Allama Sajid Ali Naqvi World Cities Day: Why Are Gaza, Beirut, and Srinagar Overlooked?

Why Are Gaza, Beirut, and Srinagar Overlooked on World Cities Day? — Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi

Shiite News: Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi has said that World Cities Day is being observed with the theme “Cities Renewed, Adequate Housing for All,” but Gaza City, once counted among modern cities, has today been reduced to ruins; Beirut, which was climbing the ladder of development, is today the victim of external aggression; Srinagar, which enjoyed a unique standing from global diplomacy to tourism, is today in the grip of fear and panic; and several other cities of historical significance have no one to care for them. He said that in Pakistan, international cities including Lahore and Karachi face environmental changes and smog threats on one side and problems of law and order and protection of citizens’ lives and property on the other; the common man today is deprived even of the purchasing power for essential commodities in cities, and a large population is homeless and unemployed — so in such circumstances, how will the theme of adequate housing take its place?

In his message on the occasion of International Cities Day, he said that this day has been observed every year since its approval by the United Nations General Assembly, and this year’s theme is “Cities Renewed, Adequate Housing,” through which international institutions and countries are being drawn toward proper upkeep of urban populations and other residential facilities, and its observance as a social day is welcome.

Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi said that on the other hand, in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Kashmir, thriving historic cities and the most modern developed structures have been damaged and such actions have been taken that humanity should be ashamed of. Taking only the example of Gaza, this thriving city, its infrastructure, hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, media houses, and even United Nations offices and relief camps were targeted — but regrettably, after this destruction a complicated agreement emerged which was celebrated, and today again there is the smell of gunpowder and the sound of mourning and protest in Gaza. He raised the question: why does the global conscience not awaken after Gaza for cities like Beirut, where conspiracies to spread anarchy and chaos beyond war are being hatched?

Read More: Abdul-Malik al-Houthi Saudi Aggression: Continuing Aggression Will Only Bring Loss to Al Saud

He said that Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore are counted among the world’s international cities, but the natural beauty of the capital has not only been degraded, its residents too are suffering from insecurity, deprivation of a daily meal, and unemployment, and a large number are deprived of their own roof — in such conditions World Cities Day is being observed with the theme “Cities Renewed, Adequate Housing.” Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi said that not only should Cities Day be observed, but the rights of cities and citizens should also be kept in view.