American Imams Urged to Raise Awareness about Plight of India’s Muslims

IQNA – American khatibs (Islamic prayer leaders) and imams (Islamic religious leaders) have been urged to discuss the Indian government’s plan to open a temple on the grounds of the demolished Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, India’s state of Uttar Pradesh.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the United States’ largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, on Wednesday encouraged the preachers and religious leaders to raise awareness about the plight of Indian Muslims during their Friday khutbahs (sermons) for jummah (Friday congregational prayers.)

The Ram Temple, which was built on the grounds of the Babri Mosque, a historic mosque demolished by Hindu nationalists in 1992, is set to be inaugurated. A mosque was supposed to be built on the site as well, but the project has yet to begin construction.

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

“We encourage American Imams to give sermons on the Babri Mosque and the persecution and oppression faced by Indian Muslims this Friday. The destruction of India’s Islamic cultural heritage and the violence faced by Indian Muslims must be opposed both by our community and the nations of the world.”

Awad also called on American Imams to sign up for CAIR’s Imam mailing list. Subscribers to the list will receive regular alerts with updates about challenges facing the Muslim community and other information imams may find useful to develop ideas for khutbahs and provide guidance to congregations. These updates will begin to be sent out soon.

Source: Cair.com