Aziz Haniffa

Stories by Aziz Haniffa

US: Old vs new in supporting community candidates

US: Old vs new in supporting community candidates

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2010

In the interaction that followed the discussion on 'Supporting Our Candidates: Stretching the Indian American Dollar,' former Indian-American Leadership Initiative president Jay Chaudhuri lamented the disconnect between the older and younger Indian-American generations.

'You can't turn away from your heritage'

'You can't turn away from your heritage'

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2010

The 'dean' of Indian-American legislators, Maryland House Majority Leader Kumar Barve, recalled that when he first decided to run, the community found his decision "dubious."

Soulsearching: Democrats taking desis for granted?

Soulsearching: Democrats taking desis for granted?

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2010

Is the Democratic Party taking the Indian-American community for granted? That was one of the issues that came up during the interactive sessions at the Indian-American Leadership Initiative convention, especially considering how much the likes of Jay Goyal, Ashwin Madia, Manan Trivedi and others had to fight to secure Democratic nominations in the primary over the favorites of party insiders, in contrast to what some argued was the embrace of the GOP of the likes of Bobby Ji

US Hindu body condemns vandalism of mosques

US Hindu body condemns vandalism of mosques

Rediff.com   6 Sep 2010

The Hindu American Foundation -- comprising mainly second generation Indian American Hindu professionals, including several physicians and lawyers- -- has condemned the increasing vandalism and protests against mosques across the United States and even violence against Muslim Americans in the wake of the controversy over a proposal to build a mosque near Ground Zero in New York, saying, "These displays of bigotry are despicable."

US firms peeved over nuke liability amendments

US firms peeved over nuke liability amendments

Rediff.com   31 Aug 2010

An obviously chagrined United States-India Business Council, which has lobbied feverishly for the passage of the US-India civilian nuclear deal in the US Congress, on Monday issued a guarded reaction to the passage of the nuclear liability bill in the Parliament that had 'compromised on the indemnity clause demanded by American companies to protect it from liability in case of a nuclear accident.'

Islamic scholar speaks on Ground Zero mosque row

Islamic scholar speaks on Ground Zero mosque row

Rediff.com   30 Aug 2010

The controversy about the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero "has highlighted the inner strength of America's pluralist society as well as the raw sentiments of some politicians," according to Srinagar-born Professor Sayyid M Syeed, national director of the Office for Interfaith and Community Alliances of the Islamic society of North America.

'Inciting remarks on 9/11 mosque must stop'

'Inciting remarks on 9/11 mosque must stop'

Rediff.com   30 Aug 2010

Indian American Muslim Republicans have expressed outrage over the rabble-rousing of fellow Republican leaders like former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and erstwhile Alaska Governor Sarah Palin over the proposed building of a mosque-cum-community centre near Ground Zero, and warned that their bigotry will drive Muslim Americans out of the party.

Mumbai-born Catholic to head King's College in NYC

Mumbai-born Catholic to head King's College in NYC

Rediff.com   30 Aug 2010

Dinesh D'Souza, the Mumbai-born controversial conservative scholar, has been appointed president of The King's College in New York City -- a move that has surprised many high education observers because D'Souza, a Roman Catholic, will now take over the helm of the historically evangelical Protestant institution.

Didn't visit JuD relief camp: USAID chief Shah

Didn't visit JuD relief camp: USAID chief Shah

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2010

Dr Rajiv Shah, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development and the highest-ranking Indian American in the Barack Obama administration, has set the record straight over conflicting reports that he had visited a relief camp run by a front organisation of Jamaat-ud-Dawa in Pakistan's Sindh province and handed over US aid.The JuD is headed by Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Tayiba and alleged mastermind of the horrific 26/11 terror attacks.

'Muslims didn't bomb twin towers. Terrorists did'

'Muslims didn't bomb twin towers. Terrorists did'

Rediff.com   24 Aug 2010

The two Indian Americans on the White House inter-faith council, Eboo Patel, a Muslim, and Anju Bhargava, a Hindu, have strongly endorsed United States President Barack Obama's support for the proposed mosque cum community and Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero in New York, saying it was a constitutional issue with regard to freedom of religion that had to be protected zealously

More Indians entering leading think tanks in US

More Indians entering leading think tanks in US

Rediff.com   24 Aug 2010

Shikha Bhatnagar's recent appointment as Associate Director of the South Asia Center of the Atlantic Council, is yet another manifestation of a growing trend of second generation Indian Americans' advent into leading Washington, DC think tanks as senior policy analysts and associates.

End of the political road for Satveer Chaudhary?

End of the political road for Satveer Chaudhary?

Rediff.com   18 Aug 2010

It was an ignominious defeat and perhaps the end of a political career of an Indian American state legislator who at one time held such promise that he was often touted as a future national politician either in the United States House of Representatives of US Senate, with some even arguing that he was gubernatorial material.

Racist post: Indian Americans slam Rep candidate

Racist post: Indian Americans slam Rep candidate

Rediff.com   18 Aug 2010

The Indian American Leadership Initiative and Democratic Party activists and political operatives, have rounded up Mike Pompeo, Republican Congressional candidate in Kansas' District 4, for using Twitter to direct his followers to a blog posting, which he said would be 'a good read' that attacks his Democratic opponent Raj Goyle in a most vile, racist and bigoted manner.

Obama ends silence, favours mosque near 9/11 site

Obama ends silence, favours mosque near 9/11 site

Rediff.com   14 Aug 2010

The debate over Obama's defence of the mosque had begun even before he had delivered his remarks when the White House provided a copy of his prepared remarks two hours before he made them, where it was clear that after refusing to take a position on the issue, the President himself had jumped right into the fray by saying not to allow this mosque to be built would be contrary to everything America stood for.

'China sexy as far as US goes. India interesting'

'China sexy as far as US goes. India interesting'

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2010

Former ambassador to India Frank Wisner is convinced that "the United States cannot pursue its interests in the world without cooperation with India, and India will not achieve her essential interests without cooperation with the US."

Indo-US dialogue: After the euphoria, skepticism

Indo-US dialogue: After the euphoria, skepticism

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2010

Doubts about the Obama administration's commitment to a strategic partnership with India were raised by the likes of Lalit Mansingh, former Indian ambassador to the US and former Indian foreign secretary, and Kanwal Sibal, former Indian foreign secretary and former deputy chief of mission in Washington, DC, in two separate panels titled 'American and Indian Strategic Interests in Asia' and 'Where is the US-India Strategic Relationship Headed in the Coming Year?'

'Indian economy is part of the world's engine'

'Indian economy is part of the world's engine'

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2010

India's exponential economic prowess has made Boeing covet that country like never before, said Thomas Pickering, former under secretary of state and former ambassador to India, who after he retired was a vice president with Boeing and who remains a consultant with the aviation giant.

Al Qaeda's core is in Pak, remains big threat: US

Al Qaeda's core is in Pak, remains big threat: US

Rediff.com   6 Aug 2010

In 2009, Al Qaeda's core in Pakistan remained the most formidable terrorist organisation targeting the US homeland and it has proven to be an adaptable and resilient terrorist group, the annual Country Reports on Terrorism released by the US Department of State of Thursday has said.

The Indian who inspired Sean Penn

The Indian who inspired Sean Penn

Rediff.com   26 Jul 2010

The actors makes a plea to India-Americans across the globe.

'Indian Muslims experiencing political awakening'

'Indian Muslims experiencing political awakening'

Rediff.com   23 Jul 2010

Over 100 people in the Washington, DC metropolitan area gathered to hear Indian Muslim leader Syed Shahabuddin at a dinner hosted in his honour by the Association of Indian Muslims of America.