Geneva seminar highlights rising Islamophobia and persecution of Indian Muslims
Geneva: Speakers at the seminar in Geneva expressed grave concern over the persecution of Indian Muslims under the Hindutva government led by Narendra Modi.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the seminar titled “Combatting Islamophobia” was organized by the World Muslim Congress (WMC) and the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR).
The event brought together human rights activists, international law experts, and academicians to discuss the growing concern of Islamophobia and its impact on Indian Muslims. Those who attended and addressed the seminar included Dr. Haci Ali Acikgul Vice Chairperson Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Marry Scully Human Rights Defender from USA, Robert Fantina writer and journalist from Canada, Dr. Khurram Iqbal Associate Professor National Defense University Islamabad, Tazeem Hassan of Justice for peace Canada. The event was moderated by Altaf Hussain Wani, Permanent Representative of the WMC to UN. Beside activists from different civil society groups, ten representatives of different permanent missions including, Australia, Protugal, USA, Greece, India, Azadbijhan, Maldives and Malaysia attended the session.
The speakers said that Islamophobia has taken most lethal form in Modi-ruled India where Muslims, who constitute more than 20 percent of the total population, have been turned into a persecuted minority. “Muslims in India are an increasingly marginalized population, who have faced decades of discrimination”, the speakers said, adding that the discrimination against this marginalized community has rose to alarming levels under the BJP’s authoritarian rule. They highlighted the alarming rise of Islamophobic rhetoric and actions, particularly during the recent Indian elections, where Muslims were targeted through divisive and discriminatory policies. They observed that rising tides of communalism, hate and xenophobia continue to haunt the Indian Muslims who have been reduced to third class citizens in their own country.
The panelists noted that Islamophobia has become a systematic anti-Muslim rhetoric propagated through media campaigns, leading to a pandemic of hate and negative stereotyping against Muslims. They emphasized that this has resulted in Muslims living in fear of retaliatory attacks and discrimination, with their religious identity being constantly targeted.
They deplored that anti-Muslim sentiments have heightened under the leadership of PM Modi, which has pursued a Hindu nationalist agenda since elected to power in 2014.
The seminar concluded with a call to action to promote a world where diversity and human rights are respected, and to combat Islamophobia in all its forms. K
