On March 15, marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, youth activists in the southern Indian state of Kerala visited the homes of families affected by anti-Muslim violence and controversial legal cases. The visits were intended to express solidarity with the families and renew calls for justice.
Members of the Solidarity Youth Movement, the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Kerala, traveled to several parts of the state to meet families of individuals who were killed, imprisoned, or harassed because of their conversion to Islam or their Muslim identity.
Among those visited was the family of Kodinji Faisal. Faisal, 32, was a driver who converted to Islam while working in Saudi Arabia. He returned to his village in 2016, but was killed shortly afterward. Police later arrested 16 men allegedly linked to Hindutva organizations in connection with the murder.
The delegation also met the family of Yasir Tirur, whose former name was Ayyappan. Yasir, a goldsmith, had converted to Islam along with his family and was killed in 1998. Several people were initially convicted in the case, but were later acquitted by the Supreme Court.
The activists also met the family of Ashraf Pulpally, who was killed by a mob in Mangaluru last year, and visited the home of Zakariya, who has spent more than 16 years in prison without a conviction in connection with the 2008 Bengaluru blasts case.
Solidarity Youth Movement President Thoufeeq Mambad said the visits were meant to bring attention to voices that are often overlooked.
“Islamophobia should be recognized as a serious crime, and strict action must be taken against hate speech and discrimination,” he said.
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