IAMC condemns removal of Muslim women’s hijabs by Arizona police after arresting protesters

Washington, D.C. (April 30, 2024) – The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), the largest advocacy organization representing diaspora Indian Muslims in the United States, has strongly condemned the reported removal of Muslim women’s headscarves, or hijabs, by Arizona State University (ASU) police after arresting them and other pro-Palestine protesters. 

A viral video on social media shows officers pulling a handcuffed woman’s hijab off her head. According to reports made to ABC15, four women had their hijabs removed by force. 

“This is a blatant violation of these women’s right to freedom of religion in all circumstances,” said IAMC Associate Media Director Safa Ahmed. “What ASU police did is unconstitutional as well as unconscionable, and it has added to the long list of hateful incidents faced by Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians on campuses nationwide.” 

IAMC further called for an investigation into all reported incidents of this nature.