Shia Law Board Appeals to Centre for Diplomatic Intervention to Free Detained Indians in Gulf
The All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) on Friday urged the Union government to take immediate diplomatic steps to secure the release and safe return of Indian Shia Muslims reportedly detained in several West Asian countries. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, AISPLB general secretary Maulana Yasoob Abbas described the issue as humanitarian in nature and called for urgent government intervention.
Mr. Abbas stated that the Board had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting the Centre to engage diplomatically with the governments of the concerned countries and ensure the safety and legal rights of the detained Indian citizens. 'We have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to treat this as a serious humanitarian issue. These Indian citizens deserve protection, justice and every possible diplomatic effort for their safe release and return to India,' he said, while sharing the names of 11 Indians detained in several Gulf countries.
The memorandum noted that several Indian Shia Muslims had reportedly been detained in countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE, allegedly because of their religious beliefs. According to the Board, many had travelled abroad only in search of employment and a better future. 'The Ministry of External Affairs and Indian embassies must immediately engage with the authorities of the concerned countries to ensure the detainees receive fair treatment, legal assistance and are repatriated without unnecessary delay,' Mr. Abbas said.
Expressing confidence in the Government of India, the AISPLB representative added: 'We have full faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's foreign policy. We believe the government will make every effort to protect the interests, dignity and fundamental rights of Indian citizens facing this difficult situation.'
The AISPLB released a list of 11 Indian nationals reportedly detained in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. The Board urged the Centre to initiate immediate diplomatic dialogue with the respective governments and ensure the safe and early return of the detainees to India.
