Religious Strife in India

The recent events in Ayodhya involving the destruction of the historic Babri Masjid (Dec. 7-9) signal the beginning of a wave of ethnic and religious unrest that must be stopped before it tears apart the fabric of Indian society. The violation of the sanctity of the 400-year-old mosque has threatened the religious freedom of the nearly 100 million Muslims who call India their home. Immediate steps must be taken by the Indian government to ensure the rights of Muslims to their lives, property, and places of worship, as specified in the 1949 Geneva Convention. Anything less than this will be a recipe for escalating hostilities and erode the democratic foundation of India.

Religious extremism should never be allowed to foster an environment where people of different religions become physically threatened because of their beliefs. The foundation on which India was based calls for democracy, religious tolerance and mutual understanding, a vision for which Gandhi and many others gave their lives. It is especially in times like these that Muslims and Hindus must actively and forcefully keep that vision alive, or face the consequences of unleashed extremism.

SHAHED AMANULLAH

South Asian Affairs Coordinator

Muslim Public Affairs Council

SALAM AL-MARAYATI

Director, Muslim Public Affairs Council

Los Angeles