U.S. Muslims Seek to Block Entry of Gujarat Massacre Figure

U.S. Muslims Seek to Block Entry of Gujarat Massacre Figure

http://www.cair-net.org http://www.aahoa.com/events/Narendra_Modi.asp http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/laws/majorlaw/intlrel.htm http://www.nhrc.nic.in/Gujarat.htm http://hrw.org/reports/2003/india0703/Gujarat-02.htm http://www.imc-usa.org http://www.coalitionagainstgenocide.org

Indian Official Accused of Complicity in Riots That Left 1,000+ Muslims Dead

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- A prominent national Islamic civil
rights and advocacy group today called on the Bush administration to block the
entry of an Indian official accused of complicity in the massacre of more than
1,000 Muslim civilians.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said
Narendra Modi, chief minister of India's state of Gujarat, is the "chief
guest" of the Asian American Hotel Owner Association (AAHOA) at its annual
convention next month in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

SEE: http://www.aahoa.com/events/Narendra_Modi.asp

CAIR is seeking to block Modi's entry based on a section (Sec. 604) of the
International Religious Freedom Act that makes any foreign official who has
engaged in "particularly severe violations of religious freedom" inadmissible
to the United States.

SEE: http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/laws/majorlaw/intlrel.htm

Following anti-Muslim riots in 2002, senior officials in Gujarat told
human rights activists that they had been directed by Modi to allow the
massacres to run their course. Modi allegedly called the riots "anticipated
Hindu reaction" and "a natural outpouring." (Christian Science Monitor,
7/23/04, 9/15/03)
India's National Human Rights Commission reported a "comprehensive failure
of the State to protect the Constitutional rights of the people of Gujarat."

SEE: http://www.nhrc.nic.in/Gujarat.htm

FOR BACKGROUND ON THE 2002 GUJARAT MASSACRES, GO TO:
http://hrw.org/reports/2003/india0703/Gujarat-02.htm

The Washington Post said, "Human rights investigators found that the anti-
Muslim violence had been encouraged and in some cases assisted by (Modi's)
government." (Washington Post, 4/19/04) A citizens panel, which included
retired Indian Supreme Court judges, said the anti-Muslim rioters had acted
"with the deliberate connivance and support" of the Gujarat state government.
(Washington Post, 12/16/02)
Modi is also a key proponent of the militant and exclusivist Hindutva
(Hindu-ness) philosophy "that aims to unite Hindus, and consolidate their
votes, largely around fear of Muslims." (New York Times, 12/12/02)
Those opposed to Modi's entry into the United States have formed a group,
the Coalition Against Genocide (CAG), to press for action by the AAHOA and by
U.S. government officials.

SEE: http://www.imc-usa.org/ and http://www.coalitionagainstgenocide.org/

"Our nation should not reward a man accused of complicity in the massacre
of civilians by granting him a visa or a place of honor at a convention," said
CAIR Board Member Parvez Ahmed. CAIR outlined its concerns in a letter to
Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom John Hanford.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the
understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower
American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual
understanding.
To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About

CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail:
ihooper [at] cair-net.org; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail:
rahmed [at] cair-net.org

NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a journalist's window to
the American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called ISLAM-INFONET,
receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim
positions on issues of importance to our society.
To SUBSCRIBE to or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to:
http://cair.biglist.com/islam-infonet/


SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations
Web Site: http://www.cair-net.org
http://www.aahoa.com/events/Narendra_Modi.asp
http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/laws/majorlaw/intlrel.htm
http://www.nhrc.nic.in/Gujarat.htm
http://hrw.org/reports/2003/india0703/Gujarat-02.htm
http://www.imc-usa.org http://www.coalitionagainstgenocide.org