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 COUNCIL of INDIAN MUSLIMS (UK)
/ PRESS RELEASE
British Muslims Deplore Gujarat Chief Minister's Statement
London, 31 January, 2006: Council of Indian Muslims — UK (CIM) has condemned the statement of
the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narandra Modi as "outrageous", "highly contemptuous" and "Islamaphobic" in which he ridiculed Hijab wearing
Muslim women.
Speaking on rural sanitation, Modi, who had masterminded the genocide of at least 2,500 Muslims in Gujarat in 2002, has said, "There is one
community which insists on 'burqa' for their women in public. But to respond to nature's call, the same women are forced to go to jungles
in the absence of sanitary facilities at home..."
In a statement issued today CIM's Chairman Munaf Zeena said, "There is hardly any time when this man opens his mouth and does not spew venom
against Muslims. If Muslims or non-Muslims have to go to the jungle for the call of nature, this simply shows the poverty and lack of
facilities in the state for which he and his BJP party is responsible for because of its failure to make adequate provision for basic human
needs in the state of Gujarat. He should be ashamed of his mismanagement and poor performance and should not try to blame Muslims
for his own political failures."
Zeena added "Muslim women willingly follow Islamic beliefs and there is no compulsion in Islam as the individual is responsible for their
own actions. Modi's mis-representation and attack on Islamic beliefs is highly indicative of the efforts Modi and the BJP are making to
turn peace loving Hindus against Muslims. It serves as a warning to Muslims and the international community that another genocide against
Muslims in Gujarat is to be expected and on the way.
Zeena also said, "It is not only Muslim women who wear hijab, the majority of Indian women cover their heads and Modi has insulted all
Indian women and it is the women of Gujarat who should now come out against this male chauvinist and demand his resignation."
Mr Zeena also suggested that the UPA Government's must take serious note of Modi's antics "we hold the Prime Minister of India, Mr.
Manmohan Singh personally responsible and accountable for ensuring that the divide and rule policy of Modi is not allowed to continue.
The Prime Minister must make sure that Muslims are allowed the liberty to live as free and equal citizens and that the religious rights are,
and seen to be, upheld."
COUNCIL of INDIAN MUSLIMS (UK)
66c Cazenove Road, Stoke Newington, London N16 6AA UK Tel: 020 8806 1147 Fax: 020 8806 6859,
www.coim.org.uk , Email: info@coim.org.uk
For further information please contact Munaf Zeena on 07956335384 «
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