Kashmiris across LoC greet Anadolu Agency on centennial

By Islamuddin Sajid and Hilal Mir

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan / SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir (AA) - Prominent Kashmiri across the Line of Control (LoC) -- that divides the region between India and Pakistan -- have greeted the Turkish global wire Anadolu Agency for completing 100 years of its operations.

They said that the Agency’s coverage was matching Turkey’s rise and growing stature in global politics.

In a letter addressed to Senol Kazanci, director-general of the Anadolu Agency, Pakistan-administered Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan thanked the management and editorial staff for projecting real perspective of Kashmir before the world.

Anadolu Agency was established on April 6, 1920, by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, to cover the Turkish War of Independence for readers across the world.

Incidentally, the first reporter and one of the founders of the Agency was Kashmiri-origin Abdur Rehman Samdani alias Peshawri, who had come to help Turkey in its national struggle.

Khan particularly praised the reporting of Anadolu Agency following India’s decision of revoking the autonomy and dividing the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

"I strongly believe that Anadolu Agency shall follow-on essential support to this just struggle in future as well," he added.

He recalled that Kashmiri people have strong fraternity with Turkish brethren and view President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a heroic figure.

"Let me reiterate on behalf of Kashmiri nation our sincere wishes and congratulations for Anadolu Agency and aspire that this important outfit shall attain new heights in the upcoming years with prestige and pride," he concluded.

- Messages from another side of LoC

On the sider side of the dividing LoC as well, a cross-section of people greeted and acknowledged the role of Anadolu Agency.

Muzamil Jaleel, a senior editor at India’s leading newspaper Indian Express, said Anadolu Agency’s coverage of world affairs, especially the Muslim world has become important in the wake of Turkey’s growing prominence on the world stage.

Veteran, award-winning journalist Yusuf Jameel said he was delighted to know that the ancestors of Anadolu Agency’s first reporter belonged to Kashmir.

"In the times of many biases -- political, regional, religious, ethnic -- condescension, fake and paid news overwhelming this profession in many parts of the world, Anadolu Agency is hope for billions of people across the continents who continue to see in it a source for trusted news," said Jameel who has reported Kashmir conflict for more than three decades for leading global media outlets.

"Myself being a Kashmiri and a journalist, I feel proud as well. Happy anniversary! And all the best for your all future endeavors," Jameel added.

Shah Abbas, editor with largely circulated Urdu daily the Kashmir Uzma said the Anadolu Agency which has completed 100 years of its existence has added responsibility to uphold standards of journalism.

Naseer Ganai, who reports for a leading weekly Indian journal, the Outlook, said Anadolu Agency’s coverage is not influenced by dominant paradigms of the world and has its own perspective.

"Only at Anadolu Agency would you find that conflicts like Kashmir have not become boring or stale as they say when the state of affairs in a conflict zone becomes repetitive," said Zahid Rafiq, former bureau chief of India’s leading newspaper The Hindu.

"And what is also noteworthy is that other aspects of life in conflict, besides violence and politics, are widely covered by the Anadolu Agency,” said Rafiq said, who also reported for Agency before moving to the U.S. for further studies at Cornell University.