IMC-USA requests all communities to maintain peace after defacement of an Illinois Mosque with Hindu symbols and hate-graffiti
IMC-USA requests all communities to maintain peace after defacement of an Illinois Mosque with Hindu symbols and hate-graffiti
For immediate release:
Contact Person: M.K. Rahman
Phone: (516) 567-0783
E-mail: info@imc-usa.org
Washington D.C., May 1, 2003
The Indian Muslim Council – USA, an advocacy group working to promote values of pluralism and tolerance in American society, particular within the Indian Diaspora, called on all communities to maintain peace and understanding after the attack on an Islamic Center in Carbondale, Illinois on April 28th.
IMC-USA president, Dr. Shaik Ubaid, called on all communities to “not succumb to the divisive designs of mischievous culprits”.
“While exact details on the culprits are unclear at present, IMC would like to remind all communities, particularly those hailing from South Asia, to safeguard themselves against the rhetoric of hate-filled ideologies. We do hope that the case is solved satisfactorily to deter any other mischievous elements from committing such acts” he said.
According to media reports, the graffiti on the Islamic center doors has led some to believe that hardline American supporters of Hindutva – a supremacist and fascist ideology that calls for extermination of Muslims and Christians from India- might be behind the incident.
IMC-USA fears that ideologies such as Hindutva, which has been responsible for creating deep divisions in Indian society in the recent past, are seeking to bring their divisive and hate-filled agenda to American society. There has been a growing concern in the Indian Diaspora community in the US about the increased level of fundraising and recruitment activity in the US by the supporters of Hindutva-fascism who are busy recruiting young Americans through their websites and youth camps.
“Let us not allow acts of any mischievous elements to sour relations between peace-loving communities. It is essential that we continue building inter-faith and inter-community understanding to guard against the designs of those who carry out such hate-filled acts”, said Dr. Ubaid.
Indian Muslim Council-USA
President’s Office
265 Sunrise Highway
Suite 1-355
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
(516) 567-0783
http://www.imc-usa.org
IMC-USA
National Office
1717 K Street NW Suite 600 Washington D.C., 20036
Tel: (202) 349-3967
