IAMC Applauds Inclusion at Indian American Impact Summit, Deplores Disingenuous Attacks
Washington, D.C. (May 16-2024) – The Indian American Muslim Council is thrilled to have Associate Director of Media and Communications Safa Ahmed speak today at the Indian American Impact (IAI) Summit, the annual gala of one of the largest think tanks representing Indian American interests in government. IAMC also denies the disingenuous criticism of several domestic Hindu nationalist groups who allege that Ms. Ahmed’s participation, along with the participation of Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) Senior Policy Director Ria Chakrabarty, indicates an anti-Hindu agenda at the conference.
“Ms. Ahmed’s participation at IAI’s ‘Desi’s Decide’ conference, along with that of our closely valued ally Ria Chakrabarty, is a sign of progress and inclusivity in the world of Indian American public policy,” said IAMC Executive Director Rasheed Ahmed. “There could be nothing more productive for Hindu Americans and Muslim Americans alike.”
Criticism of Ms. Ahmed and Ms. Chakrabarty’s participation in the conference has come from Hindu America Foundation (HAF) and the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), who have lambasted IAMC and HfHR as groups who ‘attack’ Indian American politicians. HAF is the author of a failed lawsuit against IAMC and HfHR. The founders of CoHNA share numerous ties to the overseas wings of anti-Muslim Indian paramilitary organizations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America and the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh. It has used its policy platform to attack American critics of Hindu nationalism.
“We must oppose the dangerous conflation of the peaceful practice of Hinduism from violent, anti-Muslim Hindu nationalism. The disingenuous criticism of HAF and CoHNA is an attempt to silence all criticism of the Modi regime’s dangerous policies by disingenuously labeling it as anti-Hindu, or Hinduphobic,” said IAMC president Mohammed Jawad. “The presence of IAMC’s Safa Ahmed at ‘Desis Decide’ will help educate Indian American leaders about the dangers of Hindu nationalism and the strategies of interfaith solidarity, for years to come.”
