Newsletter: Independence Day, Congressional Briefing, & more
As salamu alaykum,
August was a month full of impact, reflection, and celebration for IAMC. From hosting an event around urgent issues like voter suppression and illegal deportations, to uplifting stories of Indian Muslim history through our interns’ writing, to uniting communities nationwide in heartfelt Independence Day commemorations, our work continues to grow in reach and resonance.
BULLET POINT SUMMARY:
- IAMC hosted a Congressional Briefing on the shocking allegations of vote theft hitting the BJP, as well as inhumane and illegal deportations in Assam
- Published several stories written by our talented interns to the Indian Muslim Story
- Released statements and resources on a number of headline stories
- Our Maryland Chapter was issued a certificate by Congressman Johnny Olszewski, honoring and recognizing our work in promoting peace and social justice
- Our chapters held Indian Independence Day celebrations and events across the country
- And more!
Keep scrolling to learn more about each of these achievements in detail.
CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING: VOTER MANIPULATION AND ILLEGAL DEPORTATIONS
On August 20, IAMC hosted a Congressional Briefing featuring Congress Party spokesperson Pawan Khera and senior Supreme Court advocate Sanjay Hegde, who spoke on the shocking accusations of vote theft in Indian elections, as well as on the illegal deportations of Bengali-speaking Muslims from Assam.
Notably, Pawan Khera alleged that the ruling BJP is colluding with the Election Commission to carry out “organized deletion” of Muslims, Dalits, and other marginalized voters, while Sanjay Hegde declared that there is “no basis in law” for the Assam government’s illegal deportations of Muslims. You can watch the full briefing here.
WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY ON…
There were a number of shocking and saddening headlines this month, both in the US and India. Click the following links to read our statements on:
- The brutal attack of a 70-year-old Sikh man in California
- A disinformation report released by HinduPACT targeting IAMC and coalition partners
- The issue of voter manipulation in India’s elections
- Our statement in commemoration of Indian Independence Day 2025
In response to the Assam government’s ruthless campaign of demolitions and forced evictions targeting Bengali-origin Muslims, IAMC also called on our base to contact their representatives and tell them to take a stand against this campaign of ethnic cleansing. You can take action here.
THE INDIAN MUSLIM STORY (FT. OUR INTERNS AT WORK)
We’ve released a number of new articles for the Indian Muslim story, most of them courtesy of our talented interns. Check them out below:
- An inspiring portrait of Razia Sultana, the woman queen of Delhi
- Mirror pieces on the lives and bond of Mumtaz Mahal and Emperor Shah Jahan
- A dive into the open-minded values of Akbar, the Mughal king known for his commitment to pluralism
A celebration of Surayya Tyabji, who played a significant role in designing the Indian Tricolor as we know it today
CHAPTER UPDATES AND EVENTS
This month was full of celebration and reflection, with our chapters across the country holding heartfelt events to commemorate Indian Independence Day. Read all about these events below.
Boston
- The Boston Chapter of IAMC commemorated India’s 79th Independence Day with its annual celebration, held at the residence of Associate Director Amin Zama on Sunday, August 18, 2025. The event brought together nearly 70 attendees, including IAMC supporters, community leaders, and coalition partners, in a spirit of unity and reflection.
Buffalo
- IAMC Buffalo held its inaugural Independence Day Commemoration on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Ellicott Creek Park, Tonawanda, NY, at 5:00 pm. A short talk by community leaders, IAMC Chapter Execs, and Community Leaders, followed by the Indian National Anthem, echoed through the air.
Dallas
- IAMC Dallas hosted an Indian Independence Day & Cricket Tournament event – to resounding success! From the exciting cricket matches to the shared moments of community spirit and delicious food, it was a day filled with joy, connection, and pride.
Charlotte
- IAMC Charlotte held its inaugural Independence Day commemoration, hosting a community event for Hajj pilgrims with about 150 people in attendance. The gathering opened with a prayer, and midway through the program, the Indian national anthem was played, symbolizing unity and respect.
Maryland
- A certificate was issued by Congressman Johnny Olszewski to IAMC Maryland, honoring and recognizing our work in promoting peace and social justice.
- The chapter also held an Independence Day commemoration with about 100 people attending, including local politicians and representatives from various organizations. The group hosted a flag-raising event, accompanied by speeches and the national anthems of India and the USA being played.
Michigan
- IAMC Michigan, along with its Indian-based diaspora partners representing various minority communities of India, proudly celebrated Independence Day with around 140 guests, including various elected representatives and candidates running for various offices.
New Jersey
- The New Jersey Chapter participated in the New York City 2025 India Day parade to celebrate the 79th Indian Independence Day, in remembrance and celebration of Muslim freedom fighters who gave their lives for Indian independence.
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