The American Muslims Network said it was deeply painful and disturbing that Muslims are being brutally attacked and arbitrarily detained for a peaceful campaign
NEW DELHI — Condemning the police brutality and arbitrary arrest of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh for displaying “I Love Muhammad” posters, a US-based Muslim organisation has expressed grave concern over a “blatant violation of human rights”.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Dr M. Qutbuddin of the American Muslims Network (AMN) said it was deeply painful and disturbing that Muslims are being brutally attacked and arbitrarily detained for a peaceful campaign expressing their love for Prophet Muhammad.
The organisation voiced serious concern over what it described as an “anti–‘I Love Prophet Muhammad’ campaign” emerging in parts of India. “People are being tortured, booked under false charges, and jailed simply for wearing T-shirts or putting up posters that say ‘I Love Prophet Muhammad,’” the statement read.
The group emphasised that such actions go against the spirit of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and expression. “Over two billion Muslims around the world love the Prophet more than their own lives and those of their loved ones,” it added.
Drawing a comparison, the statement noted that when Hindus say ‘Jai Shri Ram’ or ‘Jai Krishna,’ Muslims do not object as they respect other faiths. “We urge that this humiliation and insult to our Prophet must stop immediately. Those arrested should be released without delay,” the statement said.
The organisation said by reminding that India, known as a cradle of civilisations and religions, “cannot afford to descend into such moral degradation and communal polarisation.”
