Bashy Quraishy is a Danish-Pakistani author and consultant regarding minority rights.
He was born in India, but grew up in Pakistan. He has studied Engineering in Germany and USA, and later studied International Marketing in London. He is a member of a number of Commissions, Committees and Boards involved with Human Rights, Ethnic/Religious Equality Issues, anti-racism, anti-discrimination, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, both in Denmark and internationally.
On the Danish level, He is the Chief Editor of MidiaWatch, which is a quarterly magazine on media and minorities, Chair of media monitoring organisation, Fair Play and member of the Advisory Council of Danish Human Rights Institute.
On the international level, from 2001 – 2007, he was President of ENAR – Brussels that is the largest EU network against racism with over 700 member organisations. Since Nov 2007, he is Chairman of ENAR’s Advisory Council, Chair of the European Platform for Jewish Muslim Co-operation, member of the “Board of Trustees” of the Dutch Foundation ” More colour in the media”, General Secretary of the network, EMISCO – European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion and Member – Advisory Board – Migration Research Centre – Hacettepe University – Ankara.Turkey. He is also senior adviser to COJEP International, a France based inter-cultural youth organisation and from 2005-2007 sat on EU Commission’s High Level Committee on the Social and Labour Market integration of disadvantaged ethnic minorities in EU.
Quraishy contributes regularly to the Danish and European press with essays, chronicles and TV debates as well as lectures on various issues concerning Ethnic Minorities in EU, Islam in the Western Media, benefits of inter-culturalism, globalization, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, Racism’s consequences and Integration’s dilemma in Europe. Since January 2010, he hosts TV programme – Bashy’s Corner – at TV Channel Greater Copenhagen.
In September 2013, he was invited by the office of the Turkish Prime Minister to take part in an International Conference in Istanbul to discuss the increasing Islamophobia in the west in media, legal system and politics and how, the Muslim communities can deal with it in an amicable way.
During his stay, various TV Stations interviewed him and here is one interview from TV Channel A9, a Turkish channel that works with inter-faith co-operation among religions and cultures.
To listen to his views about minority rights and co-operation between Turkey, Iran and Pakistan, click here.
Categories: Asia
Through his comments, articles and exchange of few mails I also know him. He is nice, loyal and true human being with kind and big heart. That is different thing that in spite of his promise he never remembered to incorporate Mr Abdullah Wagiahsuer of AMJ Germany in his cohesion efforts.
His idea to revive RCD is good one. But I doubt in present heated religious atmosphere any such proposal can work. When RCD was active all three states were following the separation of state from religion. These days Pakistan is under control of religious clerics. Same is the case with Iran and Turkey also following the same foot steps. As Germany and France started EU idea the rulers of these countries were never controlled by religious clerics. His idea to revive regional cooperation is very good provided separation of religion from state is ensured. The day three countries can do so will be the start of fulfilling this good wish of Mr Bashy.
So far my assessment infers regarding this man bashy, he is a hypocrite atypical introvert bigotry. His comments on themuslimtimes clearly shows his internal religious grudge against Ahamdi Muslims. No matter how big claims he makes and render his chivalrous and enlightened sentiments here, he takes Ahamdi Muslims out of Islam. He never answered to my questions that could reveal his chronic epidemic.
It is nice to watch one of our very valued commentator in speech.
Dear Zubair Khan
Thanks for your remark, which needs clarification.
European Muslim Initiative For Social Cohesion is a voluntary NGO network with a clear mandate to raise awareness among Muslim communities concerning their own place and participation in Europe and to campaign among European institutions and politicians about Islamophobia, democratic deficit, legal protection and socio-economic discrimination in Europe. We are not a religious organisation, I must add.
We have a large board, which is elected every two years and we also try to work together with all communities among Muslim groups in Europe.
You have mentioned in your comment that I have promised to include AMJ –Germany in my cohesion efforts. Would you kindly let me know when and what was the nature of the promise because honestly, I have no recollection of such promise? If you could also send me the contact details of the AMJ so that I can directly contact them and explore the possibility of co-operation.
As far as RCD is concerned, it may not be possible today but one lovely day, these three countries would realise the benefit of economic co-operation on the model of EU, who were killing each other just few decades back and now are partners. In my dictionary, nothing is impossible.
I agree with you that there is a dire need of a separation of State and Religion. Personally, I am not a religious person but I do care for human rights, which also include religious rights. I just spoke at an international conference in Brussels on 16 Oct on the issue of “Duty of the State to protect small and big religions”, where I defended the right of an individual to belong to any faith, religion and movement without being harassed by the State. Again, my area of focus is Europe because the organizations, I am involved with work under a specific mandate.
On 25th September, I was in Warsaw at the OSCE events where my organisation EMISCO had a side event on the role of social media in spreading Islamophobia.
What I would suggest and have done so in your esteemed Newspaper is that Ahmedi Muslim organisations should focus on their human rights and avail all the channels present in Europe to raise their voice. I hardly see anyone doing that, at least in the forums, I go and these are many. Yes, I remember that there was one Ahmedi gentleman in Warsaw in Sept 2013 meeting who took the floor but I could not locate him later. I am ready to meet with you and others who are based in Europe and exchange views as how you could get your voice heard.
By the way, I have good friends in Denmark with Ahmedi background and have visited Masjid Nusrat at various occasions. So I am familiar with the issues, Ahmedi community is facing both in Pakistan and in Europe.
So dear Khan, I hope that I have explained all that I could at the moment.
Kind regards
Bashy
Dear Mr. Qureshi
First of all, thanks for your kind comment, however misplaced and ignorant it may sound.
In my line of work, I cannot dictate who should understand me the way, I intend or what I believe in but to say that I am a “hypocrite atypical introvert bigotry” says more about your own twisted mindset than is my reality.
The editors and the readers of MT can testify that I agree with many things, which are said in this paper, appreciate its efforts to inform but I have also a right to disagree too. This is called democracy and freedom of expression.
But you are accusing me of something; I have never said, believed or professed.
Having said that, I do not wish to engage with you in a slanging match. That is beneath my dignity.
Kind regards
Bashy
Dear Mr Bashy. Just to remind you in 2012 was some event in European Commission or parliament and you or your organization was arranging some thing. Prior to it Spiritual head of AMJ had delivered his adress in Europa Parliament. In same context few mails were exchanged and you offerred to consider AMJ Germany head for some future assignments. I shall try to find out exact matter and will let you know. Any way I do appreciate your servcies and efforts for humanity. Keep it up.