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Engaging With Muslims vs. Fitna on Capitol Hill
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| | | ISLAMIC INFORMATION CENTER
INFORMATION ALERT | | Gaza Podcast
Engaging With Muslims vs. Fitna on Capitol Hill
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(WASHINGTON DC - February 25, 2009) In an outstanding show of moderation and fair heartedness, Senator John Kerry, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is holding a hearing this Thursday, Feb. 26th, billed as "Engaging with Muslim Communities Around the World". This is expected to be the beginning of a series of hearings held by Chairman Kerry to foster improvement between the US and Muslim World. The Congressional Muslim Staffers Association has assisted Senator Kerry's Committee staff in identifying Muslim Americans to testify in the hearings. The hearings are open to the public. Click here for hearing details.
However, in strongly disappointing news, also on Thursday, Senator Kyl of Arizona will be hosting a viewing of the controversial short film "Fitna" in the Senate, open only to Congressional Members and staffers. The film's maker, Dutch Parliamentarian Geert Wilders, has been invited to attend the event. Click here for the related article.
Unfortunatley, the Senate viewing of Fitna will potentially gain media attention greater than the coverage of Chairman Kerry's hearing on Engaging the Muslim World. IIC believes there is a strong need to take action to make sure that Chairman Kerry's initiative gains the proper attention, helping to promote the meaningful dialog and constructive work that is taking place between America's elected leaders and Muslim American leadership.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Contact Senator Kyl: Have your organization send a message to Senator Kyl stating your concern and disappointment in his endorsement of the film Fitna. Ask him to publicaly endorse Senator Kerry's hearing on Engaging the Muslim World instead of hosting the Fitna viewing.
2. Thank Senator Kerry: Send a letter or fax to Chairman Kerry's Foreign Relations Committee thanking him for his leadership and commitment to fostering positive and productive relations with the Muslim American community and Muslim World. State your support for the series of hearing and endorse his Committee staff's working with the Congressional Muslim Staffers Associaiton to identify moderate, mainstream Muslim scholars and leaders to testify in his hearings.
Chairman John Kerry U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relatons Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 202.224.4651 202.228.3612 fax kerry.senate.gov/contact/office.cfm
3. Notify Media: Contact media outlets requesting them to give full attention and coverage of Senator Kerry's hearing on Engaging the Muslim World. Also state why Senator Kyl's viewing of the film Fitna will not contribute to a constructive engagement and partnership between the US and mainstream, moderate Muslim communities and leadership.
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