By Staff Editor
(Trinidad Guardian) Two more Muslim organisations have raised concerns about Prime Minister Narendra Modi鈥檚 official visit to Trinidad and Tobago.
In a statement issued by its president, Mirza Ali-Mohammed, the Islamic Da鈥檞ah Movement yesterday called on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to raise the issue of Muslim discrimination in India when she meets with Modi, who arrives in this country today.
The group referenced a series of policies introduced under Modi鈥檚 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, which have drawn international criticism, including the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights previously described the law as 鈥渇undamentally discriminatory鈥 because it fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslim immigrants from neighbouring countries. The Islamic Da鈥檞ah Movement also cited statements by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which accused India of engaging in 鈥渟ystematic practices against Indian Muslims鈥 and fostering 鈥渁 growing spate of hatred and defamation of Islam.鈥
鈥淚ndia is home to some two hundred million Muslims. Since India鈥檚 independence, Muslims have often faced discrimination, prejudice, and violence, despite constitutional protections,鈥 the group said.
鈥淚f Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar addresses this burning issue of Muslim discrimination with PM Modi, she can earn the respect of the Muslim population of Trinidad and Tobago.鈥
Their concerns came one day after the Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association (ASJA) also urged Government to speak 鈥渇rankly and respectfully鈥 with Modi about religious freedom and the rights of minorities in India.
The Islamic Missionaries Guild has also strongly condemned Modi鈥檚 visit.
Imtiaz Mohammed, the president of the Islamic Missionaries Guild and Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Muslims of T&T, expressed disappointment with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
鈥淭oday, we denounce the actions of our Prime Minister for granting a state visit to Mr Narendra Modi and for awarding him Trinidad and Tobago鈥檚 highest national award.
鈥淗e has labelled Muslims as infiltrators and, according to many experts, has incited violence against them.鈥
Mohammed added that India鈥檚 main opposition party has also accused Modi of using divisive language that fosters Islamophobia.
鈥淗is visit to Trinidad and Tobago is not supported by the Muslim community here,鈥 he said.
He urged leaders to consult with various sectors of the national community before issuing invitations to international leaders.
Meanwhile, traffic restrictions have been placed in the capital city of Port-of-Spain for the official State visit of Modi.
The restrictions took effect from 10 pm yesterday and end at 10 pm on Friday, July 4.
On Tuesday, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Barry Padarath said several memoranda of understanding between T&T and India will be signed during Modi鈥檚 visit.
During an interview with Guardian Media, Padarath said intense preparations were ongoing for the high-profile visit, which will include discussions that can boost development between both countries.
鈥淲e can expect to hear more in the areas of ICT and technology, the area of medicine as it relates to pharmaceuticals, in particular, dialysis and cancer treatments. We can expect to hear more about trade and agriculture. There is also some technical support in terms of digitisation.鈥
Padarath explained that efforts are being made to ensure that the proposed partnerships in key areas will stand the test of time.
Asked about the mood ahead of the visit, Padarath replied in Hindi, 鈥渂ahut khubsurat,鈥 which in English means very beautiful.