The Islam Gymkhana hosted an iftar gathering on Saturday evening to counter Islamophobia. Organised by the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), Maharashtra South Zone, the iftar gathering—held to break the dawn-to-dusk fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan—was attended by social activists and members of civil society. The SIO stated that the meeting was organised as part of its efforts to address rising anti-Muslim sentiments in Maharashtra.
The United Nations has designated March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, recognising the growing global issue of anti-Muslim sentiment. Islamophobia, a debated term, is used to describe an irrational fear of Islam among non-Muslims.
Islam Gymkhana hosted an iftar gathering |
Speakers at the event highlighted that with increasing Islamophobia, incidents of hate crimes against Muslims have become frequent in Maharashtra and across India. Citing last week's incident in Ratnagiri, where a mob attempted to forcibly enter a mosque during a festival, speakers argued that anti-social elements are deliberately orchestrating such activities as part of a larger conspiracy supported by political leaders. Human rights activist Nadeem Khan emphasised the need for strong legal interventions to curb such occurrences effectively.
Senior journalist and political analyst Dr. Saleem Khan pointed out that political leaders in Maharashtra openly make anti-Muslim statements, which play a crucial role in fostering an atmosphere of hate.
Professor Anand Teltumbde, a human rights activist and author, stressed the necessity of a united approach to tackle this issue. Teltumbde, who has written extensively on caste dynamics in India, noted that Islamophobia and anti-Muslim crimes have existed for a long time but have become more blatant since 2014. He highlighted the lack of coordinated efforts to address the issue, emphasising that a strong and sustainable collective strategy is essential to counter it.
Simab Khan, president of SIO's Maharashtra South Zone, urged justice-seeking political and social organisations to join forces in countering the growing atmosphere of hatred in Maharashtra.
