For Immediate Release:
AAF Joins Groups That Oppose Religious Freedom Commission Appointment
New commissioner believes ‘operationally, Islam is not peaceful.’
(Washington, D.C., April 12, 2012) – Over forty groups and individuals today sent a letter to U.S. Senators Inouye, McConnell and Durbin expressing deep concern over the appointment of Dr. Zuhdi Jasser to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The groups asked that Jasser’s nomination be rescinded. Jasser’s appointment was made by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
[See the full text of the letter and list of signatories here.]
In the letter the groups said the following:
“The USCIRF promotes the freedom of religion and belief and it seeks to combat religious extremism, intolerance, and repression throughout the world. In contrast with these laudable goals, Dr. Jasser believes ‘…operationally, Islam is not peaceful.’ His consistent support for measures that threaten and diminish religious freedoms within the United States demonstrates his deplorable lack of understanding of and commitment to religious freedom and undermines the USCIRF’s express purpose.”
American Arab Forum, AAF, is a think tank based in Paterson, New Jersey. AAF specializes in media and legislative advocacy on issues relevant to Arab and Muslim Americans.
