Whether
it is the largest democracy of the world, India or the oldest democracy,
the United States, racism is exposing itself publicly with impunity in various forms.
The recent victim in the United States is a Muslim Pakistani family who
were denied a full membership of a club allegedly becuase of racist
letters by fellow club members to the administration that this Muslim
family will encourage more Muslim families to join the entirely club.
According to a detailed report by nhregister,com, " Kamran Farid, a native of Pakistan and a Muslim, has filed a lawsuit against the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club, claiming he was denied full membership because of his race, religion and country of origin.
The membership denial sparked a petition of protest that as of last week had been signed by 64 members of the prestigious club. It urged the board of governors to reconsider its decision..It is our belief that the decision to deny the Farids a regular membership was without a proper basis..We respectfully request that the board rescind its decision, allowing us and other members to write in support of the Farids, so that a fair and informed decision can be made.
However, some of the club members added comments to their signatures in support of the Muslim family as Dr. Michael Mollow wrote: “I challenge any club member who has not yet been introduced to the Farids, but has somehow formed an opinion, to meet them, talk with them, observe their family interactions,"
Farid has four children, ages 10, 8, 6 and 1. When reached at his second home in Florida — he also has a house in the Pine Orchard section of Branford — he said he and his family enjoyed a “provisional” membership at the club for two years before being denied regular, permanent membership in July 2015.
“My kids were all happy at the club and so was my wife,” he said. “I was too. It was a place to use the pool, to play golf, go boating and play tennis. My kids were in the sailing and tennis clubs. We all made friends there.” “It was very hurtful for me to have to tell my kids they couldn’t go there anymore, and why,” he added. “I’m just amazed it’s still going on in 2016.” During those two years of “provisional” membership, he said, “I never had an issue there. There were no complaints, nothing on my record.”
Thus he said it was “clear” he was denied permanent membership “because of my nationality and my religion." He charged the membership denial was the work of a small group “that controls the club. They don’t want to bring diversity into the club. They have zero minorities.” Farid also asserted he has seen “blatantly racist letters” that were sent to the board to oppose his membership.
"In the lawsuit, Nelson wrote that during the Farids’ provisional membership, some club members made derogatory and racially insensitive comments about the plaintiffs’ race, religion, color, national origin and/or ancestry, including that they were ‘Muslim and supported terrorism,’ that they would be practicing their religion on the club’s property; that Kara Farid and her three minor female children would be wearing hijabs (headscarves) to the club’s pool; and that if the club were to allow them to become regular members, they would propose more Muslims for membership.”
Nelson added during an interview from his law office: “My client really does believe the overwhelming majority of the members are good and nice people. This was the act of a small, vocal minority.”
"William Murray, the club’s attorney, said Farid’s allegations in the lawsuit are completely untrue. The reasons for him not being moved to full membership will come out. His claim it was based on his national origin or religion is completely ridiculous.”
It should be noted that not all victims of racism summon the courage to file a law suit or even protest against the prejudice and bigotry.
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According to a detailed report by nhregister,com, " Kamran Farid, a native of Pakistan and a Muslim, has filed a lawsuit against the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club, claiming he was denied full membership because of his race, religion and country of origin.
The membership denial sparked a petition of protest that as of last week had been signed by 64 members of the prestigious club. It urged the board of governors to reconsider its decision..It is our belief that the decision to deny the Farids a regular membership was without a proper basis..We respectfully request that the board rescind its decision, allowing us and other members to write in support of the Farids, so that a fair and informed decision can be made.
However, some of the club members added comments to their signatures in support of the Muslim family as Dr. Michael Mollow wrote: “I challenge any club member who has not yet been introduced to the Farids, but has somehow formed an opinion, to meet them, talk with them, observe their family interactions,"
Farid has four children, ages 10, 8, 6 and 1. When reached at his second home in Florida — he also has a house in the Pine Orchard section of Branford — he said he and his family enjoyed a “provisional” membership at the club for two years before being denied regular, permanent membership in July 2015.
“My kids were all happy at the club and so was my wife,” he said. “I was too. It was a place to use the pool, to play golf, go boating and play tennis. My kids were in the sailing and tennis clubs. We all made friends there.” “It was very hurtful for me to have to tell my kids they couldn’t go there anymore, and why,” he added. “I’m just amazed it’s still going on in 2016.” During those two years of “provisional” membership, he said, “I never had an issue there. There were no complaints, nothing on my record.”
Thus he said it was “clear” he was denied permanent membership “because of my nationality and my religion." He charged the membership denial was the work of a small group “that controls the club. They don’t want to bring diversity into the club. They have zero minorities.” Farid also asserted he has seen “blatantly racist letters” that were sent to the board to oppose his membership.
"In the lawsuit, Nelson wrote that during the Farids’ provisional membership, some club members made derogatory and racially insensitive comments about the plaintiffs’ race, religion, color, national origin and/or ancestry, including that they were ‘Muslim and supported terrorism,’ that they would be practicing their religion on the club’s property; that Kara Farid and her three minor female children would be wearing hijabs (headscarves) to the club’s pool; and that if the club were to allow them to become regular members, they would propose more Muslims for membership.”
Nelson added during an interview from his law office: “My client really does believe the overwhelming majority of the members are good and nice people. This was the act of a small, vocal minority.”
"William Murray, the club’s attorney, said Farid’s allegations in the lawsuit are completely untrue. The reasons for him not being moved to full membership will come out. His claim it was based on his national origin or religion is completely ridiculous.”
It should be noted that not all victims of racism summon the courage to file a law suit or even protest against the prejudice and bigotry.
Media Bites Editor's Choice
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