Skip to main content

I-Day in US: Indian Muslim diaspora march in tribute to legacy of freedom fighters

IAMC joins Indian Independence Day parade in New Jersey; celebrates alongside fellow Indian Americans: An Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) note: 

***
Members of the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) participated in an annual Indian Independence Day parade in Edison, New Jersey alongside fellow Indian Americans of diverse backgrounds.
Dressed in traditional clothing and waving several Indian flags, members from IAMC’s New Jersey chapter - including children and families - joined the NJ diaspora community in celebration of India’s 76th year of independence. IAMC members also marched in tribute to the rich legacy of India's 200 million Muslims, who played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle and continue to contribute to Indian culture, entertainment, society and defense of democracy.
IAMC was introduced by the parade’s MCs as an advocacy group “guided by a passionate commitment to justice, civil rights, and harmony,” and members were invited onto the stage for a photo opportunity. Other Indian diaspora groups also joined the parade, including Indian Christians, Dalits, and members of Hindus for Human Rights.
The parade was organized by the Indian Business Association, which this year took precautions to avoid divisive symbolism and maintain harmony throughout the event after a bulldozer, representing the demolition of Muslim-owned homes in India, was included in last year’s parade.
“Last year, we saw this same event divided by hateful imagery,” said Tazeem Ansari, a member of IAMC’s NJ chapter. “This year, we joined the parade to pay tribute to the real values of India: peace, tolerance, and love for the diversity that makes the nation so beautiful.”
“Our heartfelt thanks goes out to Mayor John McCormac and the police departments of Edison IAMC joins Indian Independence Day parade in New Jersey; celebrates alongside fellow Indian Americans
Members of the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) participated in an annual Indian Independence Day parade in Edison, New Jersey alongside fellow Indian Americans of diverse backgrounds.
Dressed in traditional clothing and waving several Indian flags, members from IAMC’s New Jersey chapter - including children and families - joined the NJ diaspora community in celebration of India’s 76th year of independence. IAMC members also marched in tribute to the rich legacy of India's 200 million Muslims, who played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle and continue to contribute to Indian culture, entertainment, society and defense of democracy.
IAMC was introduced by the parade’s MCs as an advocacy group “guided by a passionate commitment to justice, civil rights, and harmony,” and members were invited onto the stage for a photo opportunity. Other Indian diaspora groups also joined the parade, including Indian Christians, Dalits, and members of Hindus for Human Rights.
The parade was organized by the Indian Business Association, which this year took precautions to avoid divisive symbolism and maintain harmony throughout the event after a bulldozer, representing the demolition of Muslim-owned homes in India, was included in last year’s parade.
“Last year, we saw this same event divided by hateful imagery,” said Tazeem Ansari, a member of IAMC’s NJ chapter. “This year, we joined the parade to pay tribute to the real values of India: peace, tolerance, and love for the diversity that makes the nation so beautiful.”
“Our heartfelt thanks goes out to Mayor John McCormac and the police departments of Edison and Woodbridge for listening to their communities and ensuring that the parade remained a safe space for all,” Ansari added. “We also appreciate the support we received from spectators of the parade.”
“We’re far from deterred by the efforts of certain people, both in India and in the US, who are trying to erase the rich legacy of Indian Muslims and other minorities. We’re proud of who we are. We’re not going anywhere,” said Mohammed Jawad, a New Jersey resident and President of IAMC National. Woodbridge for listening to their communities and ensuring that the parade remained a safe space for all,” Ansari added. “We also appreciate the support we received from spectators of the parade.”
“We’re far from deterred by the efforts of certain people, both in India and in the US, who are trying to erase the rich legacy of Indian Muslims and other minorities. We’re proud of who we are. We’re not going anywhere,” said Mohammed Jawad, a New Jersey resident and President of IAMC National.

Comments

TRENDING

Wave of disappearances sparks human rights fears for activists in Delhi

By Harsh Thakor*  A philosophy student from Zakir Hussain College, Delhi University, and an activist associated with Nazariya magazine, Rudra, has been reported missing since the morning of July 19, 2025. This disappearance adds to a growing concern among human rights advocates regarding the escalating number of detentions and disappearances of activists in Delhi.

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra  Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

‘Act of war on agriculture’: Aruna Rodrigues slams GM crop expansion and regulatory apathy

By Rosamma Thomas*  Expressing appreciation to the Union Agriculture Minister for inviting suggestions from farmers and concerned citizens on the sharp decline in cotton crop productivity, Aruna Rodrigues—lead petitioner in the Supreme Court case ongoing since 2005 that seeks a moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops—wrote to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 14, 2025, stating that conflicts of interest have infiltrated India’s regulatory system like a spreading cancer, including within the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan  Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

'Bengali Muslim migrant workers face crackdown in Gurgaon': Academic raises alarm

By A Representative   Political analyst and retired Delhi University professor Shamsul Islam has raised serious concerns over the ongoing targeting and detention of Muslim migrant workers from West Bengal in Gurgaon, Haryana. In a public statement, Islam described the situation as "brutal repression" and accused law enforcement agencies of detaining migrants arbitrarily under the pretext of verifying their citizenship.

Deaths in Chhattisgarh are not just numbers – they mark a deeper democratic crisis

By Sunil Kumar  For a while, I had withdrawn into a quieter life, seeking solace in nature. But the rising tide of state-sponsored violence and recurring conflict across India has compelled deeper reflection. The recent incidents of killings in central India—particularly in Chhattisgarh—are not isolated acts. They point to a larger and ongoing crisis that concerns the health of democracy and the treatment of marginalised communities.

Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria: An inspiring life from Colombia’s Amazonian valley

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  In the village of Héctor Ramírez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in Bogotá revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative   At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

India’s zero-emission, eco-friendly energy strategies have a long way to go, despite impressive progress

By N.S. Venkataraman*   The recent report released by OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2025 has predicted that by the year 2050, crude oil would replace coal as India’s key energy source. Clearly, OPEC expects that India’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy will continue to remain high in one form or another.