New York: In a vibrant celebration of unity and diversity, ‘Muslims for Peace’ stood in solidarity with the India Day Parade, rejecting the call for a boycott. Their float, alongside those of Christians, Sikhs, and Hindus, was a powerful symbol of the event’s inclusive nature, embracing all faiths and cultures.
As they paraded along Madison Avenue, the participants of ‘Muslims for Peace’ carried a banner that bore a simple yet profound message: ‘Love for all, hatred for none.’ This peaceful sentiment resonated with the onlookers, inspiring a message of hope and unity in the face of diversity.
“Indian Muslims of North America,” another organisation, declared that they would be pulling out of the parade in opposition to the presence of a float that featured the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Also read – Udaipur stabbing case 15 year old student stabbed by classmate dies during treatment
Muslims for Peace’s involvement was overlooked in favour of a CNN news article that prominently featured the group’s head, Imtiaz Siamwalla, announcing the boycott.
Strangely, Muslims for Peace included Ahmadiyya community members who are also persecuted by Islam, despite Siamwalla being cited as claiming the Mandir float was a “symbol of bias against Muslims”.
The Indian American Muslim Council, which spearheaded the opposition to the Ayodhya float, attempted in vain to get it banned, denouncing its inclusion as “Muslim hate, bigotry.”
However, Ahmadiyyas are targets of Islamic prejudice and hatred in Pakistan.
For example, Amnesty International, which reported the murders of three people in an attack on the community last month, claims that they are persecuted and prohibited from ‘practising aspects of their faith under Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws.’ This persecution includes social discrimination, violence, and legal restrictions, making it a significant human rights issue.
In contrast, Ahmaddiyas are free to practice their religion in India.
In addition to the Mandir and Muslims for Peace floats, other tableaus honouring Guru Teg Bahadur and another from the National Association of Indian Christians in the USA joined the parade.
The International Organization of Bene Israel-USA, representing the Jews of India, and a group of Buddhists proclaiming ‘Om Shanti,’ marched in the parade, showcasing India’s religious diversity. Their participation highlighted the inclusive nature of the event, which welcomed all faiths and communities.
Men and women, in a cascade of colours, beat traditional drums from Maharashtra heralding the Ram Mandir float as people rushed spontaneously past barriers to greet it along the route.
The parade, which featured thousands of marchers and a large spectator base, wound its way down Madison Avenue in a vibrant display of colours.
For more updates Subscribe to Media Eye News
IANS
