Results for: Muslims

A new survey by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) reveals a disturbing rise in racism against Muslims in Europe, fueled by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and amplified by anti-Muslim rhetoric. The survey, based on interviews with thousands of Muslims across 13 European countries, highlights discrimination in various aspects of life, including employment, housing, and public spaces. The report also sheds light on the increasing antisemitic incidents in the UK, linking the rise to the ongoing conflict in the region.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei drew criticism from India after he compared the ‘sufferings’ of Indian Muslims to those in Gaza. The Indian government issued a statement condemning the remarks, urging Iran to examine its own record on minority treatment.

The Indian Parliament has established a joint committee to scrutinize the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The committee, led by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, will examine the proposed changes to the Waqf Act, including the inclusion of non-Muslim representation in Waqf bodies and the renaming of the law. The Bill has sparked controversy, with the opposition voicing concerns about its potential impact on Muslims.

A joint parliamentary committee (JPC) has been formed to examine the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which has sparked heated debate. The bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha, aims to address issues related to Waqf properties but has been met with strong opposition from several parties, who argue that its provisions target Muslims and undermine federalism. The JPC will comprise members from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and will scrutinize the bill’s proposed changes.

Asaduddin Owaisi, chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has emphasized the need for Muslims to draw inspiration from Rajputs in responding to derogatory remarks made against their community. Owaisi’s comments came in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s use of terms like ‘infiltrators’ while addressing the issue. He urged Muslims to learn from the Rajput community’s unified response to similar statements made by Union Minister Parshottam Rupala. Owaisi criticized the Prime Minister’s repeated use of the term ‘jihadi’ and questioned its meaning. He condemned Modi’s remarks on Muslim women giving birth to more children and threats to Hindu women’s ‘mangalsutra’ as divisive and hateful.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya has accused the previous Congress and Samajwadi Party governments of creating socio-economic imbalances in the country, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, by giving Muslims preferential treatment at the expense of Dalits, OBCs, and SC/ST communities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also criticized the Congress for its policy of “Musalmanon ka saath, Musalmanon ka vikas,” which, he says, has led to a depletion of resources for other communities.

Bikaner BJP Minority Morcha district chief Usman Ghani has been expelled from the party for six years for condemning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks at a rally in Rajasthan. Ghani had expressed disappointment at Modi’s suggestion that the Congress would “redistribute” wealth to Muslims if it came to power. He also claimed that the BJP was likely to lose several Lok Sabha seats in the state due to the remarks. The BJP expelled Ghani for “tarnishing” its image.

The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has summoned the Chief Secretary of the Karnataka government over the state’s categorisation of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota, which provides for “blanket reservation” to Muslims under Category II-B. NCBC Chairperson Hansraj Gangaram Ahir expressed concerns that this categorisation is leading to over-representation of Muslims in government positions and educational institutions, depriving other deserving OBC communities of their share. The Commission cited postgraduate medical admissions in Karnataka in 2021-22 and 2022-23 as evidence of this issue. Ahir also questioned the validity of the reports based on which the entire Muslim community had been declared backward in the state, as the state government has yet to provide a full report of a current survey that supports this classification.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of carrying out a campaign of hatred against the Muslim community. He warned that Modi would be solely responsible if riots broke out in the country in the future. Owaisi criticized Modi’s recent statement that the Congress would distribute the country’s wealth to Muslims if it came to power. He said that Modi was only trying to divert attention from real issues.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come under fire for using the term ‘infiltrators’ in reference to Muslims during an election campaign speech. The comments have added to tensions at a time when Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is defending its majority in parliament. Modi’s opponents have accused him of trying to divide Indians with his statements, while some Muslim leaders have expressed dismay. The comments have also highlighted the history of religious tensions in India, where Hindus are in the majority but Muslims make up a significant minority.