varnam

This denial of American visa story is getting very interesting. As you know Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi was denied a visa to enter the United States.

"The United States is sending a subtle message by cancelling the visa of Narendra Modi. The message is that the US does not approve of the sectarian strife and communal violence in India," Kalim Kawaja, a leader of the Indian Muslim Council-USA, said.

"Frankly we did not expect such a move from the State Department. It was quite a surprise for us too. We welcome it and we are happy that the US has taken a clear stand on the communal issue," he said. [Modi visa: Muslim bodies hail US move]

But before everyone could rejoice, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, a senior Shia cleric and vice-president of the All India Muslim Personnel Law Board was detained at Chicago Airport, and later deported. According to the NDTV report,

The Section under, which the Shia cleric was deported is used on those who support terrorism.

It has probably been used since he is known to have organised a number of rallies criticizing America's attack on Iraq. [US denies entry to senior Shia cleric]

And then suddenly all the statements about America when visa was denied to Modi has become invalid.

Protests by the Lucknow Shias against the treatment meted out to Maulana Kalbe Sadiq by the US immigration authorities erupted on the streets when hundreds of Muslims raised anti-American slogans after the Friday prayers at Asafi Imambara.

The protests followed after Imam-e-Juma of the Asafi mosque, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad assailed the American government in the â??khutbaâ?? (sermon). Jawwad said that the denial of entry to Maulana Sadiq tantamounted to humiliating the entire Muslim community. [Shias protest US treatment to Sadiq]

We don't know if Kalim Kawaja welcomes this denial of the visa as well and thinks that the United States is sending the right signal by denying a visa to someone who hates America.

From varnam Archives: [March 26, 2003] Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari's visa rejected by Kuwait