Newsletter (August 2024): Ram Temple Float Discredited, IAMC Retreat & HRRF Awards

September 1, 2024

Newsletter (August 2024): Ram Temple Float Discredited, IAMC Retreat & HRRF Awards

Assalamu alaykum!

August was a powerhouse month for IAMC! We struck a decisive blow against American Hindu supremacists by exposing their attempts to legitimize India’s Ram Temple—an anti-Muslim hate symbol erected on the ruins of the Babri Mosque—on an international stage. Our efforts resonated in the global media with dozens of mentions and quotes, while we strengthened ties with chapter representatives nationwide at our Annual Retreat in Chicago. To top it off, we celebrated journalistic excellence at our 3rd Annual HRRF Journalism Awards, honoring standout reporting on human rights and religious freedom in India.

SUMMARY:

IAMC led the charge in getting NYC elected officials to condemn a float glorifying the Ram Temple and, by extension, casting global criticism on American Hindu supremacist groups.
IAMC was mentioned in nearly 40 national and international media outlets in articles on the Ram Temple controversy – including the New York Times, CNN, ABC, and more
Our Executive Director Rasheed Ahmed wrote an editorial in the Chicago Sun Times, calling for interfaith solidarity to counter Hindu Supremacy.
We held our annual retreat in Chicago, IL and hosted the 3rd Annual Human Rights and Religious Freedom Journalism Awards.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the retreat as well as our achievements in detail.

IAMC TAKES ON THE INDIAN CONSULATE, VHPA OVER RAM TEMPLE FLOAT

The moment IAMC learned that the Indian consulate, in partnership with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) and other American Hindu supremacist groups, was planning to parade a Ram Temple float during an India Day parade on August 18 in New York City, we leaped into action.

Our intensive campaign along with a diverse interfaith coalition forced NYC Mayor Eric Adams to condemn the float at an official press conference. We got NYC council members and a member of the NY State Assembly to write a letter calling for the float to be canceled. It brought some of the most widely-followed national media outlets to our Press Conference, held along with our coalition partners on the steps of New York City Hall, to hear our message: that Hindu supremacy has no place in America.

It led to the parade’s only Muslim float pulling out, citing their disappointment over the Ram Temple float. We couldn’t have done it without our coalition of multiracial and multifaith partners, including Hindus for Human Rights, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Dalit Solidarity Forum, New York State Council of Churches, The Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America (FIACONA), Black Live Matter of Greater NY, Muslims for Progressive Values, Sikh Coalition, and Sadhana.

None of this would have been possible without the round-the-clock dedication of IAMC’s New Jersey chapter!

IAMC IN THE MEDIA

How did IAMC’s Media Team support the Ram Temple float campaign? We’ll let the numbers speak for themselves: our collective efforts with the Advocacy Department and New Jersey Chapter led to 38 press mentions and quotes in media outlets worldwide.

An exhaustive list of all our press mentions from August would make this newsletter too long to read – but here are some of the highlights:

New York Times: Float Planned for N.Y.C. India Day Parade Is Condemned as Anti-Muslim
CNN: Indian American Muslim group cancels parade participation amid float controversy
CBS News: India Day Parade delights thousands in NYC. Here’s more on a float that sparked controversy.
Reuters: Controversy erupts over Hindu temple float at New York’s India Day parade
NBC New York: Indian Independence Day parade in NYC is marred by controversial Ram temple float
AP News: A planned float in NYC’s India Day Parade is anti-Muslim and should be removed, opponents say
Sydney Morning Herald: ‘Anti-Muslim’: Outrage over temple float for India Day parade
Toronto Sun: A planned float in NYC’s India Day Parade is anti-Muslim and should be removed, opponents say
Middle East Eye: Rights groups slam inclusion of Ayodhya temple float in New York India parade

You can check out the rest of our press mentions here.

Don’t forget to check out IAMC Executive Director Rasheed Ahmed’s op-ed in the Chicago Sun Times, titled “Indian Independence Day celebrations should be free of Hindu nationalism.”

IAMC ANNUAL RETREAT

Thanks to the generosity and hard work of our Chicago chapter, our annual retreat was hosted in Harvey, Illinois. With 100 representatives from chapters nationwide, our attendees engaged in lively discussions, brainstorming sessions, and networking opportunities.

Attendees also got to know the IAMC National team better and heard directly from us about the work we’re doing. And of course, they were treated to some of the best food Chicago has to offer!

HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM JOURNALISM AWARDS

Our 3rd annual Human Rights and Religious Freedom Journalism Awards Ceremony was held at the end of the IAMC Retreat. It culminated in a showcase of the powerful reporting by brave Indian journalists this past year.

This year, we received over 200 submissions, which were judged by our international panel of judges. Winners received monetary prizes up to 50,000 INR, as a way for us as a community to support their courageous reporting in a time when journalism is more suppressed than ever before in India.

Don’t miss our livestream of this year’s awards ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVJjwMdE5c4

You can see learn more about this year’s winners and view their work here: https://hrrfjawards.com/awards/

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES

From ensuring Hindu supremacist groups don’t get away with parading hate symbols, to organizing a beautiful and impactful retreat, to celebrating Indian Independence Day with the respect for diversity that it deserves – our chapters are the beating heart of IAMC. Here’s what they’ve been up to.

Boston

Organized an Indian Muslim booth at the Indian Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) Independence Day, drawing nearly 5,000 people throughout the day. The Boston chapter proudly showcased the contributions of Indian Muslim freedom fighters and reformers, including women, and offered books on Indian Muslim history, handicrafts, scented candles, and calligraphy for sale. The positive response from the predominantly non-Muslim visitors, who showed great interest and commended our initiative, is a testament to our collective pride and inspiration.
Hosted an annual Independence Day commemoration event at IAMC Associate Director Amin Zama’s home. Close to 70 IAMC supporters, including multiple coalition partner organizations like BSAC, BSG, and JFA, attended and spoke. Speakers lauded the contribution of Muslims in India’s Independence struggle and emphasized hope for the Muslim ummah, considering the 2024 national election results and response at the IAGB event. Light entertainment, including patriotic songs, was sung over a sumptuous dinner.
Finalized plans for a Youth Summit on September 28. Marketing begins shortly.

Chicago

Worked around the clock to set up the accommodations for IAMC’s Annual Retreat, including preparing the venue, setting up sleeping areas for out-of-town guests, and cooking fresh food on-site for attendees

Florida

Created awareness sessions about Hindutva and its direct danger to the communities
Shared experiences about the IAMC retreat with the community members
⁠Discussed proactive advocacy efforts to counter Hindu supremacy in America
Planned for and worked on membership drive
Worked on setting up dates for a Florida Youth Summit

Michigan

Held an India Day celebration featuring prominent speakers and attendees, including State Senator Stephanie Chang; State Rep candidate Shadia Martini’ ⁠State Rep candidate Aisha Farooqi; ⁠Rasha Demashkeih, Wayne State University Board of Governors Candidate & current Port Huron Board of Education Member; Dr Syed Taj, past Canton Twp Trustees; Hirak Chanda Troy City Councilman; and ⁠Saima Khalil, Macomb County Judge candidate.

New Jersey

Played a crucial role in organizing for the Ram Temple float campaign, including by sending a digital truck calling out Hindu supremacy in NYC to the India Day parade location
Infused Edison’s 2024 parade with Indian Muslim pride, adding much-needed diversity to the celebration alongside other diaspora communities – Muslims of Indian origin from the Tri-State area marched through Edison, proudly holding an IAMC banner and waving Indian flags

Richmond

Participated in the IAMC Retreat, attended trainings and identified an action plan for coming year
Began planning for a Youth Summit, to be hosted in Richmond in the upcoming months

UPCOMING EVENTS: A RAFFLE, AN ISNA BOOTH, AND A BOOK TALK

Don’t miss what we’ve got in store for next month!

Book Talk with Human Rights Expert Knox Thames

Join us on September 18th for a powerful book talk with human rights advocate Knox Thames as he delves into his new book, “Ending Persecution: Charting the Path to Global Religious Freedom.” Discover how we can fight religious persecution worldwide and what the U.S. can do to ensure everyone’s right to practice their faith freely, especially in India. Don’t miss this crucial conversation!

You can register for the event here: https://iamc.com/events/book-talk-with-knox-thames/

We’ve got an ISNA booth – with a raffle

Our Dallas chapter will be educating people about the Indian Muslim cause at the 61st ISNA Convention in Texas this Labor Day weekend. Drop by Booth #1001 to check out our educational pamphlets, take home some promotional materials to share with friends, and to potentially win an iPad by entering our raffle!

Catch our Executive Director speaking on Indian Muslims at ISNA

Also at the ISNA Convention, our Executive Director Rasheed Ahmed will be speaking at a parallel session titled “Indian Muslims and Their Contemporary Challenges.” He will be joined by a number of other illustrious speakers, including: