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SearchToday in Islamophobia: Activist efforts pay off as a Muslim man recently facing deportation to China from Qatar will soon arrive in the US. An op-ed by Moustafa Bayoumi points out the difference in how we react when the perpetrator of an attack is not Muslim. Our recommended read of the day is by Krishnadev Calamur on how Modi’s Kashmir decision is yet another step in undoing Nehru’s vision of India. This, and more, below:
India
Modi’s Kashmir Decision Is the Latest Step in Undoing Nehru’s Vision | Recommended Read
Nehru’s three biggest ideas—a socialist economy based on centralized planning; a secular state where, unlike France, all faiths would be celebrated equally; and the promotion of a scientific temper, which resulted in the creation of world-class educational and research institutions—shaped India’s path for the next five decades. A fourth idea was pursued by Nehru, and its consequences are being felt even now: special status for his beloved Kashmir. read the complete article
India’s cancellation of Kashmir’s special status will have consequences
The decision by Narendra Modi’s recently re-elected government to remove the disputed Himalayan region’s special status under the constitution is no legal technicality, but a statement of intent and ideology. As the predominantly Hindu India’s only Muslim majority state, adherents of the country’s secular tradition of politics have long seen Kashmir’s continuing inclusion within the vast democracy as evidence that all faiths can thrive together. This contrasts India’s immense religious diversity with neighbouring Pakistan’s strong Muslim identity. read the complete article
In Kashmir Move, Critics Say, Modi Is Trying to Make India a Hindu Nation
While Mr. Modi’s decision was celebrated by Indians across a broad range of political persuasions, it was especially celebrated by those on the Hindu nationalist right wing. They have never been comfortable with a majority-Muslim state inside India, as revealed by a mission statement of the R.S.S., a right-wing Hindu group closely allied with Mr. Modi’s political party. “The State of Jammu & Kashmir, with its oppressive Muslim-majority character, has been a headache for our country ever since independence,” the R.S.S. says. read the complete article
United States
Sanders, Castro to attend Muslim-led presidential forum in Texas
The presidential forum, which will include moderated one-on-one sessions with the candidates, will take place Aug. 31 at the Islamic Society of North America’s annual convention in Houston. Known as ISNACON, the gathering is expected to draw about 30,000 attendees from around the country. read the complete article
Op-ed | How Ilhan Omar symbolises the struggle of black American Muslims
Conversations are taking place all over the country this week about how white supremacist ideologies inspired the shooters (for example, the El Paso shooter posted a manifesto to his social media accounts characterising Latinx immigration as "an invasion" ), and how such beliefs are being perpetrated and inflamed by US President Donald Trump and Republican leaders. read the complete article
Op-ed | If the El Paso shooter had been Muslim ...
If the El Paso shooter had been a Muslim, the entire Muslim American community would be blamed for the actions of this one person. If the El Paso shooter had been a Muslim, the president would be lobbing accusations such as “Islam hates us” in the direction of Muslims and not lecturing the public about video games. read the complete article
'Sesame Place Sallie’ filmed cursing at Muslim woman she allegedly told to ‘go back to where you came from’
A trip to the Sesame Place water park in Langhorne, Penn. got violent, with one swimsuit-clad woman caught on camera cursing at other guests before grabbing the phone of the woman filming her tirade. She is also accused of telling that guest, who is a Muslim woman, “go back to where you came from.” read the complete article
A Muslim Man Who Had Faced Deportation To China From Qatar Is Now Headed To The US
Activists scrambled to prevent Ablikim Yusuf's deportation after he posted a viral cellphone video online last week. His video was reshared by Uighur rights activists on Twitter and Facebook, generating thousands of retweets over the weekend. By Tuesday, news came that he had left Doha's Hamad International Airport and was "on his way to freedom." Yusuf is set to arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport on Tuesday at about 3 p.m local time. read the complete article
Anti-Muslim Messages Spray Painted on Concord Businesses
The hateful messages were spray painted in front of the International Market & Grill. The racist graffiti was also scribbled across the front of a Muslim-owned mini market and other places in the area, leaving customers and neighbors feeling outraged and rattled. Surveillance video from a nearby liquor store captured a woman in the act. A store employee later identified a woman outside as the person in the video. The woman was seen on Tuesday being detained by police. read the complete article
Op-ed | Why "Countering Violent Extremism" programs won't stop white supremacists
I know the violence of white supremacy intimately, and in the aftermath of the tragic shootings this weekend, and the revelation of the racist screed posted by the El Paso shooter, I join those who call for a stop to the normalization of racist rhetoric by the current administration. But I disagree with those who are calling for surveillance and "intervention" programs for white supremacists that are similar to those that target the Muslim community, known as countering violent extremism (CVE) programs. CVE is not simply racist because it disproportionately impacts Muslims - it was always intended to target Muslims using disproven methods under the guise of fighting “all types of violent extremism.” read the complete article
International
Uyghur students in Canada fear for their families in China — and their futures
Jordin (not their real name) is one of dozens of Uyghur international students who arrived in Canada in the last few years to attend postsecondary institutions. This newspaper has spoken with a number of Uyghur students across the country, removing their real names and any identifying information. (The students say the families of Uyghurs who speak to the press outside of China are at risk of imprisonment or other punishment.) read the complete article
United Kingdom
Police chiefs call on Boris Johnson to adopt widely recognised definition of Islamophobia
A letter seen by i from Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council, and Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, Britain’s top anti-terrorism officer, says they have been reassured by a group of MPs and peers that the definition would not hinder their work in fighting extremism. read the complete article