WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2011 – The American Islamic Congress (AIC) yesterday delivered a letter to Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), exhorting him to release his “call back” of H.R. 2867 and allow this bill to pass by unanimous consent before Nov. 18.
H.R. 2867, also known as the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2011, directly affects the commission (USCIRF) responsible for reviewing the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and making policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State and Congress.
Mr. Durbin is the only Senator holding up the passage of this bill, and if it does not pass by Nov. 18, 2011, USCIRF will close its doors and cease to exist. The American Islamic Congress, as representatives of the American Muslim community, strongly advocates for the passage of this Bill in the Senate, which passed the House in September (391-21) on Sept. 15, 2011.
The passage of H.R. 2867 is key to demonstrating our nation’s unified and unfaltering commitment to advocate for those who are silenced by religious persecution around the globe. It is the position of AIC, which represents the diverse, multi-ethnic and multicultural American Muslim constituency, that no effort be spared in passing H.R. 2867 and in preserving the reputation, ideals, and founding principles of the United States in advocating for people of all faiths throughout the world.
ABOUT AMERICAN ISLAMIC CONGRESS
The American Islamic Congress (AIC) is a non-religious organization dedicated to building interfaith and interethnic understanding and to supporting human and civil rights throughout the Muslim Word. As American Muslims thriving amidst the U.S.’s open society, AIC aims to offer a positive example for the global Muslim community. We advocate for women’s equality, free expression, and nonviolence – making no apologies for terrorism, which primarily claims Muslim lives.
###
