Welivego

DALLAS: Raja Muzaffar, a dependable ally of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chief Yasin Malik, has made a heartfelt appeal to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman to step in and protect the life of the jailed Kashmiri leader in India.

Muzaffar, who is based in the United States and was recently chosen as the JKLF's acting chairman, wrote the fervent appeal while acknowledging Saudi Arabia's positive diplomatic relations with India.

Though the crown prince has been specially invited by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Delhi on September 11, his letter was written at the same time.

The letter asked Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman to use his diplomatic clout to defend the life of prominent Kashmiri leader Muhammad Yasin Malik. "The people of Kashmir earnestly appeal to Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman," it said.

The request, which was transmitted through the Saudi embassy in Washington, indicates that throughout his visits to the country, Muzaffar met with American officials in addition to past prime ministers of Pakistan and India to discuss peaceful ways to resolve the Kashmir dispute.

During his visit to Saudi Arabia, he also had conversations with Saudi officials at the OIC Secretariat. Malik was detained by the Indian government prior to the repeal of Article 370, and after being charged with politically motivated offenses, he was given a life sentence. Indian authorities have filed an appeal to change Malik's punishment to the death penalty, which is regarded as being disproportionate and unjust.

Unfortunately, there is little prospect that the imprisoned Kashmiri leader would have a fair trial given the rise in anti-Muslim sentiment in India. His life is currently under grave danger, which affects not only the two areas of Kashmir but also the larger global Kashmiri Muslim community.

Muzaffar's letter also remembers the momentous encounter that took place in Riyadh in 1963 between the late Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdullah and the late Saudi king Shah Faisal. It should be remembered that Sheikh Abdullah was detained by the Indian government after returning home.

His letter also emphasizes the crucial part the Saudi government played in Sheikh Abdullah's 1964 mission to negotiate with Pakistan after his release and subsequent release.

Muzaffar has sent copies of his interviews and articles from well-known Saudi newspapers such Arab News, Saudi Gazette, and Al-Muslimun in addition to the letter as part of his request to the Saudi crown prince for humanitarian reasons.

In order for Crown Prince MBS and his party, who are currently in India, to effectively contribute to a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict and align with India's and Pakistan's aspirations for a dialogue-driven solution, they are counting on him to secure the release of their beloved leader, who is very dear to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
In an effort to attract more attention to this urgent issue, Muzaffar has also voiced his concerns to other international human rights organizations.