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 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism