Old Companions of a Shared Mission Reunite at Washington Dulles Airport
By Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai
Reunions with old friends often revive cherished memories, but meeting those who stood beside one another through decades of shared struggle and commitment carries a far deeper meaning. Such a heartfelt moment unfolded today at Washington Dulles International Airport, where longtime friends and colleagues reunited while seeing off relatives traveling to Azad Kashmir.
Among those present were Sabir Choudhary, originally from Kotli, Azad Kashmir and now a successful real estate businessman based in Philadelphia, along with Zubair Hassan and Mian Afzaal. The gathering became far more than a casual encounter; it transformed into a moving reflection on decades of friendship, sacrifice, and collective advocacy for the Kashmiri cause.
Sabir Choudhary has remained a steadfast companion and supporter since the 1980s. During those years, while studying in Philadelphia, frequent visits were made by the late Dr. Muhammad Ayub Thakur of London — one of the most distinguished voices of the Kashmiri freedom movement. Whenever Dr. Thakur arrived in New York, Sabir Choudhary personally welcomed him at the airport and opened his home to members of the Kashmiri delegation, refusing to allow them to stay in hotels.
Those visits became the foundation for extensive outreach efforts at the United Nations and among international non-governmental organizations in New York. Meetings with diplomats, human rights advocates, and political representatives became regular activities, supported wholeheartedly by Sabir Choudhary and the Kashmiri community in New York.
During the late 1980s and 1990s, Sabir Choudhary also played a leading role in organizing demonstrations in front of the United Nations Headquarters and facilitating meetings with members of the United States Congress. One memorable effort involved persuading then-Congressman Chuck Schumer, who at the time acknowledged limited knowledge about Kashmir, to meet with the Kashmiri delegation in Brooklyn. Through persistent encouragement by Sabir Choudhary, the meeting eventually took place, opening another important avenue for dialogue on Kashmir within American political circles.
A particularly historic moment recalled during today’s gathering was a June 1991 meeting with Ambassador Robert Van Lierop, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Vanuatu to the United Nations and then Chairman of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization. Ambassador Van Lierop, widely respected for his commitment to decolonization movements worldwide, remarked during the meeting that Kashmiri delegations which was headed by Dr. Ayub Thakur were “doing a service to the United Nations” by engaging with UN missions and keeping the issue of self-determination alive at the international level.
Sabir Choudhary also served as President of Kashmir Federation USA, an organization that played a significant role in advocacy efforts in the United States, particularly in New York. Dr. Abdul Rehman, a noted cardiologist from Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, served as Chairman, while, I as the Chairman of the Advisory Council worked closely alongside community leaders to advance awareness regarding Kashmir. Under their leadership, the Federation organized meetings with numerous members of Congress from New York and mobilized large delegations of Kashmiri and Pakistani Americans to participate in conferences and advocacy events at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Today’s reunion therefore was not merely a meeting among old acquaintances. It was a powerful reminder of enduring friendships, shared sacrifices, and decades of dedication to a common mission. The memories revisited at Dulles Airport reflected a chapter of community activism and solidarity that continues to inspire future generations.
In an age where commitments often fade with time, the bond among these longtime companions remains a testimony to loyalty, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of collective struggle.
