Community rallies to inform American public about humanitarian crisis & deconsolidation of Indian democracy
WASHINGTON, DC—Kashmiri Americans, Foreign Policy Experts & Interfaith Activists will join together for a teach-in on September 26th, 2019 from 12pm until 3pm to educate Americans about the growing crisis in the state of Jammu & Kashmir in light of the decision by India’s ruling party to abrogate the country’s democratic constitution several weeks ago. Kashmir has been in a total communications blackout after its democratic institutions were abruptly shut down and tens of thousands of troops and paramilitary volunteers belonging to religious extremist groups were dispatched to Kashmir by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kashmir is India’s only non-Hindu majority state, where Muslims and Buddhists form the majority population. Kashmir has been divided between three nuclear powers: India, Pakistan and China for 72 years. It remains the oldest unresolved dispute brought to the United Nations Security Council. “The fact that Muslim, Jewish and Hindu leaders are coming together to discuss in detail the matter of Kashmir highlights both America’s diversity as well as our commitment to political pluralism both here and abroad,” says event co-organizer Hamza Khan.
Speakers include (being finalized):
Dr. Taseen Mir -- a Kashmiri American physician who recently returned from Jammu & Kashmir
Mr. Hamza Khan -- an analyst & political historian familiar with Kashmir
Rabbi Alana Suskin -- an interfaith activist twice ordained as a rabbi
Modertor: Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad -- American University Muslim Chaplain and President of the Minaret of Freedom Institute
Lunch will be served at noon with the speaking program to begin at 1:10pm and will end by 2:00pm, followed by Q&A. Members of the media are encouraged to arrive around or by 1:00pm for setup & are welcome to interview speakers and audience members. Anticipated attendance: 50 - 100.
What: Teach-In for Kashmir
Who: Interfaith Task Force for Kashmir
When: September 26, 2019 -- press should arrive around 1:00PM as speakers will begin promptly by 1:10pm
Where: School of International Service, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington DC
Twitter Hashtags: #Kashmir #KashmirCrisis
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This Interfaith Task Force for Kashmir was created in response to the growing humanitarian and civil rights crisis in Jammu & Kashmir. It is committed to help educate Americans about the challenges facing the Buddhist, Muslim, Pandit and Sikh citizens of Jammu & Kashmir in a non-partisan and compassionate fashion in accordance with India’s commitment to pluralism and democracy.
