Thaindian News

Washington, Sep 12 (IANS) Over 40 South Asian organisations joined in solemn remembrance of those who lost their lives in the traumatic 9/11 terror attacks, seeking an end to discrimination and a return to America’s ideals of fairness and inclusion.

“Like all Americans, South Asians in the United States were deeply affected by the events on and after Sep 11,” the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations (NCSO) said in a statement Sunday.

“From the days and months following the tragedy to now, member organizations of the NCSO have addressed a range of issues arising in our communities in the post-Sep 11 environment-from helping individuals who lost family members or livelihoods to advocating for those who faced discrimination, hate crimes, profiling, and arbitrary detentions,” it said.

“A decade later, many South Asians who call America home continue to be affected by unfair policies, xenophobic rhetoric, and discrimination,” the network of community-based organizations coordinated by South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) said.

Now more than ever, members of the NCSO seek to ensure that our country remains true to its fundamental ideals of fairness and inclusion, it said.

“Today, as we pause to remember September 11th, we also renew our pledge to work towards public policies and community-based efforts that will reaffirm our country’s commitment to human rights, justice, and equality for all,” the coalition said.

Meanwhile, the Sikh Coalition, a community advocacy group said: “Like all Americans, Sikhs lost friends and colleagues on that tragic day. Sikhs were also amongst the first responders to the attacks.”

“On this day, which affected all, we especially remember our obligation to stand together as one.”

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)