LOS ANGELES, Nov 5: The Muslim communities in the United States that have invited scholars to recite the holy Quran during Ramazan celebrations may have to make changes as those invited are struggling to get US visas.
Increased security and restrictions on immigration visas most likely will disrupt traditional Taravih at several places in the US as Ramazan begins from Wednesday (Nov 6).
Muslim scholars, usually from the Middle East, had, in past, been brought to the mosques or Islamic community centres to recite the holy Quran during Ramazan.
“This year, because of what appears to be a reluctance of the State Department to grant visas to Islamic scholars, many Muslim communities may
not be able to practice their annual routine,” Mujeeb Cheema, spokesman of the Islamic Society said from Tulsa, Ohio.
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American Islamic Relations in Washington, D.C., said his organization had received complaints from all parts of the United States about visa problems for visiting scholars.
“We’re considering approaching the State Department about it,” he said, adding: “But it’s unlikely to be resolved for this year.”
