London, 29th April 2008 – World Sindhi Congress commemorated the 13th death anniversary of great Sindhi leader, Saeen G.M. Sayed on 26th April at Sindhi Centre, London.

The occasion was attended by Sindhis from all over UK, Balouchs and many others.

The programme started with the recitation of the Sindhi song written by Shaikh Ayaz. Awais Mahar and Nisar Ahmed Gilal sang the anthem in their melodious voice.

Programme Chair, Dr Hidayat Bhutto welcomed and thanked the participants, who came from far-flung areas to attend the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Munir Hyder Shah, the great grandson of G.M. Sayed said that Sayed sacrificed his very existence to serve motherland. His only priority in life was Sindh, her institutions, the people, the language and culture.

World Sindhi Congress Chairman, Dr Haleem Bhatti presented a brief account of Sayed life and contributions. He said Sayed started his political career at a very young age. The focus of his politics and indeed entire life was Sindh. He fought for and achieved Sindh’s separation from Bombay Presidency. He moved the Pakistan Resolution in Sindh Assembly, but when he saw that joining was not in the interests of Sindh, he started campaigning against that union right since 1946. He stood for the right of self-determination of Sindh.

Dr Haleem Bhatti also spoke about Sayed’s literary contributions, the books Sayed wrote on different subjects. He said Saeen G. M. Sayed faced all the troubles because of his ideology and his love for the land of Sindh, Sindhi people and Sindhi language and culture. Being an embodiment of Sindhi thought and culture, Saeen G M Sayed has preached the principles of Sufism, love, tolerance and non-violence.

Concluding his tribute Dr Bhatti said Sindhis will always remember their great leader. He said, “G.M. Sayed died in the unfortunate land of his love but he will live in the hearts of every one forever, who calls himself a Sindhi”.

Ms Suraiya Makhdoom, Senior vice Chair, WSC, who moderated the Session, paid glowing tributes to the great leader. She said Sayed started his political career at such a young age that he had to stand on the table to deliver speeches. The then British establishment took notice of his anti imperialist stance. But nothing would deter Sayed fight against imperialism and for the freedom of Sindh. Sayed served Sindh in very respect, political, social and language and literature.

Ms Makhdoom thanked Balouchistan Chief Minister, Nawab Alsam Raisani for his solidarity with Dr Safdar Sarki, the ex Chairman of WSC, by sending Dr Sarki a bouquet of flowers and providing him medical and other humane facilities in prison, which were denied to him. She asked the Sindh CM and the government to reciprocate the favour and allow same facilities to Akhtar Mengal, who is in prison in Sindh.

Mir Ghulam Hussain of Balouchistan Action Committee said that we pay tribute to Sayed for spending his whole life behind bars and under house arrest, but never compromising on the principles. He said Sayed’s mission could only be fulfilled by actions and not the words. He urged upon Sindhi and Balouch mothers and sisters to come forward and join in the struggle.

Mr Sujan Sindhi said that G.M. Sayed was the first political prisoner in Pakistan. He said Sindh remained the focus of Sayed’s entire life and for his beloved country prepared to offer any sacrifice. He said Sayed work had a great spiritual aspect. He said we could only gain something if we are prepared to sacrifice.

Speaking on G. M. Syed’s various contributions, Shahzado Wadhyo said Sayed gave the awareness to Sindhi people about their identity. Shahzado mentioned Saeen’s written work and said Saeen challenged religious fundamentalism in this book, “Jeeana Ditho ah moon”.

Samad Balouch of Balouchistan Action Committee said Sayed we should fulfill Saeen’s mission by fighting for the genuine rights of the oppressed people. He mentioned the martyrdoms of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and Mir Balaach Marri, who sacrificed their lives for the cause of their land and people

Abdul Jabbar Qureshi, President Sindhi Sangat UK, said we should follow in the footsteps of Saeen G.M. Sayed and commit ourselves to cause of Sindh.

Concluding the speeches session, Dr Lakhu Luhana, Secretary General of WSC, said the best way to pay tribute to G.M. Sayed is to fight for the rights of Sindh on all fronts. He spoke at length on the current situation. He said we are being alienated in our own cities, especially in Karachi. He said the previous MQM led government in Sindh passed a law, which prohibited Sindhi from outside Karachi from applying for the jobs in the NGO and other agencies in Karachi. Sindhis are living in apartheid conditions in their own country.

The doors of educational institutions in Karachi have been shut to Sindhis domiciled in other towns and villages of Sindh. The MQM led Sindh government shut down many Sindhi medium schools and the whole of the Sindh Assembly remained silent witnesses. Dr Lakhu said we got to struggle for our survival.

The speeches session was followed by the Sufi music programme, in which Harbans Singh and his group sang the inspirational Sufi and national poetry of Shah Abdul Latif and other poets.

A sumptuous dinner concluded the programme.