Thai Delegation Discusses with Dr. al-Hibri the State of Muslims in the U.S. and Thailand.

On July 1, 2011, a Thai delegation of human rights activists, NGO leaders and a Law Professor visited KARAMAH as part of the Department of State’s International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) on “Civic Activism and Minority Rights.” The delegation and Dr. Azizah al-Hibri discussed the state of Muslims in Thailand, and how the military emergency law affects the Muslim Thai minority. They also discussed how the Thai government and legal system handle the tensions between Islamic and Thai law, as well as the violence that arose from the newly adopted Law of Succession. The delegation works with youth in their communities, including Muslim Thais, to promote non-violence and access to justice and they were very interested in learning about KARAMAH ‘s efforts to help Muslim communities protect themselves in the US, particularly in the face of anti-Muslim sentiments that remain after 9/11. Dr. al- Hibri also spoke with the Thai leaders about KARAMAH’s work in educational and legal outreach to promote human rights around the world, particularly those of Muslim women under Islamic and civil law.