American Islamic Congress Opens New Office in Cairo
Move Aims to Bolster Bloggers and Free Speech Advocates |
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CAIRO, Egypt, Sept. 13, 2007 - The American Islamic Congress (AIC), an organization founded after the September 11 attacks to promote pluralism and understanding, announced today the opening of an office in Cairo - the first such overseas office for a US Muslim civil rights organization.
The announcement coincides with the start of Ramadan, a month-long period of fasting and introspection. Dalia Ziada, 25, who first came to the attention of AIC after competing in its "Dream Deferred Essay Contest on Civil Rights," was named as Director of AIC-Egypt.
"The Muslim-American agenda is typically defined by overseas communities bringing their issues to the US," said Zainab Al-Suwaij, AIC's Executive Director. "We're reversing that flow. America's pluralism and civic freedoms have enabled Muslims to thrive - and American Muslims need to promote these values in the heart of the Muslim world. Our new Cairo office will further this goal."
AIC-Egypt will focus on three key areas: protecting free expression for blogger-activists, promoting nonviolence and unequivocal denunciation of terrorism, and working to halt abuses against women.
Ziada, who will run the office in Nasr City, is herself a survivor of female genital mutilation and a blogger-activist. As an organizer of the campaign to help free jailed blogger Kareem Amer, she has been interviewed by international media outlets and published in the International Herald Tribune.
"On this week of the anniversary of the 9-11 attacks and the beginning of Ramadan, it is more important than ever to advance human rights programming," said Ziada. "Bloggers in the Middle East are increasingly at risk of arrest, violent extremism is on the rise, and women face growing discrimination. I am determined to take a stand for pluralism, liberty, and equality."
"On September 11, 2001, Cairo-native Mohammad Atta brought his destructive vision to America," noted AIC director Al-Suwaij. "Six years later, the AIC is bringing a creative vision of nonviolence and civil rights to Atta's hometown. This reversal underscores our commitment to religious pluralism and individual rights. Because of our unique experience, American Muslims can be key catalysts for positive reform in the larger Muslim world."
The American Islamic Congress is a leading Muslim civil rights and interfaith organization with offices in Washington, Boston, Basra, and Cairo. See a video interview with Dalia Ziada at right.
Contact: Nasser Weddady, +1.617.266.0080
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