Friday, March 2, 2012

Congressional Resolution on Gujarat Violence of 2002

Indian American Group welcomes Congressional Resolution on Gujarat Violence of 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 2nd, 2012

Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC - http://www.iamc.com) an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India's pluralist and tolerant ethos, has welcomed the introduction of Congressional Resolution H.Res 569 by Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) "recognizing the tenth anniversary of the tragic communal violence in Gujarat, India."

"Congressman Ellison's resolution is an important effort to memorialize all those who were killed in the horrific sectarian violence of Gujarat in 2002," said Mr. Shaheen Khateeb, President of IAMC. "It is an opportunity to renew our pledge to continue the struggle for justice and reparation for the victims and to combat the discrimination and the economic hardships that plague minorities in Gujarat," added Mr. Khateeb.

The resolution quotes the US State Department's International Religious Freedom Report of 2003 which found that the communal violence claimed the lives of an estimated 2,000 people and displaced over 100,000 into refugee camps.

The resolution cites Indian investigative magazine Tehelka's exposé wherein people who participated in the violence confessed on camera that such violence "was possible only because of the connivance of the state police and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi." Mr. Modi was denied a visa to the US by the Department of State on the grounds of egregious religious freedom violations under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

IAMC has called on all people of conscience to call upon their local Congressional representatives and urge them to become a co-sponsor of the House Resolution H.Res 569.
In observance of the 10th anniversary of the Gujarat violence, Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) as part of the Coalition Against Genocide, is organizing candle light vigils across various cities in the US during the weekend of March 3rd - 4th 2012.

Indian American Muslim Council is the largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the United States with 10 chapters across the nation.

For more information please visit our new website at www.iamc.com.
FULL TEXT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION H.RES 569
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.RES.569:

CALL TO ACTION:

Call your Congressperson to support the resolution by becoming a co-sponsor
Click on the following link, enter your zip code and get contact numbers of your congressperson:

Participate in a vigil near you (March 3rd-4th, 2012)
http://iamc.com/news/anniversary-gujarat/

Light a candle in the virtual candle light vigil on facebook
Like the facebook page and light a virtual candle
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gujarat-Genocide/256516174422867

RELATED LINKS:

India: A Decade on, Gujarat Justice Incomplete - Human RIghts Watch, Feb 24, 2012
http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/02/24/india-decade-gujarat-justice-incomplete
Muslims are Gujarat's new outcastes: Survey - DNA, March 2, 2012

2008: US State Department confirms Modi will not be given visa
http://www.coalitionagainstgenocide.org/press/cag.pr.28aug2008.php

27 US Lawmakers want Modi's visa ban extended; Coalition Against Genocide gets support from more congresspersons
http://www.coalitionagainstgenocide.org/press/cag.pr.09aug2008.php

US Congressman Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania writes to State Department
http://www.coalitionagainstgenocide.org/press/cag.pr.06aug2008.php

2008: Letter from Representative Betty McCollum to the US Department of State
http://coalitionagainstgenocide.org/press/mccollum.letter.08jul2008.pdf

2008: USCIRF Urges Denial of U.S. Visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi
http://coalitionagainstgenocide.org/press/uscirf.letter.08jul2008.php

India: Gujarat Chief Minister Endorses Unlawful Killings, Human Rights Watch, December 7, 2007

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/12/07/india17510_txt.htm
No entry for Modi into US: visa denied - Times of India, March 18, 2005

NO ENTRY FOR MODI - By Vijay Prashad, Outlook Magazine, March 12-25, 2005
http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2207/stories/20050408003313100.htm

2005 House Resolution H.RES 160 -- 'Condemning the conduct of Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his actions to incite religious persecution and urging the United States to condemn all violations of religious freedom in India.'
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:H.RES.160:

'Did this letter stop Modi?' - Rediff.com, March 18, 2005
http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/mar/18pitts.htm

'Understanding Gujarat Violence' By Ashutosh Varshney, Contemporary Conflicts, Mar 26, 2004
http://conconflicts.ssrc.org/archives/gujarat/varshney/

International Religious Freedom Report 2003, US Department of State
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2003/24470.htm

"We have no orders to save you" - Report by Human Rights Watch
http://www.hrw.org/legacy/reports/2002/india/

Concerned Citizens Tribunal - Gujarat 2002, An Inquiry into the Carnage in Gujarat
http://www.sabrang.com/tribunal/volI/index.html

Contact:
Zafar Haq
phone/fax: 1-800-839-7270
email: info@iamc.com
Address:
6321 W Dempster St. Suite 295
Morton Grove, IL 60053
phone/fax: 1-800-839-7270
email: info@iamc.com
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quraan burning

Planned Muslim Response to Qur'an Burning by Pastor Jones on September 11 in Mulberry, Florida

PRESS RELEASE
August 19, 2013| Dallas, Texas

Mike Ghouse
Text/Talk: (214) 325-1916
MikeGhouse@aol.com

Mirza A Beg
(205) 454-8797
mirza.a.beg@gmail.com

www.WorldMuslimCongress.com


PLANNED MUSLIMS RESPONSE TO QUR'AN BURNING BY PASTOR JONES ON 9/11/13 IN MULBERRY, FLORIDA

We as Muslims plan to respond to pastor Terry Jones' planned burning of 3000 copies of Quran on September 11, 2013 in positive terms.

Our response - we will reclaim the standard of behavior practiced by the Prophet concerning “scurrilous and hostile criticism of the Qur’an” (Muhammad Asad Translation Note 31, verse 41:34). It was "To overcome evil with good is good, and to resist evil by evil is evil." It is also strongly enjoined in the Qur’an in the same verse 41:34, “Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend.”

God willing Muslims will follow the divine guidance and pray for the restoration of Goodwill, and on that day many Muslim organizations will go on a “blood drive” to save lives and serve humanity with kindness.

We invite fellow Americans of all faiths, races, and ethnicities to join us to rededicate the pledge, “One nation under God”, and to build a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of fellow Americans. This event is a substitute for our 10th Annual Unity Day Celebration (www.UnitydayUSA.com) held in Dallas, but now it will be at Mulberry, Florida.

Unwittingly Pastor Jones has done us a favor by invigorating us by his decision to burn nearly 3000 copies Quran on September 11, 2013. Obviously he is not satisfied by the notoriety he garnered by burning one Qur'an last year.

As Muslims and citizens we honor the free speech guaranteed in our constitution. We have no intentions to criticize, condemn or oppose Pastor Terry Jones' freedom of expression. Instead, we will be donating blood and praying for goodness to permeate in our society.

We plan to follow Jesus Christ (pbuh), a revered prophet in Islam as well as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) – that of mitigating the conflicts and nurturing good will for the common good of the society.

We hope, this event and the message will remind Muslims elsewhere in the world as well, that violence is not the way. Muslims, who react violently to senseless provocation, should realize that, violence causes more violence, and besmirches the name of the religion that we hold so dear. We believe that Prophet Muhammad was a mercy to the mankind, and we ought to practice what we believe and preach. We must not insult Islam by the negative reactions of a few.

We can only hope it will bring about a change in the attitude of the followers of Pastor Jones, and in the behavior of those Muslims who reacted violently the last time Pastor sought notoriety – We hope this small step towards a bridge to peaceful coexistence would propel us towards building a cohesive society.

Like most Americans a majority of Muslims quietly go about their own business, but it is time to speak up and take positive action instead of negative reaction. May this message of peace and goodwill reverberate and reach many shores.

Lastly, we appreciate the Citizens of Mulberry, Florida, Honorable Mayor George Hatch, City Commissioners, police and Fire Chiefs for handing this situation very well. This will add a ‘feather of peace’ in the City’s reputation. We hope Mulberry will be a catalyst in showing the way in handling conflict with dignity and peace.

We thank the Media for giving value to the work towards peace rather than conflict.





URL- http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/planned-muslim-response-to-quran_18.html


Thank you.

CIVIL DIALOGUE

The people in Dallas are making an effort to understand and clean their own hearts first, when we are free from bias, it would be easy to share that with others. Islam teaches us in so many ways to "respect the otherness of others" and it is time we find simple practical ways of doing it.