Congressman Brad Sherman sponsored an IDC Roundtable for congressional staff to discuss US policy towards Lebanon with experts Aram Nerguizian and Joseph Bahout. Congressman Sherman stressed the importance of the U.S. Lebanon relationship and curbing Hezbollah's influence. The discussion included how the US can ensure stability and security for religious minorities.

IDC President Toufic Baaklini presented to Congressmen Dave Trott (MI-11) and Glenn Grothman (WI-6) IDC's Congressional Champion Award in recognition for their tireless work for Christians in the Middle East. Congressman Trott, left, continuously fights for the Armenian genocide recognition and to protect Christians in Egypt from persecution. Congressman Grothman's efforts are no different and his leadership supporting Christians in Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and throughout the region is remarkable.

Above: Photo on left: IDC President Toufic Baaklini and Congressman Dave Trott (MI-11). Photo on right: IDC Executive Director Philippe Nassif (left), Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI-6) (Middle), and IDC President Toufic Baaklini (right).

IDC is working with Congressman Pittenger to ensure Christian refugees in the Middle East are receiving the UN services they need, especially those who fled their homes in Syria and Iraq.

IDC Chapters Activities

On April 18, IDC partnered up with the Armenian National Committee of America for the U.S. Capitol Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide and to generate support for House Resolution 220.

Above: IDC National Outreach Associate Steven Howard (left), President Toufic Baaklini (middle) and Executive Director Philippe Nassif (right) had the pleasure of attending the event and showing support to the Armenian community.

On April 6, Government Relations and Policy Associate Peter Burns and Steven Howard had the pleasure of meeting with K.A. Ellis in Washington, D.C. to formally welcome her onto IDC’s Religious Advisory Board and discuss IDC’s 2018 advocacy and outreach goals.

On March 28, IDC was pleased to collaborate up with Students for Religious Liberties at Wheaton College, the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD) and Congressman Randy Hultgren to lead a discussion on actions Americans can take to advocate for the release of American Pastor Andrew Brunson from prison in Turkey.

IDC also presented Congressman Hultgren with the Congressional Champions of IDC Award for his leadership in advocating for Christians in the Middle East in the U.S. Congress.

Above (left to right): Panel Moderator Dr. Kristin Garrett, IDC Board Member and IRD President Mark Tooley, Philippe Nassif and Congressman Randy Hultgren, Congressional Champion of IDC.

On March 23, IDC participated in a meeting of Christian Arab and Middle Eastern Churches Together (CAMECT) to brief Middle Eastern diaspora Christian leaders about current legislation in Congress seeking to support Christians in the Middle East.

Above: IDC President Toufic Baaklini briefs IDC Religious Advisory Board Members Archbishops John Kawak and Oshagan Choloyan on the latest news from Washington.

On March 8, IDC National Outreach Associate Steven Howard met with His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian at the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church in La Crescenta, CA to welcome him onto IDC’s Religious Advisory Board and discuss the development of new IDC Chapters in Southern California.

On March 7, Howard met with the Rev. Berdj Djambazian and pastors with the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America in Glendale, CA to discuss IDC’s mission and growth of chapters in Southern California.

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