Minorities Under Siege: Persecution, Suppression, and Systematic Violence

Detention of Badar Khan Suri: Allegations and Controversy

Who is Badar Khan Suri?

Badar Khan Suri is a researcher at Georgetown University, studying and teaching under a student visa. He is a postdoctoral fellow at the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and currently teaches a course on majoritarianism and minority rights in South Asia.

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Suri earned his PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia in 2020. His research focuses on religion, violence, and peace, particularly ethnic conflicts in West Asia and South Asia. He is working on a project addressing barriers to cooperation in religiously diverse societies. His work has taken him to conflict zones such as Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Palestine.

Suri is married to Mapheze Saleh, an American citizen of Palestinian descent. They met in 2011 in Gaza and married in Delhi in 2014 after geopolitical tensions prevented their planned wedding in Gaza.

Why Was Suri Detained?

Suri was detained outside his Virginia residence by federal agents, who stated that his visa had been revoked. Homeland Security alleges he has ties to Hamas, but no direct evidence has been provided. A statement reposted by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio deemed his actions grounds for deportation.

Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin claimed Suri spread Hamas propaganda and antisemitism on social media and has connections to a senior Hamas advisor.

Is Suri Being Targeted for His Wife’s Palestinian Heritage?

A petition for his release argues that Suri has no criminal record and is being targeted because his wife is of Palestinian descent. His attorney, Hasan Ahmad, claims the government suspects his wife of opposing U.S. policy on Israel. The petition also mentions online harassment and defamation against Suri and his wife for their pro-Palestinian stance.

Saleh, a former Al Jazeera journalist, has been accused of ties to Hamas. Her father, Ahamed Yousuf, was previously deputy foreign minister in the Hamas-led Gaza government but left after its term ended.

Georgetown University’s Response

Georgetown University stated that Suri was conducting doctoral research on peacebuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan. The university has no knowledge of illegal activity on his part and supports academic freedom.

Legal Status

Suri, married to a U.S. citizen, is awaiting an immigration court hearing. His lawyer maintains he is being targeted for his wife’s heritage. His case follows the controversial arrest of a Columbia University student involved in pro-Palestinian protests.

Minority Rights Group Accuses Bangladesh’s Interim Government of Failing to Protect Communities

Bangladesh’s largest minority rights organization has accused the country’s interim government of failing to protect religious and ethnic minorities from violence and harassment, a claim the government denies.

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council alleged that the administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is misusing state institutions to suppress minority communities. Yunus took charge after a student-led uprising last year ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5, ending her 15-year rule.

The council previously reported 2,010 cases of communal violence between August 4 and 20, but the government dismissed the claims, attributing most incidents to political tensions. Historically, minorities have been seen as supporters of Hasina’s Awami League party.

During a news conference, the council reported 174 more incidents of violence from August 21 to December 31, including 23 deaths and nine rapes. Other cases involved arson, vandalism, looting, and illegal property seizures. At least 15 minorities were allegedly arrested or tortured for defaming Islam.

Council leader Manindra Kumar Nath accused the government of weaponizing state institutions against minorities. He also called for the release of Hindu leader Chinmoy Das Prabhu, who he claimed was being denied bail in a sedition case. The government insists those charged face legal accusations, not religious persecution.

Ongoing Persecution of Religious Minorities in Pakistan

Pakistan Minister Acknowledges Violence Against Minorities

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted that minorities face targeted violence under the guise of religion. Speaking in the National Assembly, he condemned the killings of minorities, calling it a source of global embarrassment. Despite constitutional protections, religious minorities remain unsafe, often targeted due to personal vendettas. Even smaller Muslim sects face persecution, prompting Asif to urge the government to pass a resolution for their protection. Reports from HRCP and Human Rights Watch highlight forced conversions, abductions, and attacks on religious sites affecting Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and the Ahmadiyya community. Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are frequently misused, leading to violence and social ostracization.

Persecution, Blasphemy, and Human Rights Violations: The Ongoing Struggles of Religious Minorities in Pakistan

On March 12, a congressional briefing at Raban House highlighted the persecution of Hindu and Christian minorities in Pakistan, focusing on forced conversions and trafficking. Organized by Hindu Action, the event featured U.S. congressional representatives and former cricketer Danish Kaneria, who shared his experiences of discrimination. A similar briefing on Bangladesh is scheduled for March 25.

At the UNHRC session in Geneva on March 11, advocates condemned Pakistan’s worsening human rights record. MEP Charlie Weimers called blasphemy laws “weapons of terror,” while Jubilee Campaign’s Joseph Janssen urged global intervention, including sanctions and independent investigations. Pakistan ranks eighth on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List for Christian persecution.

In Jaranwala, Punjab, mobs torched churches and homes over blasphemy accusations against Christians, destroying the Salvation Army and Saint Paul Catholic churches. Authorities arrested over 100 people, but rights groups condemned the ongoing misuse of blasphemy laws, which have led to over 2,000 accusations and 88 deaths since 1987.

Experts also raised concerns over escalating violence against Ahmadis, citing extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests. Recent victims include two Ahmadis in Saad Ullah Pur (July 8, 2024) and the Bahawalpur Ahmadiyya leader (March 4, 2024). While Pakistan’s National Assembly calls for minority protections, real change requires reforming blasphemy laws. Ahead of Pakistan’s ICCPR review, experts demand structural changes to prevent further persecution.

These concerns have been formally raised with the Pakistani government, with experts offering assistance in addressing human rights violations.

Mehdi Hasan's Persistent Hinduphobia

A Legacy of Hate Towards Non-Muslims, Especially Hindus

Mehdi Hasan, widely criticized for his Hinduphobic views, gained notoriety for a 2009 video where he equated non-Muslims with "cattle" and likened homosexuality to "pedophilia." Despite an apology in 2019, his continued rhetoric suggests his biases remain intact.

Biased Journalism and Al Jazeera Affiliation

As a journalist affiliated with Al Jazeera, a network under Qatar’s autocratic regime, Hasan has been accused of promoting anti-Western and anti-Indian narratives. His debating tactics involve selective half-truths, omission of key details, and a refusal to engage with inconvenient facts.

Anti-India and Anti-Hindu Stance

Hasan has consistently targeted India and Hinduism, frequently likening Hindutva to white supremacy and fascism. He criticized Prime Minister Modi and the BJP, drawing flawed parallels with authoritarian leaders. He also attempted to whitewash Islamist violence in Leicester and platformed anti-India activists.

Declining Influence

Hasan's biased coverage of the Hamas-Israel conflict, including his reluctance to call Hamas terrorists, contributed to MSNBC's declining ratings. His show was ultimately canceled, raising questions about his credibility as a journalist.

Rana Ayyub’s Controversial Views on the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Criticism of India and Support for Gaza

Rana Ayyub, a senior Indian journalist, is known for her critical stance against the Indian government. However, what has raised concerns among many Indians is her strong support for Gaza during the ongoing war, while not acknowledging the suffering of Israelis. She has also criticized the Indian government for supporting Israel.

Rana Ayyub’s Tweets on Gaza

She tweeted that 3,195 children in Gaza were killed in the last three weeks, surpassing annual child deaths in conflict zones since 2019. While such loss of innocent lives is tragic, her stance appears sympathetic to Hamas terrorists, who used hospitals as shelters, knowing Israel would bomb them.

She expressed solidarity with journalists covering the war, especially those in Gaza. She shared a tweet from an Al Jazeera correspondent describing the deadly situation for reporters.

Ayyub shared a post from a BBC correspondent detailing terrifying blasts in Khan Younis. However, instead of condemning the terrorist elements in Gaza, she seems more focused on portraying the region as a victim.

She shared an NBC News post questioning whether Israel’s blockade of food, fuel, water, and electricity in Gaza was a war crime. According to her, Israel's actions in retaliation are unacceptable, ignoring the context of self-defense.

By sharing a picture of Gaza’s devastation, she attempts to portray the suffering, while failing to acknowledge Israel’s right to defend itself.

No Support for Israel

Ayyub has not posted a single tweet in support of Israel. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing many civilians, yet she remained silent on their suffering. Instead, she wrote an article questioning why right-wing nationalists in India support Israel, indirectly justifying the Hamas attack and criticizing those who stand with Israel.

She also referenced the 9/11 attacks, stating that Indian media does not acknowledge Islamic terror. Her stance has led many to believe that she openly supports terrorist groups like Hamas and Kashmiri separatists.

The Uighur Crisis in China

Systematic Suppression and Allegations of Genocide

In 2018, the United Nations reported that at least a million Uighurs had been detained in "counter-extremism centres" in China’s Xinjiang province, while an additional two million were placed in “re-education camps” for political indoctrination. Human rights organizations and the U.S. later classified these actions as genocide and crimes against humanity, though China denies the allegations, claiming its policies combat extremism. Leaked documents suggest a deliberate effort to imprison Uighurs and suppress their cultural identity.

Who Are the Uighurs?

The Uighurs are a predominantly Muslim ethnic group native to Xinjiang, historically influenced by the Karakhanid dynasty. With an estimated 12 million Uighurs in China, they speak a Turkic language and share a distinct cultural identity. Xinjiang, meaning “new frontier” in Chinese, has long been a region of migration and cultural exchange. Attempts at independence in 1933 and 1944 were short-lived before the region was annexed by Communist China in 1949.

Allegations Against China

The U.S., UK, Canada, and other nations have accused China of genocide, citing mass detentions, forced sterilizations, child separations, and cultural erasure. Reports estimate over a million Uighurs detained in high-security camps with harsh conditions, including torture and abuse. Leaked documents, such as the Xinjiang Police Files, confirm large-scale suppression efforts. China maintains its stance that these policies are necessary for security and economic development.

The Pattern of UK Grooming Gangs: A Disturbing Reality

Systematic Abuse by Men of Pakistani Origin in England and Wales

Reports indicate that men of Pakistani origin in England and Wales are up to four times more likely to be involved in child sex grooming offenses than the general population. High-profile cases in Rochdale, Rotherham, and Telford have revealed a pattern of systematic abuse, deeply influenced by misogynistic and tribal customs from Pakistan.

Many perpetrators trace their roots to Mirpur, a region with cultural links to Punjab, where honor-based traditions and distorted morality contribute to a culture that devalues women. The normalization of sexual slavery and the belief that non-Muslim Caucasian girls have lower "honor" have fueled these crimes.

Despite overwhelming evidence, authorities overlooked these offenses for years, often due to fears of racial tensions. Grooming gangs operated through networks of taxis and takeaways, targeting vulnerable girls with luxury gifts, drugs, and the illusion of romance before subjecting them to sexual exploitation. Survivors have recounted horrific abuse, including kidnapping, drug addiction, and even murder, as seen in the case of Lucy Lowe.

Public outrage continues over institutional failures that allowed these crimes to persist. A stronger response from both British authorities and the Pakistani community is essential to prevent further atrocities and bring justice to victims.

Conclusion

The cases presented in this article highlight the ongoing persecution, suppression, and systematic violence faced by religious and ethnic minorities across different regions. From the controversial detention of Badar Khan Suri in the U.S. to the suppression of minorities in Bangladesh and Pakistan, these incidents underscore the complex interplay of politics, religion, and human rights.

The systematic targeting of vulnerable communities—whether through legal frameworks, state-backed suppression, or extremist violence—demonstrates a disturbing global pattern of discrimination. While some governments acknowledge these issues, meaningful policy changes remain scarce, leaving minority groups increasingly vulnerable to exploitation and violence.

As international human rights organizations and advocacy groups continue to raise awareness, the global community must take decisive action to ensure justice, protection, and equal rights for all persecuted minorities. Addressing these systemic issues requires a collective effort—one that prioritizes accountability, legal reforms, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

Source: First Post, News 18,  AP News, Genocide Watch, Christian Daily, Al jazeera, OHCHR, BBC News, The Spectator, India Today