Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry (Former Foreign Secretary): It's been more than seventy years, the Kashmiri people are looking for the support from the world community to provide them their right of self-determination, which has been highly violated by the Indian government. The Modi-led fascist government has even been condemned by their own people. The resolution of this long-standing dispute lies in the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions. Kashmir is one of the oldest unresolved issues on the UN agenda. The international community has to play a role in helping to bring about a sustainable and lasting solution to this issue. The active interest taken by the United Nations, the European Union, and the OIC in highlighting the human rights violations in IIOJ&K and the plight of the Kashmiris is appreciable. We are hopeful that international community would continue to remain engaged on this vital issue. The world can pressurize the Indian government not to violate the rights of the Kashmiris or at least put a halt on the illegal oppression by the Indian security forces in the held territory. 

Ghulam Muhammad Safi (Hurriyat Leader): Before martyrdom of Burhan Muzaffar Wani, India had created an impression that freedom struggle in IIOJ&K has weakened. However, with his martyrdom it became clear to the Indians and the world that this struggle is real and vibrant. This struggle is legitimate and has support worldwide. Even late Nelson Mandela of South Africa supported the right of Kashmiris for their freedom. The martyrdom of Burhan Wani was a source of inspiration for Kashmiri youth to continue their struggle against the oppressor India. It became clear to India that more and more youth like Burhan Wani are emerging in IIOJ&K. The sacrifice of Burhan Muzaffar Wani reverberated around the world and he became a metaphor of freedom. World must know that people’s demand for their right to self-determination cannot be suppressed through brute tactics.

Dr. Qibla Ayaz (Islamic Scholar): The Muslim Ummah observes two Eids, firstly is Eid-ul-Fitr which is observed after ramadan and the other is Eid-ul-Adha which is observed on the 10th of Zill Hajj, on the sunnah of Hazarat Ibrahim A.S as he sacrificed his own son Hazrat Ismail A.S on the command of Allah Almighty. Eid-ul-Adha holds a special place for the Muslims, as it is observed on Hajj-ul-Akbar, which is the basic Islamic pillar of our faith. The Khutba-e-Hajj was observed today, which teaches us how to surrender in front of Allah and how to attain his blessings. A huge crowd of Muslim Ummah has reached the Arafat for the biggest Hajj pilgrimage since the pandemic forced drastic cuts in the numbers for two years in a row. The Khutba-e-Hajj is not only for the Muslims, it is for all the people in the world. As it gives a lesson of sacrifice and harmony among your own community to make this world a better place to live in.

Dr. Hafiz Ikram (Secretary, Islamic Ideology Council): Allah does not need prayers or fasting of humans. The purpose of this exercise is to submit to the will of Allah. The Hajj teaches us the lessons of sacrifice and humanity. In the sermon at Maidan-e-Arafat, glorious teachings of Islam are narrated before the Muslims. In Islam, only fear of Allah matters and not the color, creed or caste of a person. The Hajj congregation also promotes co-existence between humans. Islam is a religion of peace and teaches us key performance indicators that also deal with relations between individuals.