Source: CAIR Press Release
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/25/2007) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has condemned a recent deadly bomb attack on an Indian mosque and is asking that religious minorities in that nation be protected.
In a letter to Ronen Sen, the Indian ambassador in Washington, D.C., CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed wrote:
"I hope that this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits. I am writing to you today to express CAIR's unequivocal condemnation for the recent bombings at the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, which claimed the lives of 11 people. We hope that this tragic incident will not jeopardize the longstanding Indian tradition of religious and ethnic pluralism.
"We earnestly hope that the Indian government is taking all steps necessary to ensure the safety of all minority houses of worship in India. In addition, the initial speculative reports about alleged perpetrators of this bombing are counterproductive as they can potentially further harm interfaith relations. It is our sincere hope that the Indian government will act swiftly to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice and take concrete steps towards improving interfaith relationships.
"You are well aware of the initial findings of the Prime Minister's High Level Committee, headed by Justice (retd.) Rajinder Sachar. The Sachar panel, which was looking into the 'social, economic and education status of the Muslim community in the country,' has concluded that the Indian Muslim community exhibits deficits and deprivations in all dimensions of economic, social and political development. India cannot leave behind its minority communities as it marches forward towards a future of unprecedented economic well being. The social responsibility of equality and justice for all people must accompany India's rise as an economic power.