U.S. Muslims Again Seek Visa Denial for Gujarat Massacre Figure

WASHINGTON, June 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
asking that an Indian official accused of complicity in the massacre of Muslim
civilians in that nation again be denied a visa to travel to the U.S.

Recent news reports indicate that supporters of Narendra Modi, chief minister
of India's state of Gujarat, hope to have him attend the upcoming second World
Gujarati Conference in Edison, N.J., on August 29-31, 2008.

SEE: Will Narendra Modi Get a Visa This Time?
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Will_Narendra_Modi_get_US_visa_this_time/articleshow/3137677.cms

SEE ALSO: Supporters Want Visa for Modi, US Non-Committal
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14696700

Following anti-Muslim riots in 2002 that left more than 1000 civilians dead,
senior officials in Gujarat said they had been directed by Modi to allow the
massacres to run their course. Modi allegedly called the riots "anticipated
Hindu reaction" and "a natural outpouring." Modi's administration has in the
past distributed a social studies textbook praising Adolf Hitler.

The Washington Post has reported: "Human rights investigators found that the
anti-Muslim violence had been encouraged and in some cases assisted by
[Modi's] government." (4/19/04) A citizens panel, which included retired
Indian Supreme Court judges, said the anti-Muslim rioters had acted "with the
deliberate connivance and support" of the Gujarat state government.
(Washington Post, 12/16/02)

In 2005, CAIR partnered with the Indian Muslim Council-USA and the Coalition
Against Genocide (CAG) to oppose Modi's visa request to travel to the U.S. to
speak at a convention in Florida. His request for a visa was denied.

In a letter to Secretary Rice, CAIR National Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed wrote
in part:

"If a visa application is made for Chief Minister Modi, we request that it be
denied on grounds similar to the Department of State's visa denial in early
2005. Specifically, we request that if Modi requests a visa he be ruled
inadmissible to the United States based on Section 604 of the International
Religious Freedom Act, which bars entry to any foreign official who has
engaged in 'particularly severe violations of religious freedom.'"

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding
of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American
Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR National Legislative Director Corey P. Saylor, 202-384-8857,
E-Mail: csaylor@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim
Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR
Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

CAIR National Legislative Director Corey P. Saylor, +1-202-384-8857,
csaylor@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
+1-202-488-8787, +1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; or CAIR Communications
Coordinator Amina Rubin, +1-202-488-8787, arubin@cair.com