Secretary General of Iran’s World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought has issued a statement to call on Indian people and authorities to defend the rights of Muslims in the country amid the recent crisis on Islamic hijab for Indian Muslim women.

Hujjat-ul-Islam Hamid Shahriari, in his statement issued on Monday hailed the great Indian nation for its bright record of cultural and religious coexistence calling on the government, political and cultural authorities, elites and the media in the country to maintain the rights of Muslim community, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).
 
The cleric expressed regret over the “dark events in India” which has brought much concern for world Muslims stressing that India for long has been respected across the globe for its brilliant history of coexistence.
 
He noted that the peaceful country, which has made home to followers of different religions and micro image of a world in a country, should not turn into a hub of crisis and fruitless conflicts by a minority group.
 
He said,” Indian Muslims who have been popular for their kindness, friendship and pacifist views, the most industrious in defending their country and maintaining their religious traditions alongside their national traditions should be esteemed.”
 
Hujjat-ul-Islam Hamid Shahriari stressed that glory and advantage of India lies in tolerance and rational behavior of its nation, their respect for the rights of human beings and followers of all religions and denominations” adding,” Undoubtedly, enemies of India will not cope with this convergence and peaceful coexistence and make use of minor religious differences to spark conflict in the country.”
 
According to the senior Iranian cleric the only way to guarantee stability and honor of India is in maintaining the national interests and traditions in the country.
 
An Indian court has banned students in the southern state of Karnataka to wear religious garments in class, an issue that has sparked weeks of protest and violence across the state.