(WASHINGTON D.C., 3/15/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned an Indian court’s decision to uphold a ban on wearing the Islamic headscarf, or hijab, at government-run schools in the Indian state of Karnataka.
CAIR also called on the State Department to speak out against the ruling and condemn rising anti-Muslim bigotry and persecution in India under the leadership of Narendra Modi and his fascist political party.
In its ruling, Karnataka’s high court said the state had the power to set uniform guidelines for students as a “reasonable restriction on fundamental rights.” The court claimed that wearing the hijab does not constitute an essential religious practice of Islam.
SEE: India court upholds ban on hijab in schools and colleges
https://apnews.com/article/india-islam-religion-a2c0dce46f0178e201650e5a6200be30
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“This ruling is a complete violation of basic religious freedom. Once again, India’s far-right government has demonstrated an utter lack of regard for basic human rights, including religious freedom. The Indian government does not have the right to decide what is or is not Islamic religious practice. That decision must be made by each person according to their religious beliefs.
“We call on the State Department to strongly condemn this ruling and the Indian government’s ongoing persecution of Indian Muslims. If the United States and the international community, including Muslim-majority nations, fail to call out the Indian government’s increasingly widespread persecution of Muslims, this crisis could escalate into an unprecedented disaster.”
In response to the Karnataka high court’s claim that the hijab is not an essential Islamic practice, Awad noted that many Muslim women consider the hijab an important religious practice based on verses of The Holy Quran, Islam’s revealed text, and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who Muslims consider the final prophet of God.
“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty…And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and adornments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers…” The Holy Quran, Chapter 24, verses 30-31
“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons…that they should be known and not molested.” The Holy Quran, Chapter 33, verse 59
In addition, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reportedly said:
“If the woman reaches the age of puberty, no part of her body should be seen but this — and he pointed to his face and hands.” Sunan of Abu-Dawood
Awad noted that CAIR previously called on Secretary Blinken to address the hijab ban.
SEE: CAIR Calls on Secretary Blinken to Address Hijab Ban at Indian Colleges
He also noted that CAIR has opposed similar attempts to ban hijab.
SEE: CAIR Condemns French Law That Could Ban Hijabs for Muslim Athletes in 2024 Paris Olympics
CAIR Condemns EU Court Decision Allowing Companies to Ban Hijab, Expresses Solidarity with European Muslim Community
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com