The HUM’s Chairman has dissolved the Cabinet and the Central Executive Committee which will come in force immediately. The New Cabinet and Central Executive Committee will be announced shortly. The office-bearers who have been permanently removed are Avaz Wahidi (Joint Secretary) and Zakir Rostami (Secretary Finance) while the preliminary membership of the above named officials and Muhammad Raza and Carina Crowford have also been revoked.
Hazara Diaspora takes initiatives to form an umbrella organisation in the UK.
Coventry Conference
The Hazara Diaspora gathered in the city of Coventry on 10/06/2012 to form an umbrella organisation which could provide a concrete platform for representation of the entire Hazaras of the United Kingdom. The conference was organised by Ethihad Foundation Coventry at the Indian Community Centre, Cross Road Coventry in an effort to bring all the representative organisations and Hazara communities under a roof for collaborative and interactive discussion over the formation of an umbrella organisation, providing full-fledged representation to all the Hazaras. The conference started at 14:00 hours local time, being two hours late than its originally stipulated time due to unpunctuality of the invitees. As most of the guests had arrived on time for the conference, Asif and Khairullah entertained them who sang melodious Hazaragi songs on traditional tone of Dambora.
At 2:00 PM, the conference was formally started with the recitation of the Holy Quran and Qari Shaheedzada illuminated hearts of the guests with the verses from the Divine Book. The programme was divided into three core segments, viz., (i) selecting five (5) from among the audience to take chair the rest of the event, (ii) choosing an appropriate name and get it endorsed by the guests and invitees through a raise of hand and the (iii) determining the representatives for the next meeting. In the first phase, the guests and the participants were given 15 minutes to select five (5) people from among the invitees to run the whole event. Therefore, the following people were unanimously selected to take the reign of the stage for the rest of the programme:
(i) Shaheedzada (Leeds)
(ii) Haji Muhammad Ali Gulzari (Birmingham)
(iii) Fahad Bahaduri (London)
(iv) Rasooli (London)
(v) Muallim Azizi (Peterborough)
Coventry Conference: L-R Rasooli, Fahad Bahaduri, Haji M.A. Gulzari, Muallim Azizi and Shaheedzada
Hussain Ahmadi (President, Ethihad Foundation Coventry) formally welcomed the guests and continued that the main purpose of holding such a conference was to enhance coordination and interaction among all the Hazaras.
Later, the host mentioned of the following points as targets of all Hazara Conference:
(a) To know one another, to get acquaintance and formally introduce and to determine the exact number of active Hazara communities and organisations in the UK.
(b) To find out the reasons as to why the Hazaras in the UK remained unrecognized politically and disassociated socially.
According to the resolution of Ethihad Foundation Coventry, the organisers emphatically conveyed their messages to take consolidated and rationale steps towards formation of an umbrella organisation which should address all the political, social, educational and cultural problems of the British Hazaras as well as finding ways for their amicable resolution.
Representatives of various organisations
The Hazara communities and organisations which participated in the conference were Hazara Community of Sheffield, Hazara Community of Oxford, Hazara Community of Burton on Trent, Hazara Community of Leeds, Hazara Community of Milton Keynes, Hull, Derby, Nottingham, Birmingham, Peterborough, Manchester, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Tanzeem Nasl-e-Nau Hazara Mughal (Southampton) and Hazara United Movement.
L-R Avaz Ali Wahidi and Liaquat Ali Hazara of Hazara United Movement + Asghar Ali Gulzari of Tanzeem Nasl-e-Nau Hazara Mughal
The hall was fully packed with representatives of difference associations and organisation which numbered over 90 people.
In the second phase, the representatives of associations and organisations were asked to write a name on a piece of paper or utter the name aloud in order that the chair can jot down for voting. In total twelve (12) names were gathered for the tiny organisation whilst voting took place on each name with a raise of hand to get the most voted selected. One name particularly gained 55 votes which was announced as the unanimous name for the new body, ie., Hazara Council of Great Britain while in Persian the same organisation is called as “Shura-e-Hazaraha-e-Britannia”.
In the last phase, the participants agreed to include the Heads of communities and organisations to coordinate and interact as the interim advisory members until the next meeting of the Council to be held in Leeds.
The Leeds Community voluntarily came forward to accept the responsibility of holding the next meeting which may be held after the month of Ramadan.
The conference concluded with notes of thanks.
Conference held in Milton Keynes (UK) on the situation of Pakistani Hazaras.
Group Photo of MK Conference
A conference, looking at the current situation of Quetta with particular context to the ongoing ethnic persecution of the Pakistani Hazaras; was held at Zanabiya Islamic Centre, Milton Keynes on 09-06-2012, organised by Professional and Entrepreneurial Network (PEN). This was a four hour session which started at 15:00 hrs and continued till 19:00 hrs BST. Although, the attendees and guests received their invitations just one day prior to the event, it, nonetheless, attracted a good number of people from across the UK, including the members of various politico-social organisations. The attendees gathered there were from London, Southampton, Birmingham and Milton Keynes. Among them were the Hazara notables, Haji Fida Hussain and Haji Muhammad Ali Gulzari of Birmingham whilst Maryam Musa (Daughter of General Musa Khan Hazara) also graced the event with her presence.
The conference started with the recitation of the Holy Quran. While, Hasan Ikhlaqi and Syed Shabbir Hussain co-hosted the event.
Hasan Ikhlaqi
The programme was divided into two main categories. In the first category, the below-mentioned speakers incorporated their thoughts pertaining to their organisations’ activities and achievements.
(i) Major Nadir Ali (updating about the current situation of Quetta including Quetta Yekjehti Council)
(ii) Haji Fida Hussain (sharing his invaluable thoughts)
(iii) Dr. Arif Baig (highlighting about Minority Support Pakistan and his organisation’s achievements in the recent past in US as well as internationally)
(iv) Haji Muhammad Ali Gulzari (mentioning the importance of Collaboration Leadership Strategy vis-a-vis the predicaments of the Hazaras in 1800s)
(v) Liaquat Ali Hazara (updating on Hazara United Movement)
(vi) Didar Hussain (updating about Hazara Community of Milton Keynes)
Dr Ismail (Chairman PEN)
Dr. Ismail Ali – PEN Chairman – formally welcomed the guests and audience who was followed by Haji Fida Hussain. He shared his thoughts about the past when he first came to the UK in 60s and quoted some historic events to admonish the new generation of learning lessons. His flare of poetry prompted to deliver a part of his speech through classical poetry with simple Hazaragi commentary for ease and better understanding of the audience.
Major Nadir Ali
Major Nadir Ali came on the dice to shed detailed light over the current situation of Quetta. He, assertively, spoke of the high morale of Hazaras in Quetta despite perpetual ethno-religious attacks on them and said that all factions of the society are making all efforts to rescue them from this catastrophic situation. In particular, he sketched two types of strategies to be adopted for peace and war. Explaining the former, he mentioned a number of developmental programmes completed in Hazara-inhabited areas of Alamdar Road and Hazara Town Brewery under his supervision and his personal attention. They included the construction of schools, colleges, educational establishments, IT labs and gymnasium to provide educational and recreational facilities for the locals at their doorsteps.
Ironically, the government’s failure to curb the menace of religious fanaticism in the province which has intensified attacks on the Hazaras and as self-defence strategy, a viable plan was executed to provide foolproof security to the Hazara populace. This security plan included the deployment of trained Hazara youths at designated entry/exit points in order that the movements of miscreants be constantly monitored.
Dr Arif Baig
Dr. Arif Baig of USA explained about his initiatives and activities aiming to highlight the ethnic persecution of Hazaras in Quetta, Pakistan. When the persecution of the Hazaras intensified, we thought to form a platform which could raise its voice on international level so as to exert pressure on the government of Pakistan. Hence, we met and discussed with our friends including Rafia Zakaria, Tahir Naqvi and Afin Naqvi and concluded to form this organisation. He said Minority Support Pakistan (MSP) – a non-partisan organisation – has been founded to raise voice against all forms of cruelties and human rights violations in Pakistan but their main focus will remain the atrocities against the minorities in the country. Rafia Zakaria (Director Amnesty International USA) is among the founding members of MSP who regularly writes for print media including Dawn Newspaper. Updating the audience about the past achievements and activities of MSP, he said that they have raised the issue of persecution of Hazaras to the US and other organisations.
Didar Hussain (President HCMK)
Didar Hussain (President Hazara Community of Milton Keynes) welcomed the guests and notables to Milton Keynes, saying that the activities of the Hazara Diaspora internationally depict the interest and unity of the Hazara nation. He also mentioned of the programmes of HCMK to take place for the wider interest of the people.
Haji Muhammad Ali Gulzari
Haji Muhammad Ali Gulzari focused on Collaboration Leadership Strategy (CLS) with reference to the lack of effective leadership and collaboration among Hazara chieftains in the late 1800s resulting in our mass massacre and ethnic subjugation in Afghanistan. He maintained the importance of CLS in Mongolian epics and how this skill provided them tactical advantage over others.
Liaquat Ali Hazara (Chairman Hazara United Movement)
Liaquat Ali Hazara (Chairman Hazara United Movement) briefly mentioned about the current and forthcoming activities of his organisation and how the Hazaras in the UK and abroad can contribute to become the harbinger of social change in the society. He said that HUM shall be two chapters to focus and work on, ie., internal and external. Internally, the immigration problems of Hazaras have been scaled as one of the important priorities to be worked on. Hundreds of Hazara asylum-seekers are unaware of taking the right steps towards resolution of their outstanding applications or asylum cases. He announced that HUM in collaboration with Citizens UK has organised a free immigration workshop on 9th July, 2012 to provide free and confidential advice to those who have been refused further stay in the UK, having outstanding applications with the Home Office or awaiting a response from the relevant department. He also mentioned of a number of programmes from HUM’s platform to take place in near future.
The second category included questions and answers and interactive discussion on issues revolving around the current situation of Quetta.
The Government of Pakistan must launch surgical operation against religious extremists in Quetta.
File Picture
Hazara United Movement strongly condemns the brutal killing of two innocent Hazara youth who became the latest target of cold-blooded attack on 15-05-2012. The perpetual attacks on innocent citizens in Quetta city suffice that the provincial Balochistan government’s non-serious attitude to curb the menace. The religious extremists cannot execute their the spate of targeted attacks without the covert support of law enforcement agencies and the serving Balochistan ministers. The safe escape of the terrorists, after every incident, raises many doubts about the will of the Balochistan provincial government to deal with the issue seriously. The provincial government revealed last week that a new security plan has been devised which incurs Rs. 12 billion to provide foolproof security to the lives of the people. Nonetheless, the repetitive incidents of targeted killings in Quetta raise volumes of high concern about its widespread promulgation.
Hazara United Movement condoles with the families of the victims and appeals to the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan to exercise their constitutional powers to restore law and order in the city, advising the relevant quarters of surgical operation against the terrorists in and around Quetta city.
HUM also appeals to all the political parties of Pakistan to utilize their democratic rights of initiating a full-fledged debate on the ongoing ethnic persecution of Hazaras in National Assembly of Pakistan and urge upon the government of stern action against the terrorists.
HUM also appeals to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo motu notice of these incidents and provide justice to the affectees.
Avaz Ali Wahidi appointed as Joint Secretary.
Avaz Ali Wahidi, who initially joined Hazara United Movement as Coordinator, is now appointed the Joint Secretary.
The Central Executive Committee is pleased to endorse the afore-said appointment unanimously which shall be promulgated immediately.
The Chairman and the members of CEC congratulate Mr. Wahidi for his new appointment and pray for his success throughout career.
Secretary,
Press and Communication.
Quetta city should be handed over to the army.
File Photo
Hazara United Movement expresses deep concern of the worsening security situation in Balochistan Province especially in Quetta city where the ruthless ethno-religious persecution of the Hazaras continues without check. Since Aslam Raisani, the incumbent Balochistan Chief Minister, came to the throne over four years ago, the pace of targeted attacks on innocent and peaceful Hazaras has reached new heights.
HUM maintains that Aslam Raisani and his ministers are directly involved in the targeted killings of the Hazaras in that no culprits and target killers have ever been apprehended nor the government took any initiatives to raid the dens of the terrorists. In the last 18 days, 22 Hazaras have been target killed in seven different incidents while 14 others were injured. These incidents testify the involvement of the Balochistan Provincial Government and its law enforcement agencies in the killings of the Hazaras.
HUM demands the Federal Government to deploy army across Quetta city to restore law and order.
HUM appeals to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Iftikhar Chaurdry, to take Suo motu notice of the on-going ethnic persecution of the Hazaras, advising the Federal Government of surgical operation against the terrorists in Quetta.
The Hazaras have so far shown great patience over these unpleasant incidents while the Federal Government can still make sincere efforts to extinguish the fire in Quetta before it becomes indispensable for the affected segment to arrange for their safety independently.
The Government of Pakistan must stop the targeted killings of Hazaras in Quetta.
File Photo
Hazara United Movement strongly condemns today’s targeted attack on the innocent Hazaras of Quetta which occurred about an hour ago on Prince Road, Quetta, killing six people on the spot and injuring several others whose condition is said to be critical. The Government of Pakistan must take immediate and pragmatic steps to provide full security to the Hazaras.
HUM also urges for targeted operations against the handful of terrorists and religious fanatics who are perpetrating the crimes with full impunity.
The Provincial Interior Minister, Mir Zafar Ullah Zehri, has utterly expressed in TV interviews about the involvement of provincial ministers in target killings and kidnapping of the Hazaras. Therefore, they have no legitimate rights to run the government. The Federal Government must dissolve the Balochistan government immediately and impose Governor Rule in the province to restore law and order.
HUM appeals to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Iftikhar Chaurdary to take Suo motu notice of the incessant targeted killings of Hazaras, advising the Federal Government of stern action against the terrorists.
We also appeal to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other international human rights organisations to use meaningful pressure on the government of Pakistan to stop the ethnic persecution of Hazaras in Pakistan.
Hazara United Movement denounces the brutal attacks on the Hazaras of Pakistan.
Hazara United Movement (HUM) condemns the ruthless targeted killings of the Hazaras of Pakistan who have been facing ceaseless attacks of a handful of terrorists in Quetta, Balochistan for 13 years. The three consecutive attacks in the past days on the Hazaras at designated areas of Quetta city have proved the inefficiency and apathy of the provincial government towards providing security to the local inhabitants. Apparently, Aslam Raisani has handed over the entire Quetta city to the terrorists who comfortably target the Hazaras on the basis of their race, belief and identity. In the last three days, 11 innocent people have lost their lives while 6 others have been critically injured. The attacks exhibit the hidden hands in the corridor of powers to support, harbour and provide safe havens to the target killers in that no criminals have been apprehended to date. In today’s incident, the police check post was at a distance of 15 yards from the main scene which raises doubts about the ability of law enforcement agencies to protect the lives of the people. HUM also condemns the irresponsible act of the paramilitary troops and the police whose firing engulfed the lives of three innocent protesters.
Police Check Post
Hazara United Movement condoles to the families of the victims and appeals to the federal government to take stern action against the terrorists, their financiers and supporters in Quetta city. HUM also urges the federal government to appoint a serving Supreme Court Judge for thorough investigation into the matter especially the unprovoked firing of the Frontier Corps and the district police on innocent protesters.
Formation of the political organisation Hazara United Movement in London, United Kingdom.
The office-bearers and members of HUM at its launch.
Hazara Diaspora have formally launched a political organisation in the UK to address the political needs of the Hazaras as well as providing them with a concrete platform to learn and apply politics practically. The inaugural ceremony took place on 27-02-2012 in one of the pre-booked halls of the City Temple, Holborn Viaduct, London which started at 2:30 P.M and finished at 5:00 P.M.
Zakir Rostami shouldered the responsibilities of the Stage Secretary who commenced the programme with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Later, he welcomed all the members and described the details of the event to be divided into three parts. The first part included 10 minute speeches of Liaquat Ali Hazara, Avaz Ali Wahidi and Carina Crowford. The second session incorporated the interactive questions from the speakers about the formation of the organisation etc while the third phase focused on election of the office-bearers.
Firstly, Liaquat Ali Hazara was invited to describe the fundamental principle of founding the HUM, its aims and objectives and the benefits of becoming member.
LAH welcomed and thanked his friends for sparing time to bear the national/Hazaragi responsibilities through HUM while explaining the principal aim of forming a political organisation. He maintained that we are re-writing the history of Hazaras by forming this Organisation as it is foremost initiative towards centralised political set up for the Hazaras in order that politico-universalism can be evoked within the Hazaras. To keep this in view, HUM shall be registered with the Electoral Commission of England and Wales in near future in that all the necessary requirements for the purpose have already been fulfilled and the registration will complete in the next few months. He revealed that it was the first time that any political organisation would be registered with the Election Commission outside Pakistan and Afghanistan which depicts the name name Hazara. This registration will enable us to stand in general elections in the UK. Hence, the name Hazara United Movement (HUM) will appear on ballot papers in general election. He further said that the overseas offices of HUM shall be opened in other countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Australia and other European countries in order to complete the practical steps towards centralised political set up. The overseas office of HUM shall also be registered with the respective election commission to take part in elections as well as achieving the target of running political activities through coordinated efforts. Talks are under-way with Hazara nationalists and political workers in other countries which will bear positive results. Explaining the aims and objectives of the Organisation, he mentioned the following points:
(i) To get the Hazara Diaspora recognized as a community.
(ii) To provide them with opportunities for transparent and fair representation at all levels.
(iii) To provide opportunities and spread awareness among them for participation in international politics.
(iv) To increase awareness among them about Pan-Hazarism through coordinated activities.
He also expressed the will of the Organisation to create leadership and community organisation training programmes for the Hazaras immigrants in the UK so that they can play an active role in politics. In addition, Study Groups and Research and Analyses chapters have been established to evaluate the socio-political situations on scientific basis for viable solution.
The next speaker was Avaz Ali Wahidi who stressed upon the need that the new generation will have to come forward to take reign of the Hazara nation in their hands for prosperous future. We will have to take keen interest in politics so that we don’t lag behind other in politics in south and central Asia. Whatever decision you take today, it will definitely affect the future. As you have formed this Organisation (HUM) today, you must nourish it like a tiny plant to analysing and solving the political, social, educational and cultural predicaments of the people. The Hazara Diaspora in the UK face many challenges and our recognition as a community is one of the arduous tasks to accomplish. There are Hazara asylum-seekers in the UK whose applications have either been refused or in pending for years who, due to lack of proper guidance remain passive to seek solution to their problems and, perhaps, the volume of these unresolved cases are in thousands. Keeping in view the vulnerable security situation of Pakistan and Afghanistan, they cannot return home nor can they afford to live here illegally. I have mentioned only two of umpteen problems so far but I have had detailed discussion with Liaquat Ali Hazara over these issues and I am sure this Organisation has the potential to redress them. You will need to make this Organisation strong enough to solve these problems.
Later, Carina Crowford gave a speech on POWER. Carina has been working with Citizens UK as Community Organizer which has over 230 member institutions which include schools, colleges, universities and other charity organisations. She offered her volunteered services for the welfare of Hazaras in the UK and devised different pragmatic ways to change the strength of the people into power to becoming a recognized community in the UK. She also maintained that Citizens UK shall coordinate with the Hazara United Movement to provide training opportunities to HUM members. She suggested how HUM can meet its monthly expenditure through its membership subscription to avoid financial hurdles.
The second session included questions and answers which was hosted by Muhammad Raza.
In the third session, the following members were unanimously elected the office-bearers of HUM.
Liaquat Ali Hazara (Chairman)
Muhammad Aziz (General Secretary)
Carina Crowford (Ambassador)
Zakir Rostami (Finance Secretary)
Abdullah Gulzari (Coordinator for Croydon, Avaz Ali Wahidi voluntarily offered his services to share the duties with the coordinator)
Ali Asghar (Croydon for Woolwich)
The ceremony ended with notes of thanks.
Hazara United Movement (HUM), United Kingdom 