From: Voice Of The Copts
In collaboration with Human Rights Advocates and Religious Freedom Defenders, The Center for Democracy and Human Rights and Saudi Arabia, CDHR, INVITES YOU TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS TIMELY CONFERENCE, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2010 – 12:00 (noon) to 4:30 P.M. U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Congressional Meeting Room (South) – Please RSVP by Oct. 20. [email protected] — 202.413.0084, [email protected] 202.558.5552.
Notwithstanding reported concerns in some Islamic lands about our armies deployed abroad, many Arabs and Muslims chafe under the restraints of despotic regimes and long for the freedoms and opportunities afforded all citizens in the United States. One can find intense and desperate yearning for US support among democracy advocates, women, minorities and expatriates.
It is well documented by reputable NGOs, media outlets and many Western governments’ agencies, including the State Department and The US Commission on International Religious Freedom, that rampant violations of minorities and expatriates’ rights occur in countries considered allies of the US and other Western democracies. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, the small oil-rich Arab Gulf States, Iraq and Sudan are notoriously known for their ubiquitous abuses of women’s, minorities’ and expatriates’ rights.
We commend President Obama for portraying dictators as adversaries and praise democracies as America’s best friends and trusted allies during his second annual address to the U.N. General Assembly on September 23, 2010. He declared, “Freedom, justice and peace in the lives of individual human beings” are {for the United States} “a matter of moral and pragmatic necessity. So we need to stand up for universal values because it’s the right thing to do. But we also know from experience that those who defend these values for their people have been our closest friends and allies, while those who have denied those rights — whether terrorist groups or tyrannical governments — have chosen to be our adversaries.” The President went on to say, “Part of the price of our own freedom is standing up for the freedom of others… That belief will guide America’s leadership in this 21st century.”
This conference is designed to address gross injustices committed against women, minorities and expatriates in Arab and Muslim countries. Maltreatment of these groups are often committed in the name of Islam and the Sharia law.
This conference is not about debating Islam in any comprehensive way. However, it is impossible to understand the plight of minorities, women and expatriates without understanding what the Quran and Sharia (and their current interpretations in some countries) say about abuses and marginalization of these groups.
Professor Ramesh Rao
Human Rights Coordinator, Hindu American Foundation (HAF)
“From malignant neglect to harsh discrimination: The plight of Hindus in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Afghanistan”
Dr. Dwight Bashir
Deputy Director for Policy and Research, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom — http://www.uscirf.gov
“Repression of Minorities in the Arab Middle East and Iran”
Clare Lopez
CDHR Board member, former CIA Officer and Professor at the Center for Counterintelligence and Security Studies
“The Impact of Shariah Law on Women’s Rights”
Dr. Ashraf Ramelah
Founder and President, Human Rights Organization “Voice of the Copts”
“Copts between persecution and perpetration”
Carole Basri
Former member of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq and Adjunct Professor, University of Pennsylvania Law School
“The Status of Arab Jews”
Shastri Purushotma
Human Rights Officer, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States
“The experience of Baha’i communities in the Middle East and implications for the future”
William Murray
Christians Experience Under Arab and Muslim Rule
Chairman, Religious Freedom Coalition
Manda Zand Ervin
Founder and Director, Alliance of Iranian Women
Fatima Thompson
Co-chair, Muslims for Progressive Values
Katrin Michael-Consultant, Washington Kurdish Institute
Co-sponsors
Hudson Institute’s Center for Religious Freedom — www.hudson.org
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the U.S — [email protected]
Hindu American Foundation — www.hafsite.org
Muslims for Progressive Values
Kurdish Human Rights Watch — www.khrw.org
Religious Freedom Coalition — www.rfcnet.org
Alliance of Iranian Women — allianceofiranianwomen.org
Voice of the Copts — www.voiceofthecopts.org
——————————————————————————–
Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia
1050 17 St. NW Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 558-5552; (202) 413-0084; Fax: (202) 536-5210
