IMC-USA organizes Lecture Tour of Human Rights Lawyers: Shafeeq Mahajir and Mukul Sinha in April/May 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 29, 2010
Indian Muslim Council-USA (IMC-USA – http://www.imc-usa.org/), an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India ‘s pluralist and tolerant ethos is organizing a US lecture tour of two noted Human Rights Lawyers from India: Shafeeq Rehman Mahajir and Mukul Sinha.
In the past several decades India has witnessed mass violence in its various forms including riots, massacres, pogroms and terror attacks (Nellie massacre; anti-Sikh massacres; Ayodhya riots; Bombay bomb blasts; Gujarat pogroms; Orissa riots; Mumbai terror attacks; etc. to quote few.) What is common is the relative impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of violence and the failure of the justice system in many cases. These lectures will examine the legal opportunities and challenges for the victims of mass violence and present the unique experiences of two of the most prominent Human Rights lawyers in India.
During April and May 2010, Mukul Sinha and Shafeeq Mahajir will be touring: Boston, MA; Edison, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Baltimore, MD; Washington, DC; Atlanta, GA; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; San Francisco, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Chicago, IL and Detroit, MI.
Shafeeq Rehman Mahajir, a prominent human rights lawyer, has more recently appeared on behalf of victims in a commission hearing into the police firings and human rights violations at Makkah Masjid in Hyderabad. A graduate of University of London and Osmania University, Mahajir has over 25 years of experience working in international institutions and has presented papers on issues of Wakfs (Endowments), Minority Rights in Educational and Employment Areas and has participated in seminars on matters such as the Sachar Committee Report, the Ranganath Mishra Commission Report, and has contributed to the proposed Communal Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill.
Mukul Sinha is a scientist turned lawyer and one of the founding members of the Jan Sangharsh Manch, a civil rights body that has several successful Public Interest Litigations to its credit in the Gujarat High Court. He unearthed crucial facts about the Godhra carnage and post-Godhra riots in the course of his cross examinations of witnesses. Mukul Sinha holds degrees in MSc (Physics) from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur; a PhD (Physics) from Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad and obtained the degree of LLB in 1988. Realizing the struggles of industrial workers in Gujarat, he was instrumental in the formation of the Gujarat Federation of Trade Unions.
IMC-USA commends all Indians engaged in the struggle for justice for the victims of violence and extols their sacrifice to keep India a pluralistic, secular society that accords its citizens equal access to justice and honors the Rule of Law.
Indian Muslim Council-USA is the largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the United States with 10 chapters across the nation.
CONTACT:
Dr. Hyder Khan
phone/fax: 1-800-839-7270
email: info@imc-usa.org
Tour Schedule:
Mukul Sinha
Boston: Sunday, April 11, 2010- 2 PM to 5 PM
Islamic Center of New England
74 Chase Drive, Sharon, MA 02067-2932
Pennsylvania: Saturday, April 17, 2010- 5 PM to 8 PM
Homewood Suites
12 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, PA 19355
Maryland: Sunday, April 18, 2010- 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
East Columbia Library
6600 Cradlerock Way Columbia, MD 21045
New Jersey: Saturday, April 24, 2010- 6 PM- 10 PM
Shezan Restaurant and Banquet Hall
1673 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820
Atlanta, GA: Saturday, May 1, 2010- 2 PM – 6 PM
Al-Farooq Masjid, Atlanta
442 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Florida: Sunday, May 2, 2010 Time: 10:30am – 1pm (Brunch will be served)
Mehfil Restaurant
8580 NW 44th Street, Lauderhill, Fl 33351, Ph: (954) 742-3370
California Bay Area: Saturday, May 8, 2010- 12 PM Noon
Chandni Restaurant
5748 Mowry School Rd, Newark, CA 94560
Shafeeq Mahajir
Boston, MA: Sunday, April 11, 2010- 2 PM to 5 PM
Islamic Center of New England
74 Chase Drive, Sharon, MA 02067-2932
Minnesota: Saturday, April 17, 2010- 6:30 PM
Islamic Center of MN (ICM)
1401 Gardena Avenue Northeast, Fridley, MN 55432
Chicago: Sunday, April 18, 2010- 3 PM – 6 PM
Islamic Community Center of Des Plaines
480 Potter Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Michigan: Saturday, April 24, 2010- 2 PM
Tawheed Center
29707 West 10 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336
