May was an exciting month at IDC. On the Hill, IDC advocate William Roberts advocated against H.Con.Res.20, which seeks to threaten the U.S. partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syriac Military Council in their shared mission to defeat ISIS. IDC emphasized the importance of continued U.S. support for the mission to prevent a return of ISIS.
IDC also continued its active support for H.Res.82, which would urge the Biden administration to address the violence against Christians in Nigeria. IDC met with the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Rep. John James (R-MI), and the resolution's original sponsor, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who also chairs the Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, to discuss the resolution's progress. IDC also engaged with congressional offices to (re)introduce legislation recognizing the Simele Massacre, and to urge EU sanctions on Hezbollah—each expected to be introduced in the coming weeks.
In May, IDC issued a press release lauding the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for the release of its 2023 Annual Report, and calling on the Biden Administration to restore Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern. IDC further called on the Biden Administration to appoint a special envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad region to monitor the situation on the ground for reporting and close diplomatic engagement.
IDC co-led the "Save Karabakh Coalition" letter, sent to Swiss Foreign Minister, Ignazio Cassis (as Switzerland currently holds the presidency of the UN Security Council), urging UNSC action to protect the besieged people of Artsakh.
In the May episode of the “In the Middle Podcast,” I sat down with Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Maroite Church and Professor Jeanne-Nicole Saint-Laurent of Marquette University to discuss the early Church, the unique characteristics of Syriac Christianity, and the contributions and legacies of the early Church Fathers.
On May 19th, IDC hosted a Learn at Lunch event featuring Dr. Robert Rabil of Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Rabil discussed how to preserve Lebanon’s role as a free bastion of Christianity. Just days following the event, Dr. Robil and I were quoted in an Algemeiner article about Lebanon.
We invite you to join us on June 8 at 6:00 PM at IDC headquarters in Washington, DC for dinner and discussion on the plight of Christians in Syria and the way head, presented by Nadine Maenza, IDC board member and president of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat. Click here for more information and to register.
As we head into summer, we ask that you continue to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters who face ever-growing persecution and violence around the world. Also, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to IDC's efforts in advocating for persecuted Christian communities in the Middle East and around the world. Our work is dependent on your generosity!
Richard Ghazal,
Executive Director
