The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today encouraged American khatibs (Islamic prayer leaders) and imams (Islamic religious leaders) to discuss the Indian government’s plan to open a temple on the grounds of the demolished Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, India, and raise awareness about the plight of Indian Muslims during their Friday khutbahs (sermons) for jummah (Friday congregational prayers.)
The Ram Temple, which was built on the grounds of the Babri Mosque, a historic mosque demolished by Hindu nationalists in 1992, is set to be inaugurated. A mosque was supposed to be built on the site as well, but the project has yet to begin construction.
SEE: Amid Ram Temple festivities, Ayodhya Muslims wait for mosque project to kick off
‘Has to be built’: The temple at the heart of Modi’s India re-election bid | Politics | Al Jazeera
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“We encourage American Imams to give sermons on the Babri Mosque and the persecution and oppression faced by Indian Muslims this Friday. The destruction of India’s Islamic cultural heritage and the violence faced by Indian Muslims must be opposed both by our community and the nations of the world.”
Awad also called on American Imams to sign up for CAIR’s Imam mailing list. Subscribers to the list will receive regular alerts with updates about challenges facing the Muslim community and other information imams may find useful to develop ideas for khutbahs and provide guidance to congregations. These updates will begin to be sent out soon. Sign up here.
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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 Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com