WE ARE INDEBTED TO SINDHI BROTHERS FOR LETTING US SETTLE IN SINDH – ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 18 February 2002

Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder and Leader, has informed that soon after the Eid-ul-Azha, a joint Convention of Urdu speaking Sindhis and the Sindhi speaking Sindhis would be organised at the Nishtar Park in Karachi.  This gathering be like a beautiful bouquet for the world to see.  He was addressing a joint session of MQM and APMSO office bearers and workers in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar and Nawabshah, over the telephone from London.  Women workers of the MQM also attended this gathering in large numbers.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that he is addressing different gatherings of Sindhi Speaking brothers throughout Sindh Province.  Sindhi speaking intellectuals, mothers, sisters, elders and brothers attended this gathering.  He said, “the manner in which audience are paying attention to my speeches and expressing their determination for a joint struggle reminds me of 1978 when I started the struggle amongst the Urdu speaking Sindhis”.  If the Coordination Committee determines that the forthcoming generals elections would be transparent and decides that the MQM should participate in these elections, then we would not only select candidates from the urban constituencies of Sindh but also from the rural areas of Sindh.

Mr Hussain said, “some Sindhi brothers have asked that during my addresses to gatherings of Sindhi speaking people, I have appealed to the Urdu speaking brothers to learn Sindhi language, therefore, today I appeal to all the workers gathered here to acquire even a small space in their neighbourhood and make necessary arrangements for learning the Sindhi language”.

He said that the Sindhi brothers had done us a favour by offering us shelter on their soil.  He said, “I appeal to all my companions that if during any debate a Sindhi Speaking person acquires a harsh tone then you must never reply in the same tone.  Instead, it should be kept in mind that the Urdu Speaking people are indebted it to the Sindh Dharti.  This dharti provided us shelter; therefore, Sindhis are our benefactors.”  He further elaborated that if there are two slices of bread then our Sindhi brothers could have one and a half slice, since they have provided us shelter on their homeland; we should be content with even half a slice of bread.

Addressing the office bearers of Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Nawabshah and Sanghar Mr Hussain said that in all the forthcoming programs, the participation of Sindhi Speaking brothers must be ensured, so that we could unite under one banner.  He reiterated that our life and death is with the Sindh dharti.  Today, as a result of the blessings of Shah Lateef^RH, love and friendship amongst Urdu and Sindhi Speaking Sindhis is increasing with every passing day and by the Grace of Almighty Allah, in the near future the Urdu and Sindhi Speaking Sindhis will forcefully raise their voice jointly to demand for the attainment of their fundamental rights.  If the usurped rights are not given then the Sindhi and Urdu Speaking people would be left with no choice but to snatch their rights.