India allows great freedom for Muslims
Reader comment on item: Faces of American Islam[: Muslim Immigration]

Submitted by Uday Tate (United States), Aug 15, 2002 at 13:21

Hello Daniel and Khalid,

I read your article, "Faces of American Islam," and find it very insightful, interesting, and timely. However, there is one issue of disagreement that I wish to point out to you. In your article, you reported many reasons for Muslim immigration and one them being as follows:

"Anti-Islamism. Conversely, Islamists flee repression from countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, and India by moving to the land of the infidel, where they (ironically) find the freedom to express their views."

I do take an excpetion when you include India in the list of nations where Muslims face so-called repression. I am sure you will agree with me that India, with all its faults and follies, is a democracy. perhaps not as sophisticated and developed as USA, but still it is a democracy. If you study the Indian constituion, you will notice that Muslims in India are allowed to use Islamic laws as far as marrigage, divorce, property, death tax, etc. are concerned. Hindus, Christians, and the rest have to follow the laws of the land. Plus, Muslims are free to use whatever format and content of education they wish to impart on their young ones. They are even allowed to have "Muslim" universities. Add to that, many politicians, even Indian presidents in the past and present have been Muslims. I do not think any of the above is a remote possibility in USA. Not by a long shot.

As far as recent Hindu-Muslim riots are concerned, both communties are to blame. However, I suggest that you examine the pattern of past communal riots inIndia. According to several studies (Govt of NGO sponsored), most of these riots were perpetrated by Muslims on Hindus. Hindus by nature are a subdued and submissive people. In sum, Hindus repressing Muslims in India is a stretch.

On another matter, I have been browsing at Web sites of Muslim Student Association (MSA) chapters. I find many of them extremely anti-American (they have the right to opine). Importantly, it is a well-kown fact that many of these chapters of MSA routinely donate funds to many of the banned Islamic terrorist groups, e.g., Hamas, etc. I have shared this information with FBI and officials of universities where some of these MSAs are located.

Again, I enjoyed your article.

Uday Tate
Marshall University
West Virginia

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