ASJA Expresses Reservations Over Modi’s Visit

Introduction to the Visit

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association (ASJA) is expressing its “measured yet profound reservations” regarding the visit of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Trinidad and Tobago.

Modi is due to arrive here on Thursday at the invitation of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, following her victory in the general election on April 28.

Concerns Over Modi’s Legacy

In a statement, ASJA said while it respects the rights of sovereign countries to pursue diplomatic engagement, “we believe it is necessary to critically examine Mr. Modi’s political legacy, which includes the 2002 Gujarat riots, the discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act…”.

The Muslim organization said that Mod has “repeatedly employed divisive rhetoric” in referring to Muslims as “infiltrators in public addresses, thereby fueling Islamophobic sentiment and legitimizing anti-Muslim violence.

ASJA said that these actions, taken together, have raised significant concerns among human rights organizations, legal scholars, and interfaith communities regarding the erosion of pluralism and constitutional protections in India.

Call to Action

“ASJA therefore urges the public to approach this visit with thoughtful discernment and calls on the Muslim community to respond with principled composure, religious freedom, and human dignity through peaceful and constructive channels”.

Visit Schedule

The government has announced that non-essential public services and schools in Trinidad will close early on Wednesday to accommodate Modi’s visit.

On Thursday, he will pay a courtesy call on President Christine Kangaloo at the President’s House in St. Ann’s, where he is expected to be presented with this country’s highest award, the Order of the Republic of TT (ORTT).

He will later address an assembly of both Houses of Parliament and engage in an exchange of memorandum of understandings MOUs with the government, as well as attend a tree-planting ceremony.

Conclusion

The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Trinidad and Tobago has sparked concerns among the Muslim community, with the ASJA expressing reservations over his political legacy and calling for a thoughtful and principled response. As the visit approaches, it remains to be seen how the public will react and what implications this may have for the country.

FAQs

Q: Who is Prime Minister Narendra Modi?

A: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India, invited to visit Trinidad and Tobago by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Q: What are the concerns over Modi’s visit?

A: The ASJA has expressed concerns over Modi’s political legacy, including the 2002 Gujarat riots and the discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act, as well as his divisive rhetoric towards Muslims.

Q: What is the schedule for Modi’s visit?

A: Modi is due to arrive on Thursday and will pay a courtesy call on President Christine Kangaloo, address an assembly of both Houses of Parliament, and engage in an exchange of MOUs with the government, as well as attend a tree-planting ceremony.