Islamophobia is a disease that infects the entire society and must be rejected by every individual – SIO

A recent example is the incident in Ratnagiri, where extremists attempted to forcibly enter a mosque during Taraweeh prayers while chanting provocative slogans.

Mumbai- The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), Maharashtra South Zone, organized an Iftar gathering at Islam Gymkhana, Mumbai, to counter Islamophobia. Almost 50+ social activists, civil society members attended this iftaar gathering to combat Islamophobia. This initiative by SIO is a significant step toward addressing the rising anti-Muslim sentiments in Maharashtra and taking active measures against them.

With the increasing Islamophobia in the country, particularly in Maharashtra, incidents of hate crimes against Muslims have become alarmingly frequent. Some anti-social elements are deliberately orchestrating such activities as part of a larger conspiracy. In recent years, Maharashtra has witnessed several such incidents where an atmosphere of hatred was intentionally created to incite violence.

A recent example is the incident in Ratnagiri, where extremists attempted to forcibly enter a mosque during Taraweeh prayers while chanting provocative slogans. Such cases are being reported daily, with some even being led by political leaders who make anti-Islamic hate speeches, further fueling these activities.

March 15 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, recognizing the growing global issue of anti-Muslim sentiment. To mark this occasion, SIO Maharashtra organized the Iftar event, bringing together social and political activists to discuss practical measures to counter the rise of Islamophobia and hate crimes against Muslims.

Prominent human rights activist Nadeem Khan, who works on hate crime cases, explained how these hate-driven incidents are systematically executed across the country. He highlighted the ideology behind such actions and how the Muslim community often becomes its primary victim. He emphasized the need for strong legal interventions to curb such occurrences effectively.

Senior journalist and political analyst Dr. Saleem Khan stated that such activities cannot take place without political backing. He pointed out that several political leaders in Maharashtra openly make anti-Muslim statements, which play a crucial role in fostering an atmosphere of hate.

Professor Anand Teltumbde, a well-known human rights activist and author, shared his perspective on Islamophobia. He stressed the necessity of a united approach to tackle this issue. Teltumbde, who has written extensively on caste dynamics in India, noted that Islamophobia and anti-Muslim crimes have existed for a long time, but they have become more blatant since 2014. He lamented the lack of coordinated efforts to address the issue, emphasizing that a strong and sustainable collective strategy is essential to counter the rising wave of Islamophobia.

Speaking at the event, SIO Maharashtra South Zone President Simab Khan urged all justice-seeking political and social organizations to join forces in countering the growing atmosphere of hatred in Maharashtra. He reiterated SIO’s commitment to leading this initiative, aiming to prevent such hostility and contribute to building a peaceful, harmonious, and inclusive Maharashtra.

Courtesy : The Mooknayak

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