' by squint separatists.
5- It's embarrassing and politically squint for Geelani to use Islam as a tool to achieve political targets. Kashmiris asking for independence has nothing to do with Islam. This is a political issue (just like Kurdish) and it's on going for the last 72 years, long before radical Hindu nationalists win majority in the Indian government.
Islamic government is required to permit Muslims practice their religion peacefully. Muslims could also live under a non Islamic government if such government grant Muslims the peace and the right to be born and die as a Muslim. Gandhi's tolerant style of government is a perfect example.
6- UAE government has taken similar strategical initiatives to spread hope, tolerance and peace worldwide. Hosting the historical visit of Pope to Arabia is one. This is done to mirror the politically squint acts of Iran, Turkey and Qatar.
7- The recognition witnessed the launch of a special commemorative stamp to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who was very tolerant towards Muslims. This is a clear message from UAE leaders and not a coincident. Only those politically squint, such as Geelani, won't see this message of peace clearly. Only radicals on both sides won't hear this message of peace loudly.
The article goes on quoting Geelani saying "At this juncture, there's no other alternative but to fight with full determination. India should know that even if it brings its entire armed forces into Kashmir, people will not let go of the struggle for their rights and liberation." "If the Indian armed forces still attack our gatherings, the entire responsibility for the possible loss of lives and property will be on them and the world will remain witness to their deeds,".
Obviously, in addition to Geelani knowing nothing about Turkish and Kurdish struggle and his shallow knowledge of international politics, we now know that managing conflicts requires a lot of diplomacy and wisdom, two things that Geelani is obviously lacking.
Modi and UAE leadership celebrating Gandhi's memory is a clear sign of commitment of both sides to peace and tolerance.
Geelani should show similar wisdom and stop asking people to fight. Geelani shouldn't provoke the Indian armed forces. Geelani shouldn't encourage women and kids to face Indian army. Safeguarding people should be Geelani and Kashmiri Muslim leadership's utmost responsibility.
Authentic Hadeeth informs that prophet Mohamed was keen to protect his people to the extent that he allowed Muslims to say 'Kofr' if their lives were dependent on it. He further allowed us Muslims to eat pork and drink wine if our lives were dependent on it. Similarly, to protect Muslims from radical Hindus, I am sure he would have encouraged Indian Muslims not to eat cow meat in the Hindu majority India. Anyway, eating cow meat is not compulsory in Islam.
I fail to understand, why Geelani is being so suicidal? Why is he pushing his weak people to death? Who taught him that?!
Why can't Geelani walk the steps of the prophet Mohamed may peace and blessing of Allah be upon him? Why is he not negotiating with the Indian government? Is Geelani free to negotiate with the Indian government, or is he controlled by the Pakistani authorities?
Warlords like Geelani are equally responsible for every blood being shed in Kashmir.
Prophet Mohamed's authentic history makes me confidently say that if he was among us, he would have negotiated peace with the Indian government based on Gandhi's tolerant principals. This is exactly what UAE leadership are promoting. We promote peace and tolerance.
Geelani's religiously embarrassing and politically squint statements are testimonies that Kashmiri separatists's core problem is lack of wise leadership.
History has taught me to trust my leadership and leave foreign policies to them. In few years, we will be able to see clearly the wisdom behind this initiative.
This incident has taught me to watch for politically squint and radical people such as Geelani and APHC.
History has taught me that it takes two hands to clap and one hand to slap. Kashmiri separatists and the Indian government could either continue slapping each other or talk and clap.
Here is the article:
https://www.trtworld.com/asia/top-kashmir-resistance-group-slams-uae-for-modi-award-29
As for my position on kashmir, please refer the following link:
http://hakandkak.com/blog/2019/08/15/kashmir/
