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The Citizenship Amendment Act in Alignment with Islamic Values of Compassion
CAA Through the Lens of Islamic Mercy and Justice
By Prof. Jasim Mohammad
The Citizenship Amendment Act in the Context of Islamic Compassion and Global Brotherhood
– Prof Jasim Mohammad
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has been a subject of intense debate and scrutiny across the nation. The CAA was introduced with the intention of providing a pathway to Indian citizenship for persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries. It specifically aims to assist non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
The act does not apply to Indian citizens and does not alter the rights of any Indian citizen, irrespective of their religion, caste, creed, sect, ethnicity, or race.
There is a common misconception that the CAA threatens the secular fabric of India and discriminates against Muslims. However, the act does not affect the citizenship status of Indian Muslims or any other existing Indian citizen. It is a targeted measure to aid those who have faced religious persecution in their home countries and have sought refuge in India.
The CAA should be viewed in the broader context of humanitarian efforts. It seeks to remove legal barriers and provide a dignified life to refugees who have suffered for decades. By offering them citizenship, the act aims to integrate these individuals into the social and economic fabric of the country, allowing them to contribute positively to society.
The implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) can be seen as a positive step for humanity which aligns with the compassionate principles found in many faiths, including Islam. CAA has been a topic of much debate. However, when viewed through the lens of humanitarian values, it is evident that the act is a commendable step towards providing relief to those who have suffered persecution.
The CAA offers a pathway to citizenship for minorities from neighbouring countries, ensuring they have the opportunity to live with dignity and security.
Islam, a faith that emphasizes compassion and mercy, teaches its followers to assist those in distress, including refugees and asylum seekers.
The Quran and Hadith are replete with examples and injunctions that encourage Muslims to offer protection and support to those in need, regardless of their faith. Islam teaches the protection of the oppressed and support for those in distress. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Support your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one.” When asked how to support an oppressor, he replied, “By preventing him from oppressing others.” (Sahih Bukhari). In this spirit, Muslims are encouraged to understand the CAA’s provisions for persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries and to ensure that the act aligns with the principles of justice and compassion.
From an Islamic perspective, the principles of justice, compassion, and protection of the oppressed are paramount. The CAA, as stated by the Indian government, is a humanitarian gesture aimed at providing relief to persecuted minorities from neighbouring Islamic countries, and it does not affect the citizenship rights of Indian Muslims
The CAA’s intent to provide sanctuary to persecuted individuals resonates with these Islamic values. It embodies the spirit of global brotherhood and the idea that we must look beyond borders and religious distinctions to help our fellow human beings. members.
The CAA is based on the historical context of partition and the subsequent treatment of minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. These countries have Islam as their state religion, and the act aims to protect religious minorities who have faced persecution in these Islamic nations.
The act is a targeted measure to provide relief to specific religious minorities who have historically faced persecution in their home countries. It is not a general immigration policy but a special provision for those who have suffered due to their religious beliefs.
Muslims from these countries are not barred from applying for Indian citizenship. They can still apply under the standard naturalization process, which remains open to all individuals regardless of their religion.
Similar narrow-window legislations exist in other countries, like the Lautenberg-Specter Amendments in the United States, which provide preferential shelter to persecuted minorities from specific countries. The CAA follows a similar principle, focusing on religious minorities from neighbouring Islamic states. The CAA addresses religious persecution, not sectarian conflicts within Islam. While sects like Shias and Ahmadiyya’s may face discrimination, the act’s focus is on religious minorities in the context of the state religion of the neighbouring countries.
The political landscape surrounding the CAA has been tumultuous, with some politicians presenting the act in a manner that may provoke unrest. It is not uncommon for political narratives to be crafted in a way that serves the interests of those who present them. In the context of the CAA, some politicians portray the act in a negative light, potentially inciting protests or dissatisfaction among certain groups for their political gain. Muslims, and indeed all citizens, should exercise caution and not allow themselves to be swayed by interpretations that may not fully represent the truth. It is essential to read the act thoroughly, understand its implications, and consider the government’s clarifications that the CAA does not impact the citizenship of Indian Muslims.
It is important for Indian Muslims, as well as all citizens, to thoroughly understand the legislation. Islam emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and being well-informed, especially regarding matters that impact the community. The Quran teaches that humanity is one family and that the protection of the persecuted is a noble endeavour. The CAA’s objective to offer sanctuary to those in need resonates with these teachings. It is important for Indian Muslims to engage with the act’s provisions with an informed understanding, ensuring that their interpretations align with both the spirit of their faith and the secular ethos of the Indian Constitution.
It is beneficial for Indian Muslims to read and understand the CAA thoroughly. Doing so not only aligns with Islamic directives on seeking knowledge and protecting the oppressed but also enables them to engage in meaningful dialogue and contribute to the welfare of the broader society.
Author is Professor in Comparative Literature and Former Media Advisor of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. Email: profjasimmd@gmail.com
