Kashmir celebrates ‘International Pheren Day’ to mark uplift of the State’s traditional loose-&-long woollen gown – ‘Pheren’:

English , Kashmir - آزاد جموں کشمیر , Snippets , / Sunday, December 21st, 2025

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RAO ATTIQUE UL AMIN KHAN:
MIRPUR ( AJK): Dec 21: Jammu & Kashmir State people, dwelling either side of the line of control (LoC), Pakistan and rest of the world celebrated International Pheren Day on Sunday to mark their heartiest love and affection with their ancient traditional absolutely loose Shirt-type woolen Gown, called ‘Pheren’, with full traditional enthusiasm and devotion.

Various Kashmiri social and cultural organisations hosted special programs in various parts of Azad Jammu Kashmir and Indian Illegally occupied Jammu Kashmir state to celebrate the day to apprise the world of the significance of this all season dress, meant for both genders matching to all concerned seasons matching to both winter and summer, Our AJK Correspondent Rao Attique ul Amin Khan reports quoting the sources of the organisations which hosted special ceremonies to celebrate the day.

Primarily International Pheren Day’ is celebrated in Kashmir on 21 December every year as first day of Chillai Kalan to mark next 40 days of the chilled winter in the snow clad Kashmir valley.

The International Pheran Day is celebrated for the preservation of tradition of wearing Pheran aimed at to observe of this day to popularise the loose-and-long woollen gown worn to fight the biting cold as the minimum temperature hovers below sub-zero in various parts of the snow-clad Kashmir valley besides various other top mountainous areas of the Himalayan State. On this occasion locals manage special programs to observe the day with prime focus to promote “wearing Pheran”.

In lake-side city of Mirpur AJK, a special ceremony was held at Kashmir Press Club Mirpur with Mirpur Deputy Commissioner Ch. Sajid Aslam in the chair. AJK minister for Kashmir Cause, Arts and Languages Mrs. Nabeela Ayub was the chief guest on this occasion. The largelly attended ceremony hosted under the auspices of Dr. Amjad Ansari with the coordination of the Kashmir Press Club President Syed Abid Hussain Shah, Convener Jammu Kashmir Cultural Heritage Forum Alyaf Hameed Rao and other local Kashmiriis’ Cultural outfits belonging to various segments of the civil society. Dr. Ansari, it may be added, stands as the promotor of the ancient Kashmiri culture establishing famous ‘Srinagar House’ in Mirpur, his personal Kashmiri museum cum personal residence.

On the occasion of the International Day of Traditional Kashmiri Dress Pheren, the chief host, in his address of welcome highlighted the significance of the day.

Besides the Chief guest minister for Kashmir Cause Mrs Nabeela Ayub, Deputy Commissioner Chaudhry Sajid Aslam the ceremony was addressed among others by Vice Chairman of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Bar Council Chaudhry Tariq Bashir Advocate, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr. Riaz, Secretary General of District Bar Muhammad Fayyaz Chaudhry Advocate, Senior Journalist of Britain Chaudhry Sajid Yousuf, Former Administrator Abdul Qayyum Qamar, Former Administrator Alhaj Ghulam Rasool Awami, Former President of Press Club and Convener Jammu Kashmir Cultural Heritage Forum Altaf Hameed Rao, Raja Habibullah Khan, Rana Shabbir Rajouri, Bashir Ahmad Shago, President of Private School Association Mirza Ojahat Baig, Professor Khawaja Khurshid, Former President of Bar Chaudhry Mahfouz Advocate, Professor Dr. Shakeel Ghani, Former Candidate Assembly Chaudhry Muhammad Arif, Councilor Ramjid Pasha, while former DG Tourism Dr. Mohsin Shakeel, Regional Director Allama Iqbal Open University Sheikh Faisal Shahzad, Chaudhry Muhammad Naeem of Anjuman Tajran, President Anjuman Falah Behbud Insaniyat Dr. Tahir Mahmood, Saber Mughal, Gulrez Ansari, Mir Tariq, Senior Vice President Press Club Faisal Gulzar, former President Press Club Sajjad Jaral, senior journalists Zafar Iqbal Mughal, Sajjad Qayyum Khanpuri, Rashid Bashir, Zahid Bashir, Imran Chaudhry, Asif Iqbal, Syed Shiraz Bukhari, Mumtaz Khaksar, Osama Hazar, Azam Khan and people belonging to different schools of thought participated. On this occasion, men and children demonstrated their commitment to Kashmiri culture and identity by wearing the traditional dress Pheran. The colors of Kashmiri culture and arts were scattered everywhere in the ceremony.

Azad Kashmir Minister for Kashmir Cause, Arts and Languages Ms. Nabila Ayub said that Pheran is not just a dress but a symbol of Kashmiri culture and dignity, which is the need of the hour to pass on to the new generation. He said that celebrating such days promotes Kashmiri culture and sends a positive message to the world about Kashmir.

“I do not let Kashmiri martyrs forget this dress and culture, Kashmiri culture is part of our foundation. He said that I have an emotional attachment to Kashmir, for which I went to occupied Kashmir in 2007 and met Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders, Kashmiri mothers and sisters there”, she said.. The minister recalled that her visit to occupied Kashmir in 2007 was the most beautiful visit of my entire life. During the visit, we were not allowed to meet Kashmiri Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani, which I still regret today. Kashmiri Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik invited us to his house for dinner and was very hospitable. I am very grateful to Allah Almighty that I have been made the Minister of Kashmir Affairs so that I can play my role for the Kashmir cause. She underlined that after taking oath as a minister recently, she attended various Kashmir-related seminars and cultural events. Soon, more practical steps will be taken to promote Kashmiri civilization, culture, arts and literature. He said that I strongly condemn the removal of the veil by the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Bihar and demand that international human rights organizations including the United Nations play their role in stopping the inhumane atrocities against Muslims in India. Our struggle will continue until Kashmir is free. He said that the government of Azad Kashmir will take all possible steps to protect Kashmiri cultural heritage, while skilled men and women associated with Kashmiri traditional industries who will prepare Pheran will also be fully encouraged.

Deputy Commissioner Chaudhry Sajid Aslam, while addressing the event, said that such an event helps us in passing on the ancient Kashmiri culture to the coming generations.

” We can pass on our culture to the youth by organizing such cultural events, literary gatherings, sports events”, he stressed.

Other speakers also paid tribute to the host of the event, Dr. Amjad Ansari, for organizing the event on the occasion of the International Day of Pheren, saying that we should organize such events to make the coming generations aware of the culture of Kashmir so that our ancient civilization and culture can survive.

The speakers said that Dr. Amjad Ansari has not forgotten Kashmiri culture, but is playing his full role in this regard and a glimpse of Srinagar is clearly visible in his residence.

Dr. Amjad Ansari, while thanking the participants of the event, said that they have expressed their deep attachment and love for Kashmiri civilization and civilization by participating fully in the grand Kashmiri Pheren Day ceremony.