MUSLIMS PROTEST DETENTION FOR SPORTING BEARD

A number of people representing various organisations protested outside the Israeli Consulate in Mumbai on July 2 over the detention of Mohammed Saleem for standing outside the Israeli Consulate. Saleem, 42, a civil engineer, who was in the area for some official work, was checking his mobile phone when a staff of the Consulate approached and interrogated him. He was simultaneously taken to the police station where it was learnt that his bearded appearance had aroused the Consulate’s suspicion. Placards carried slogans such as ‘Your forefathers Abraham, Moses and David, O, Israel, they all were bearded’. The protesters termed Israel a terrorist state and called for the termination of diplomatic relations with the country. The Mumbai Police assured them to probe into the matter. “It was the Israeli Consulate that informed the police that the movement of the man was suspicious. The police verified the identity of the individual and his address, and when satisfied with what they learnt, they dropped him home. That was the end of it,” said Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjeev Dayal. Later a delegation met Mr Dayal at his office and discussed the issue. A departmental inquiry has been entrusted to Iqbal Shaikh, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Colaba division), reports say.