| American Islamic Congress Hosts Capitol Hill Forum on Extremism and Reform in the Muslim World |
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Washington, D.C. - The American Islamic Congress (AIC) is holding a Capitol Hill forum at noon on Friday, February 8, on the role of state repression in fostering extremism in the Muslim world.
The panel, co-sponsored by Congress' Religious Freedom and Anti-Terrorism caucuses, features three leading Middle East civil rights analysts. The event is the latest in AIC's monthly forum on Muslim affairs, designed to inform Congressional leaders, Capitol Hill staffers, and the Washington policy community.
When: 12 p.m. Friday, February 8, 2008
Where: Longworth Building 1116, Capitol Hill
Featured speakers:
Ammar Abdulhamid, Executive Director of The Tharwa Foundation
Mansour Al Haj, Senior reporter for Aafaq, Arab reform website
Nasser Weddady, HAMSA Outreach Director
Moderator:
Zainab Al-Suwaij, Executive Director, American Islamic Congress
Speakers will share insights based on their own experience with extremism and repression. Abdulhamid, a former Islamist imam turned civil rights reformer, will explain the nexus of repression and extremism in his native Syria. Al Haj will explore restrictions on media and reformers. Weddady will discuss his efforts to nurture a new generation of civil rights activists and how American political leaders can support young reformers.
The American Islamic Congress is a civil-rights organization promoting tolerance and the exchange of ideas among Muslims and between other peoples. With the motto "passionate about moderation," the organization leads initiatives around the world and has offices in Washington, Boston, Egypt, and Iraq.
Note: AIC's upcoming panel -- on freedom of the press -- will be held Monday, February 26, in 121 Canon Building on Capitol Hill.
CONTACT: Jina Hassan, +617-266-0080
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