Connect with us

Politics

USCIRF vice chair faces online backlash for recommendations on rights violations in India

Published

on

USCIRF vice chair faces online backlash for recommendations on rights violations in India


Pakistani American Dr Asif Mahmood attending a campaign rally during his bid for US Congress. — Dr Asif Mahmood’s Facebook page/File
Pakistani American Dr Asif Mahmood attending a campaign rally during his bid for US Congress. — Dr Asif Mahmood’s Facebook page/File

Vice Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Dr Asif Mahmood is being viciously trolled by the Indian lobby for exposing grave human rights violations by the so-called largest democracy of the world.

Dr Mahmood, a Pakistani American doctor who is the first Muslim and Asian serving at the prestigious USCIRF, along with other members, had recently submitted strong recommendations against India.

Since then, relentless character assassination attempts have been made against the only Pakistani American serving at the USCIRF. It’s basically a commission that serves as the eyes and ears of the White House, State Department and Congress.

On X, Manish Dixit levelled unfounded allegations against Dr Mahmood.

“So, when @USCIRF paints India bad as country of particular concern, it’s you, working as Pakistani handler who wage a narrative war against India. Since, they don’t dare to engage directly,” wrote Dixit without knowing anything about the character and stature of Dr Mahmood.

Another troll by “A Hindu”, tagged Dr Mahmood and called him, “This Pakistani m……….r.”

Ram went to another extreme by calling ‘’Mahmood was P..o.

In the annual report for the year 2026, the USCIRF had urged the Trump administration to designate India as a “country of particular concern”, or CPC, for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations, as defined by the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).

It had equally urged the US government to press India “to allow US government entities such as the USCIRF and the US Department of State to conduct in-country assessments of religious freedom conditions and impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities, such as India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for their responsibility and tolerance of severe violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals’ or entities’ assets and/or barring their entry into the United States”.

The USCIRF had also stressed to “link future US security assistance and bilateral trade policies with India to improvements in religious freedom; and enforce Section 6 of the Arms Export Control Act to halt arms sales to India based on continued acts of intimidation and harassment against US citizens and religious minorities”.

The commission had equally urged the US Congress to “reintroduce and pass the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024 to require the annual reporting of acts of transnational repression by the Indian government targeting religious minorities in the United States”.

The USCIRF had cited evidence that throughout 2025, Hindu extremists had instigated violence against Muslims and Christians with impunity. It had also mentioned how religious minorities were being attacked for refusing to convert to Hinduism.

Failed to defend India, a social media user “Water” opted for Islamophobia by alleging that, “Oh Blind USCIRF can’t see if Muslims are in the majority in a single area, they demolish other religion places”.

For those who spit venom against the Muslims, Dr Aisf has the following message.

“Misinformation is a weapon — and Muslims are its target. Islamophobia isn’t accidental. It is fuelled by deliberate disinformation designed to divide Shia and Sunni, isolate communities, and justify discrimination.… Muslims worldwide share one Prophet’s (PBUH) message — peace, not violence. Unity, not sectarianism. On #IslamophobiaDay in #Ramadan-reject the narrative.

Dr Mahmood hails from Kharian, Punjab, and also serves as a top pulmonologist in California. He is the only Pakistani American who contested for Congress in 2022 and secured the most votes for any Muslim American elected to Congress. Yet, failed to secure a seat.

The influential Democrat is a close confidante of former vice president Kamala Harris and rubs shoulders with the Clintons.

Since the United States and Israel have attacked Iran, Dr Mahmood is on a mission to reassure Muslim communities that their voices are heard and security is ensured.





Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Politics

Dubai offers departing passengers souvenirs, thanks amid regional tensions

Published

on

Dubai offers departing passengers souvenirs, thanks amid regional tensions


A passenger at Dubai International Airport holds a thank-you card, handed by the authorities, appreciating their patience over the past few days and expressing hope for a safe return. — Geo News
A passenger at Dubai International Airport holds a thank-you card, handed by the authorities, appreciating their patience over the past few days and expressing hope for a safe return. — Geo News

Dubai: Dubai has introduced a thoughtful gesture to express care and appreciation for travellers, offering departing passengers souvenir gifts and thank-you messages as regional tensions continue.

Dubai authorities said the initiative reflects gratitude for visitors’ patience and cooperation during a period of heightened security concerns, while reaffirming the emirate’s commitment to safety and well-being.

At Dubai Airports, passengers leaving the city are being handed small tokens of appreciation along with printed cards thanking them for their understanding and wishing them a safe journey home, while expressing hope to welcome them back soon.

Although no formal statement has been issued, the move appears aimed at maintaining traveller confidence and reinforcing Dubai’s image as a reliable global hub.

Airport operations have continued with some disruption despite the regional situation, supported by contingency planning and enhanced safety measures for residents and international travellers alike.





Source link

Continue Reading

Politics

Muslims celebrate Eid ul Fitr with joy, togetherness across the globe

Published

on

Muslims celebrate Eid ul Fitr with joy, togetherness across the globe


Muslims across the world are celebrating Eid ul Fitr with traditional zeal and fervour, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Families and communities are coming together for prayers, feasts, and charitable giving, reflecting on a month of fasting, spiritual reflection, and devotion. The celebrations are filled with joy, greetings of “Eid Mubarak,” and acts of kindness that highlight the essence of the festival.

Women react as they take a selfie after attending an Eid ul Fitr prayer to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan March 21, 2026. — Reuters
Women react as they take a selfie after attending an Eid ul Fitr prayer to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan March 21, 2026. — Reuters
Children greet each other on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kolkata, India, March 21, 2026. — Reuters
Children greet each other on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kolkata, India, March 21, 2026. — Reuters
Eight-year-old Ganga, whose family moved to Karachi from Pakistans southeastern desert area of Tharparkar to look for work, waits for customers while selling balloons, as Muslims attend Eid ul Fitr prayers to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, outside a mosque in Karachi, Pakistan, March 21, 2026. — Reuters
Eight-year-old Ganga, whose family moved to Karachi from Pakistan’s southeastern desert area of Tharparkar to look for work, waits for customers while selling balloons, as Muslims attend Eid ul Fitr prayers to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, outside a mosque in Karachi, Pakistan, March 21, 2026. — Reuters
Residents of the Fietas district in Johannesburg receive hot meals during a charity drive organised by the Muslim Ziaee Institute South Africa (ZISA) on the occasion of the Eid ul Fitr at the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, on March 21, 2026. — AFP
Residents of the Fietas district in Johannesburg receive hot meals during a charity drive organised by the Muslim Ziaee Institute South Africa (ZISA) on the occasion of the Eid ul Fitr at the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A volunteer from the Muslim Ziaee Institute South Africa (ZISA) prepares for a charity drive in the Fietas district in Johannesburg on the occasion of the Eid ul Fitr at the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A volunteer from the Muslim Ziaee Institute South Africa (ZISA) prepares for a charity drive in the Fietas district in Johannesburg on the occasion of the Eid ul Fitr at the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man sits along the seafront Corniche on the second day of Eid ul Fitr celebrations, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Doha on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man sits along the seafront Corniche on the second day of Eid ul Fitr celebrations, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Doha on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man has his photograph taken as he poses along the Corniche on the second day of Eid ul Fitr celebrations, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Doha on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man has his photograph taken as he poses along the Corniche on the second day of Eid ul Fitr celebrations, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Doha on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man distributes Eidi to children following Eid ul Fitr prayers, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a mosque in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man distributes Eidi to children following Eid ul Fitr prayers, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a mosque in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man sells ice cream at an amusement park on Eid ul Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the eastern Sadr City, suburb of Baghdad on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A man sells ice cream at an amusement park on Eid ul Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the eastern Sadr City, suburb of Baghdad on March 21, 2026. — AFP
A boy reacts while riding a horse at an amusement park on Eid ul Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the eastern Sadr City, suburb of Baghdad on March 21, 2026. — AFP
 A boy reacts while riding a horse at an amusement park on Eid ul Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the eastern Sadr City, suburb of Baghdad on March 21, 2026. — AFP
Muslim devotees eat food during Eid ul Fitr celebrations, which marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a mosque in Beijing on March 21, 2026. — AFP
Muslim devotees eat food during Eid ul Fitr celebrations, which marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a mosque in Beijing on March 21, 2026. — AFP
Iraqi women visit a grave at Wadi al-Salam Cemetery in Iraqs central holy city of Najaf to remember the deceased as well as victims of wars as they celebrate Eid ul Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, on March 21, 2026. — AFP
Iraqi women visit a grave at Wadi al-Salam Cemetery in Iraq’s central holy city of Najaf to remember the deceased as well as victims of wars as they celebrate Eid ul Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, on March 21, 2026. — AFP
Muslims attend Eid al-Fitr prayers to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan March 21, 2026. — Reuters
Muslims attend Eid al-Fitr prayers to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan March 21, 2026. — Reuters





Source link

Continue Reading

Politics

Qatar helicopter crashes after technical malfunction’: ministry

Published

on

Qatar helicopter crashes after technical malfunction’: ministry


The Qatari flag is seen at a park near Doha Corniche, in Doha, Qatar February 17, 2018. — Reuters
The Qatari flag is seen at a park near Doha Corniche, in Doha, Qatar February 17, 2018. — Reuters 

Rescuers were searching for the crew and passengers of a Qatari military helicopter that crashed in the Gulf state´s waters after a “technical malfunction”, the government said early Sunday.

“A Qatari helicopter had a technical malfunction during a routine duty, which led to its crash in the regional waters of the State,” Qatar’s defence ministry said in a statement posted to X. “Searching operation for its crew members and passengers is in progress.”

The interior ministry said that several specialised teams have been deployed.

Qatar has not specified where the helicopter was flying or the number of people on board.

While Qatar has been targeted by several strikes since the start of the Middle East war, no connection has been made between this chopper and the conflict triggered by US-Israeli attacks on Iran.





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending