All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference

The All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference is a major political party of Azad Kashmir.

Overview

In 1932 Sheikh Abdullah formed Kashmir's first political party, the All Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Conference, with a demand for merger of Kashmir into India. His party was renamed the National Conference in 1939 to suite the secular nature of Kashmiri culture. The All Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, led by Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, espoused a secular ideology and wished to create a secular, democratic but independent Kashmir with close ties to India.

When the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference was converted into a secular political party in 1939, the Muslim leaders amended the Constitution of the Muslim Conference, renamed it as the All Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, modified its objectives and threw its membership open to all the people of the State. On 13 June 1941, the breakaway factions of the National Conference revived the erstwhile Muslim Conference under the leadership of Choudry Ghualm Abbas. Later Sardar Abdul Qayyum led the party for many many years.

The All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference led the Muslim movement for accession to Pakistan in the State.

On July 19, 1947, a convention of All Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Conference, adopted the "Accession to Pakistan Resolution" demanding accession of the Kashmir state to Pakistan.

In 1955 the All-Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference was the political party in power in Azad Kashmir.

Even today All-jummu and Kashmir Muslim Conference is in power in Azad Kashmir.

History and achievements of All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference

The movement was started by the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference after its induction as a political platform of the Muslims in August 1932 in Srinagar. Prominent amongst the participants were Sardar Gohar Rehman, Chaudhry Ghulam Abbass, Khwaja Ghulam Ahmad Ashai, Mistri Yaqoob Ali, Sheikh Ghulam Qadir and Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah. Sardar Gohar Rehman favoured the formation of Provincial Muslim Conference in Jammu, but he was prevailed upon by the others to relegate his demand in favour of All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference.

To unite Kashmiri Muslims on a common platform. It was an enormous task in the wake of the deep variance in the political thinking of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah and Mir Waiz Mohammed Yusuf Shah who parted way along with his his aides towards the end of the first session.

Inaugural Session

 In the aftermath of the gatherings convened in the last week of August 1932, in the "Pathar Masjid" ( Stone Mosque ) of Srinagar, attended by well over sixty thousand Muslims, the dates for the First Session of the Muslim Conference were specified from 15 October to 17 October 1932, at the same venue, later extended by two days to facilitate the completion of pending formalities. Elaborate arrangements were made with a fifteen foot high stage to accommodate the members of the Reception Committee, 200 hundred delegates and one thousand visitors. Besides, loudspeakers were installed at various places and the stage was canopied with a colourful cupola (Shamiana). Thousands of enthusiasts were present in the Gallery and on the floor. The area surrounding the stage was packed to capacity and according to one estimate the crowd was numbered to be around 3 lacs,
The session commenced in the afternoon of 15 October, with Khawaja Ghulam Ahmad Ashai speaking on behalf of the Reception Committee, and highlighting the purposes of the establishment of Muslim Conference, emphasising that its members were loyal to the state. In his Presidential address, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, while appreciating the Glancy Commission's Recommendations, bitterly criticised its non implementation by the administration and demanded withdrawal of Ordinances in the Mirpur District along with freedom of the Press and use of the Political Platform. Elaborating, he criticised the set-up of the Proposed Constituent Assembly and demanded restoration of the just rights of the people of Poonch.

To analyse the various proposals under consideration and classify the propositions, three sub-committees comprising about 50 members were formed. During the course of the session, ten propositions were presented before and accepted by the committees. The constitution of the Muslim Conference was also passed and Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah was elected as the President, Sheikh Abdul Majeed (Advocate) as Vice President and Chaudhry Ghulam Abbass as General Secretary. In addition four Secretaries were also elected including Maulvi Abdur Rahim Vakeel, Mian Ahmed Yar, Mr. Abdul Hakeem and Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Ashai. In his concluding address at the end of the session, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah stressed the need for unity and amity in a cordial atmosphere. After hectic activity spread over five days, the Inaugural session of the Muslim Conference ended on a happy note and peaceful dispersion of the participants. One criticism about this session is that the main objectives before it were sidelined and those with a lesser propinquity were dealt with. Notwithstanding the drawbacks of the convention, it was the greatest achievement towards the emancipation and unification of a people on one political platform after centuries of persecution and oppression of Hindu Maharaja and the British.