IMSD condemns caste-based discrimination by a Kerala mosque

Caste Muslim

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. 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

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