Pakistani Embassy Meets Hindu American Delegation
Washington, D.C. (September 20, 2010) - The Pakistani Embassy in Washington, D.C., was the venue on September 14, 2010 as a delegation comprised of leaders of the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) met with Dr. Muhammad Syrus Qazi, Counsellor and Liaison Officer for the House of Representatives. The delegation conveyed sympathy on behalf of its Hindu American membership over the plight of Pakistani people affected by the catastrophic recent floods. A proposal was offered to send a team of Hindu American physicians, with experience delivering emergency and surgical care in the region, on an immediate basis to offer medical aid and supplies specifically to the people of the Sindh region in the country.
Representatives of the Hindu minority in Sindh province contacted HAF recently, and reported that they were severely affected by the floods and in acute need for aid. During their meeting with Dr. Qazi, the HAF delegation highlighted reports that the distribution of beef to Hindus in some of the camps set up for the displaced people raised hackles in the community there.
“The Pakistani Hindu Sindhi community requires unique dietary, psychological and rehabilitative needs,” said Arvind Chandrakantan, MD, Executive Council member of HAF. “We sincerely believe that a medical team from the Hindu American Foundation with its combined expertise in a variety of medical sub-specialities can evaluate, provide medical care for and help coordinate the future needs of this community.”
Presenting a copy of the latest edition of HAF's human rights report, "Hindus in South Asia and the Diaspora: a Survey of Human Rights 2009," the Foundation’s Human Rights Coordinator, Prof. Ramesh Rao listed four major concerns consistently raised in its annual report: the abduction and rape of young Hindu women/girls who might then be forcibly converted or married to Muslim men; blasphemy laws targeting minority religion members; the inclusion of religious identity in the passports issued by Pakistan; and bonded labor in Sindh province that mostly affected poor Hindus.
The discussion was frank and honest, Chadrakantan said, and the delegation expressed satisfaction with both the tone and tenor of the meeting. Dr. Qazi acknowledged the need for his government to immediately address the issues raised by the delegation.
“We felt Dr. Qazi was receptive to our concerns, and we are pleased to have had this dialogue,” remarked Dr. Rao. “But our initial step will only prove fruitful if met with positive changes in policy from Islamabad.”