(WASHINGTON D.C., 2/3/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to address a ban on the Islamic headscarf, or hijab, for Muslim girls at government-run schools in the Indian state of Karnataka.
Muslim students at the Pre-University College in Udupi have been prevented from wearing Islamic attire. The hijab ban has also spread to other colleges where Muslims have been harassed by other students wearing saffron scarves.
“We condemn this denial of religious freedom and urge Secretary of State Blinken to raise this disturbing issue with his Indian counterparts.” said CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell. “The hijab ban is just one more example of the mistreatment of Indian Muslims and the Islamophobic actions that nation’s government either carries out, ignores or excuses.”
He noted that CAIR recently condemned a French law that could ban Muslim athletes from wearing hijabs, or Islamic headscarves at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Mitchell said CAIR has a long history of protecting the right to religious attire in this country and worldwide.
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