On September 1, 2021, at the age of 92, Syed Ali Shah Geelani departed from this world, leaving behind a legacy that will inspire Kashmiris forever. For the past 32 years, Syed Ali Geelani’s life was marked by continuous imprisonment or house arrest. He was a towering figure, whose influence shaped an entire era. Syed Ali Geelani’s name has become a powerful symbol of fight for freedom throughout history. Throughout his life, he never showed any signs of fatigue in his resolve, nor did he falter under the overwhelming pressure and torment of Indian occupying authorities in the region.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani was more than just a political leader; he was a man of courage, truth, and profound wisdom. His friends and foes alike recognized his bravery and intellect and often acknowledge his influence openly. He was not only a master of political strategy but also a remarkable administrator, a captivating orator, a scholar of religion, and the author of more than 20 books. In him, one could see the living embodiment of Allama Iqbal’s poetry and the principles of Syed Abul Aala Maududi. Syed Geelani was deeply aware of every form and manifestation of falsehood (batil), which is why, by Allah’s grace, he always stood firm. He knew well the cunning and deceit of the fascist Indian state, and some critics labeled him as inflexible, accusing him of being unwilling to negotiate with India. However, this is a gross misrepresentation. Syed Geelani never opposed meaningful negotiations based on solid foundations. He consistently maintained that negotiations could only be fruitful if India recognized Kashmir as a disputed territory and agreed to talks under the framework of UN resolutions. He was clear that as long as India considered Kashmir its internal matter, negotiations would be futile and lead to nothing.

History has proven Syed Ali Geelani’s stance correct. Those who participated in so-called negotiations, from Sheikh Abdullah to Pervez Musharraf, ultimately served India’s interests.

Geelani opposed Musharraf on a formula . Syed Geelani reminded him that the people of Kashmir are not sheep to be bargained away by anyone posing as a benefactor. He was a steadfast leader who spent the majority of his life in prisons and behind bars.

He was a firm believer in Pakistan’s accession but was also open to any decision made through tripartite negotiations in light of UN resolutions. His famous slogan, “We are Pakistanis, Pakistan is ours,” deeply resonates with the people of Kashmir. But the slogan had another part, often recited by Geelani himself: “What do we want? Freedom. What does freedom mean? There is no God but Allah. What does Pakistan mean? There is no God but Allah.” This clearly reflected his ideological commitment to Pakistan.

Renowned journalist Hamid Mir, who knew Syed Geelani closely, described his love for Pakistan and its people, stating that Geelani never took dictation from Pakistani rulers. Kashmiris, he wrote, are currently facing a difficult time, but this will pass, and history will record that Syed Ali Shah Geelani was the man who stood against all odds and fought the enemy’s conspiracies until the very end. What pained Geelani the most were not the enemy’s plots but the betrayals from within. For the sake of Pakistan and the freedom movement, he remained silent, but history will not remain silent.

Geelani’s departure from this world was as defiant as his life. The cowardly enemies stormed his house, assaulted his family members, and then forcibly abducted his lifeless body. In the darkness of night, without his family present, they buried him in the Hyderpora graveyard, posting guards around his grave. A curfew was imposed across the valley for several days, and to this day, the graveyard remains under military watch, with no one allowed to approach it.

Like the family of Imam Hussain, Geelani’s body was desecrated, but those who thought his struggle had ended were mistaken. The struggle continues, and the battle between truth and falsehood will continue until the doomsday. The fight Syed Geelani led will continue, and it will ultimately triumph, InshaAllah. Syed Geelani’s spirit is now free from the constraints of organizations and representatives; he has become a leader of freedom movements worldwide. His spirit will remain more active in the world than his body ever was. May Allah elevate his ranks and grant success to his ongoing struggle.

Aameen.