(WASHINGTON, D.C, 11/18/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today joined the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) in condemning the omission of India from the U.S. Department of State’s list of “countries of particular concern” despite the increasing levels of hate crimes against religious minorities.
SEE: Religious Freedom Designations
https://www.state.gov/religious-freedom-designations/
“It is deeply concerning to see the State Department’s omission of India despite clear evidence of egregious human rights violations against Muslims, including attacks on mosques, Muslim businesses, and lynchings,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. “We call on Secretary Blinken to reverse course, designate India and meet with Indian-American human rights organizations to address these concerns.”
Awad noted that just this week, CAIR called on movie theaters nationwide to drop the newly-released Indian film “Sooryavanshi” for spreading anti-Muslim propaganda inspired by the fascist Hindutva movement.
SEE: CAIR, JFA, IAMC Call on Theaters Nationwide to Drop Indian Film Backed by Modi Government for ‘Disgusting and Dangerous’ Anti-Muslim Propaganda
He said CAIR has repeatedly expressed concern about human rights abuses in India.
SEE: CAIR Calls on Sec. of State Blinken to Condemn, Address Actions Targeting Mosques in India, France
In a statement, Rasheed Ahmed, Executive Director of IAMC said:
“IAMC strongly condemns the decision of Secretary Blinken to not designate India as Country of Particular Concern (CPC) as recommended by USCIRF. It is regrettable that the Biden administration is turning a blind eye to India’s massive religious freedom violations and encouraging the Modi government to escalate its assaults on India’s religious minorities.”
In April this year, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent, bipartisan federal government commission, recommended India be placed on a religious freedom blacklist for the second year in a row.
SEE: Q&A: ‘Religious Freedom Conditions in India Greatly Concerning’
Concerns over a rising tide of human rights abuses against religious minorities are increasing. In August 2021, Siasat, an Indian newspaper published by the Siasat Press based in the city of Hyderabad, published a list of hate crimes ranging from physical assaults to forcing Muslims to chant Jai Shri Ram, or “Glory to Lord Rama.”
SEE: List of Hate Crimes Against Muslims in India Reported in August
https://www.siasat.com/list-of-anti-muslim-hate-crimes-in-india-reported-in-august-2187287/
In September, Genocide Watch issued a Genocide Emergency: India report placing India at stage No. 8 – persecution – on the 10-point scale leading to genocide, adding that although the government is not yet at the mass extermination phase, No. 9, it is already at No. 10, official denial.
SEE: Genocide Watch
https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/genocide-emergency-india
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, 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 Director of Government Affairs Department Robert S. McCaw at 202-999-8292, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com