For the last eight weeks Islam has been attacked on Capitol Hill under the auspices of protecting religious minorities from persecution. Legislation titled the, "Freedom From Religious Persecution Act of 1997" was introduced into the House by Representative Frank Wolf (R-Va and the Senate by Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) on May 20, 1997. This bill claims to protect minorities and then targets Islam as the perpetrator of most of this persecution. This legislation should address all countries that are involved in oppression against religious minorities. Countries such as Yugoslavia (Serbia-Montenegro), India, Bulgaria, Greece, and the Philippines belong on any list that identifies states that persecute religious minorities. This bill’s current selective focus leads us to believe that a hidden agenda and political motivation that has nothing to do with a noble concern for Christians and other religious activists lies behind this recent movement.

On Tuesday, June 10 the Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a one-sided hearing on religious persecution in the Middle East. AMC has written the Subcommittee’s Chairman, Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), to point out the obvious bias in the current focus and how it degrades the morality of this cause. In this letter we proposed alterations to the bill that would bring it back it line with the noble cause it purports to uphold. To date there has been no response. Now is the time for Muslims to mobilize and turn back the tide of this assault!

ACTION REQUESTED:

Call the members of the Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Subcommittee. Firmly, but politely, urge them to focus on all forms of religious persecution:

Chairman Sam Brownback (R-KS): (202) 224-6521

Gordon Smith (R-OR): (202) 224-3753 Rod Grams (R-MN): (202) 224-3244

Jesse Helms (R-NC)224-6342 John Ashcroft (R-MO): (202) : (202) 224-6154

Charles S. Robb (D-VA): (202) 224-4024 Dianne Fienstein (D-CA): (202) 224-3841


Paul David Wellstone (D-MN): (202) 224-5641 Paul S. Sarbanes (D-MD): (202) 224-4524

If you live in the DC area the hearing will be held at 2 PM in the Dirksen Building, 1st and C Streets, NE. Muslims should attend and using politeness and "hikmah" convince the Committee not let a good cause become undermined by immoral agendas.

TALKING POINTS:

Persecution in Islamic countries occurs in spite of Islam, not because of it. In fact Allah tells us in the Qu’ran, "Let there be no compulsion in religion." (2:256) Islam calls for the protection of minorities.

In all cities from Cairo to New Delhi to Belgrade to Jerusalem the right of religious minorities to worship should be guaranteed.