AIC's Capitol Hill Distinguished Speakers Series

Stopping Women Trafficking in the Muslim World

The American Islamic Congress leads a monthly Capitol Hill Distinguished Speakers Series on Muslim affairs, sponsored by the Congressional Religious Freedom and Anti-Terrorism caucuses.

Capitol Tuesday, April 1, 2008
2105 Rayburn Building, Capitol Hill
12 p.m. – Lunch provided

Trafficking in persons is a complex human rights abuse, with individuals trapped in servitude trafficked across borders as well as within their own country. Across the Muslim world, inequalities in both social status and economic opportunity make women particularly vulnerable to this practice. Our forum this month will address: Why are women trafficked? Who are the traffickers? Are women only trafficked for prostitution purposes? Panelists will also discuss recent global advocacy strategies to stop traffic.

Featuring:
Dr. Mohammad Mattar: Executive Director of The Protection Project, Johns Hopkins

Sanam Anderlini: Independent Consultant on Gender, Peace, and Security Issues

Wenchi Yu Perkins: Vice President, Human Rights Programs, Vital Voices Global Partnership

Moderated by:
Zainab Al-Suwaij: Executive Director, American Islamic Congress

The event is free. Kindly RSVP to rother@aicongress.org and include your name, title, and affiliation.

Save the Date: Next panel: "Lebanon’s Deadlock: The Role of the Arab and Muslim World"
May 6 at 121 Cannon Building


	RECENT PANELS

		Media in the Muslim World: Quality Control or Censorship? What is the status of the media in the Muslim world? What is prohibited? Who decides? And how can the US support free media to advance reform in the Muslim world? Panelists: Omran Salman (Aafaq), Maneeza Hossain (Hudson), Richard Eisendorf (Freedom House) Movements of Extremism in the Muslim World How do repressive states nurture extremism? What are grassroots reformers doing in response? Panelists: Ammar Abdulhamid (Tharwa Foundation), Mansour Al Haj (Aafaq), Nasser Weddady (HAMSA-AIC) *Religious Minorities in the Muslim World* What is the status of minorities and why do obstacles to religious freedom remain? Panelists: Samuel Rizk (Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue), Edouard Al Dahdah (World Bank), Zahir Janmohamed (Amnesty International) *Islam vs. Islamism* What is the threat posed by Islamic fundamentalism, and how can Muslims take the lead in countering it? Panelists: Hussain Abdul Hussain (former editor of Beirut Daily Star), Dr. Ayse Kadayifci (American University), Dr. Tamara Cofman Wittes (Brookings Institution)