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(CHICAGO, IL, 6\/13\/25)<\/strong> \u2013 <\/span>The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today expressed serious concern regarding the recent Islamophobic fear mongering by Hemant Patel, the new President of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA)<\/span><\/a>. Under Hemant Patel\u2019s leadership, Shree Sanatan, the organization for which he serves as president, distributed a flyer containing content that CAIR-Chicago believes promotes harmful stereotypes and misinformation, that he personally shared on his public social media platforms in May 2025, raising concern among members of the local community.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n SEE: Islamophobic social media posts: <\/a>Image 1<\/span><\/a>, Image 2<\/span><\/a>, Image 3<\/span><\/a>, Image 4<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Mr. Patel has shared messages associated with extremist political Hindu Supremacist ideologies and debunked Islamophobic conspiracy theories. Mr. Patel has appeared at events featuring speakers affiliated with the RSS<\/span><\/a>, including individuals whose public remarks have been condemned by human rights groups for promoting anti-Muslim sentiment and for calling for a mass slaughter of Muslims<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![Islamophobic social media posts: <\/a>](\"https:\/\/www.cairchicago.org\/s\/Image-5.jpeg\"){kind=link}
![Image 1<\/span><\/a>, Image 2<\/span><\/a>, Image 3<\/span><\/a>, Image 4<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nMr. Patel has shared messages associated with extremist political Hindu Supremacist ideologies and debunked Islamophobic conspiracy theories. Mr. Patel has appeared at events featuring speakers affiliated with the RSS<\/span><\/a>, including individuals whose public remarks have been condemned by human rights groups for promoting anti-Muslim sentiment and for calling for a mass slaughter of Muslims<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\nSEE: Southern Poverty Law Center\u2019s Guide on Hindu Supremacy in the United States<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\u201cEmbracing and elevating a figure whose public associations and rhetoric raise serious concerns about the spread of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bias in Chicago is a moral failure. The FIA should be uniting our communities, not importing hate. We demand that the FIA find a new President that delivers on the timely need to unite our communities against all forms of racism, xenophobia, and fascism. Chicago deserves better leadership, leadership that reflects our city\u2019s values of inclusion, justice, and mutual respect.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director, CAIR-Chicago\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nPushkar Sharma, Executive Director of SACRED (South Asian American Coalition to Renew Democracy) said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cAt a moment when immigrant and minority faith communities face increasing hate, organizations like FIA have a moral responsibility to stand up for all marginalized communities.\u00a0As an Indian-American I am personally offended by Mr. Hemant Patel\u2019s actions spreading hateful disinformation and apparently seeking to financially profit from it.\u00a0I call on Mr. Patel to reject bigotry and to instead promote intercommunity cooperation.\u00a0 If he refuses, FIA members should immediately elect a principled leader who can.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nSEE: <\/strong>CAIR\u2019s Civil Rights Report Shows Islamophobia Complaints at All-Time High, Viewpoint Discrimination Key Factor<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\nCAIR-Chicago\u2019s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.\u00a0<\/p>\nCONTACT:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nAhmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nJordan Esparza-Kelley, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago, 312-212-1520, Ext 208, j-EsparzaKelley@cair.com<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n](\"https:\/\/www.cairchicago.org\/s\/Image5.jpeg\"){kind=link}
![Image 2<\/span><\/a>, Image 3<\/span><\/a>, Image 4<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nMr. Patel has shared messages associated with extremist political Hindu Supremacist ideologies and debunked Islamophobic conspiracy theories. Mr. Patel has appeared at events featuring speakers affiliated with the RSS<\/span><\/a>, including individuals whose public remarks have been condemned by human rights groups for promoting anti-Muslim sentiment and for calling for a mass slaughter of Muslims<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\nSEE: Southern Poverty Law Center\u2019s Guide on Hindu Supremacy in the United States<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\u201cEmbracing and elevating a figure whose public associations and rhetoric raise serious concerns about the spread of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bias in Chicago is a moral failure. The FIA should be uniting our communities, not importing hate. We demand that the FIA find a new President that delivers on the timely need to unite our communities against all forms of racism, xenophobia, and fascism. Chicago deserves better leadership, leadership that reflects our city\u2019s values of inclusion, justice, and mutual respect.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director, CAIR-Chicago\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nPushkar Sharma, Executive Director of SACRED (South Asian American Coalition to Renew Democracy) said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cAt a moment when immigrant and minority faith communities face increasing hate, organizations like FIA have a moral responsibility to stand up for all marginalized communities.\u00a0As an Indian-American I am personally offended by Mr. Hemant Patel\u2019s actions spreading hateful disinformation and apparently seeking to financially profit from it.\u00a0I call on Mr. Patel to reject bigotry and to instead promote intercommunity cooperation.\u00a0 If he refuses, FIA members should immediately elect a principled leader who can.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nSEE: <\/strong>CAIR\u2019s Civil Rights Report Shows Islamophobia Complaints at All-Time High, Viewpoint Discrimination Key Factor<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\nCAIR-Chicago\u2019s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.\u00a0<\/p>\nCONTACT:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nAhmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nJordan Esparza-Kelley, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago, 312-212-1520, Ext 208, j-EsparzaKelley@cair.com<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n](\"https:\/\/www.cairchicago.org\/s\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-06-12-at-141756-1.jpeg\"){kind=link}
![Image 3<\/span><\/a>, Image 4<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nMr. Patel has shared messages associated with extremist political Hindu Supremacist ideologies and debunked Islamophobic conspiracy theories. Mr. Patel has appeared at events featuring speakers affiliated with the RSS<\/span><\/a>, including individuals whose public remarks have been condemned by human rights groups for promoting anti-Muslim sentiment and for calling for a mass slaughter of Muslims<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\nSEE: Southern Poverty Law Center\u2019s Guide on Hindu Supremacy in the United States<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\u201cEmbracing and elevating a figure whose public associations and rhetoric raise serious concerns about the spread of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bias in Chicago is a moral failure. The FIA should be uniting our communities, not importing hate. We demand that the FIA find a new President that delivers on the timely need to unite our communities against all forms of racism, xenophobia, and fascism. Chicago deserves better leadership, leadership that reflects our city\u2019s values of inclusion, justice, and mutual respect.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director, CAIR-Chicago\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nPushkar Sharma, Executive Director of SACRED (South Asian American Coalition to Renew Democracy) said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cAt a moment when immigrant and minority faith communities face increasing hate, organizations like FIA have a moral responsibility to stand up for all marginalized communities.\u00a0As an Indian-American I am personally offended by Mr. Hemant Patel\u2019s actions spreading hateful disinformation and apparently seeking to financially profit from it.\u00a0I call on Mr. Patel to reject bigotry and to instead promote intercommunity cooperation.\u00a0 If he refuses, FIA members should immediately elect a principled leader who can.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nSEE: <\/strong>CAIR\u2019s Civil Rights Report Shows Islamophobia Complaints at All-Time High, Viewpoint Discrimination Key Factor<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\nCAIR-Chicago\u2019s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.\u00a0<\/p>\nCONTACT:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nAhmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nJordan Esparza-Kelley, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago, 312-212-1520, Ext 208, j-EsparzaKelley@cair.com<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n](\"https:\/\/www.cairchicago.org\/s\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-06-12-at-141756-2.jpeg\"){kind=link}
![Image 4<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nMr. Patel has shared messages associated with extremist political Hindu Supremacist ideologies and debunked Islamophobic conspiracy theories. Mr. Patel has appeared at events featuring speakers affiliated with the RSS<\/span><\/a>, including individuals whose public remarks have been condemned by human rights groups for promoting anti-Muslim sentiment and for calling for a mass slaughter of Muslims<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\nSEE: Southern Poverty Law Center\u2019s Guide on Hindu Supremacy in the United States<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\u201cEmbracing and elevating a figure whose public associations and rhetoric raise serious concerns about the spread of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bias in Chicago is a moral failure. The FIA should be uniting our communities, not importing hate. We demand that the FIA find a new President that delivers on the timely need to unite our communities against all forms of racism, xenophobia, and fascism. Chicago deserves better leadership, leadership that reflects our city\u2019s values of inclusion, justice, and mutual respect.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director, CAIR-Chicago\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nPushkar Sharma, Executive Director of SACRED (South Asian American Coalition to Renew Democracy) said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cAt a moment when immigrant and minority faith communities face increasing hate, organizations like FIA have a moral responsibility to stand up for all marginalized communities.\u00a0As an Indian-American I am personally offended by Mr. Hemant Patel\u2019s actions spreading hateful disinformation and apparently seeking to financially profit from it.\u00a0I call on Mr. Patel to reject bigotry and to instead promote intercommunity cooperation.\u00a0 If he refuses, FIA members should immediately elect a principled leader who can.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nSEE: <\/strong>CAIR\u2019s Civil Rights Report Shows Islamophobia Complaints at All-Time High, Viewpoint Discrimination Key Factor<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\nCAIR-Chicago\u2019s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.\u00a0<\/p>\nCONTACT:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nAhmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nJordan Esparza-Kelley, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago, 312-212-1520, Ext 208, j-EsparzaKelley@cair.com<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n](\"https:\/\/www.cairchicago.org\/s\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-06-12-at-141756-3.jpeg\"){kind=link}