Exclusion Of Dalit Muslims From A Mosque Meeting: Caste-Based Discrimination By A Kerala Mosque

Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy

July 13, 2023

IMSD Condemns Caste-Based Discrimination By A Kerala Mosque

Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD) is shocked by the decision  of a masjid committee in Kerala asking a Dalit Muslim to stay away from a general meeting on the ground that “traditionally your ancestors were prohibited from attending the general meeting” (https://sabrangindia.in/casteism-in-the-kerala-muslim-community-dpjc-strongly-objects/).

There is no concept of caste in the religion of Islam but evidently caste and caste-based discrimination remain part of the shameful reality of lived Islam in South Asia and elsewhere too.

We stand in solidarity with the Dalit Pasmanda Collective Justice Project (DPCJP) who have condemned such blatant discrimination by the ‘Puthoorpally Muslim Jamaath’ mosque in Changanassery, Kerala.

The DPJC has demanded that the Kerala government and police take “strong action against these hate-mongers who hold casteist/racist beliefs.” Else, “we will take action against them in our own manner.” We support the democratic right to peaceful protest.

In principle, IMSD is opposed to all forms of caste-based discrimination. In the context of Muslims it is also bad politics considering that the ruling-BJP is working overtime in their attempt to woo Pasmanda Muslims and Muslim women to the saffron camp.

We call upon all Muslim organisations and individuals to demand that the concerned mosque committee in Changanassery apologise to Dalit Muslims and end the discriminatory practice.

Signatories:

1.       A. J. Jawad, IMSD Co-convener, Advocate, Channai

2.       Akbar Shaikh, Farmer, Activist, Solapur

3.       Anjum Rajabali, Film Writer, Mumbai

4.       Arif Kapadia, IMSD, Business, Activist, Mumbra, Thane

5.       Arshad Alam, IMSD, Columnist, New Age Islam, Delhi

6.       Askari Zaidi, IMSD, Senior journalist, Delhi

7.       Aziz Lokhandwala, Businessman, Mumbai

8.       Feroze Mithiborwala, IMSD Co-convener, Mumbai

9.       Gauhar Raza, ANHAD, Scientist, Poet

10.     Jasbeer Mustafa, Scholar, Australia

11.     Javed Anand, IMSD, Convener, Mumbai

12.     Kasim Sait, IMSD, Businessman-philanthropist, Chennai

13.     Khadija Farooqui, IMSD, Gender Activist, Delhi

14.     Madhu Prasad, IMSD, Educationist, Delhi

15.     Mansoor Sardar, IMSD, Bhiwandi

16.     Masooma Ranalvi, IMSD, We Speak Out, Delhi

17.     Mohammed Imran, PIO, USA

18.     Muniza Khan, IMSD, Varanasi

19.     Nasreen Contractor, IMSD Co-convener,  Mumbai

20.     Nasreen Fazelbhoy, IMSD, Mumbai

21.     Nuruddin Naik, Businessman, Activist, Mumbra, Tnane

22.     Qutuib Jahan, NEEDA, Mumbai

23.     (Dr) Ram Puniyani , IMSD, Author, Activist, Mumbai

24.     Rashida Tapadar, Academic, Activist, Nagaland

25.     Riyaz Shaikh, Mumbai

26.     Sabah Khan, IMSD, Parcham, Mumbai

27.     Saleem Saboowala, Activist, Mumbai

28.     Shabana Mashraki, IMSD, Consultant, Mumbai

29.     Shabnam Hashmi, ANHAD

30.     Shama Zaidi, Documentary Film Maker, Mumbai

31.     Sheeba Aslam, Fehmi, IMSD, TV Commntator, Delhi       

32.     Sultan Shahin, Editor-in chief and publisher, New Age Islam, Delhi

33.     Teesta Setalvad, IMSD, CJP, Mumbai

34.       Zakia Soman, BMMA, Delhi

35.     (Dr) Zeenat Shaukatali, IMSD, Wisdom Foundation, Mumbai

36.     Zulekha Jabeen, IMSD, Activist, Delhi

 

URL:   https://newageislam.com/islam-politics/dalit-muslims-caste-discrimination-kerala-mosque/d/130203

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