Democracy in Egypt: Can It Wait?

The American Islamic Congress leads a monthly speakers series on Muslim affairs, designed to inform Congressional leaders, Capitol Hill staffers, and the Washington policy community.

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008, 12 pm
122 Cannon Building, Capitol Hill

The US government has struggled to address Egypt's track record in the democracy and human rights spheres. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom in its lastest report documents discrimination towards religious minorities. Freedom House earlier this year urged Egypt to respect free speech after the detention of a leading independent journalist. On October 7, panelists will examine human rights conditions in Egypt and explore obstacles to a democratic Egypt.

Featuring:
Sherif Mansour, Program Officer for Middle East and North Africa, Freedom House

Dr. Dwight Bashir, Senior Analyst, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom

Atef Al-Saadawy, Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow, National Endowment for Democracy

Moderated by:
Zahir Janmohamed: Advocacy Director for Middle East Program, Amnesty International

To view a summary of this event, please click here.

Responses to Violence
Panelists: Amb. Hassouna, Deng Deng Nhial, Suliman Giddo (DPDO), Dr. Bekoe (USIP)

Democracy in Lebanon
Panelists: Firas Maksad (Lebanon Renaissance), Sheikh Maroud Rahal (Shar'ia judge), Tony Badan (FDD), David Schenker (WINEP)

Stopping Trafficking
Mohammad Mattar (Johns Hopkins), Sanam Anderlini, Wenchi Yu Perkins (Vital Voices)

Media in the Muslim World
Omran Salman (Aafaq), Maneeza Hossain (Hudson), Richard Eisendorf (Freedom House)

Movements of Extremism
Ammar Abdulhamid (Tharwa), Mansour Al Haj (Aafaq), Nasser Weddady (HAMSA)

Religious Minorities
Samuel Rizk (Forum for Development), Edouard Al Dahdah (World Bank), Zahir Janmohamed (Amnesty)

Islam vs. Islamism
Hussain Abdul Hussain (Al Rai), Ayse Kadayifci (American Univ.), Dr. Tamara Cofman Wittes (Brookings)