| | Dear Friends, June was an exciting month at IDC! On June 1, IDC formalized its official partnership with the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD). On Captiol Hill, IDC continued its advocacy efforts in support of legislation that calls attention to the genocide of Christians abroad (including the ongoing Armenian Genocide, and the genocide of Christians presently observed in Nigeria). In coordination with Congresswoman Debbie Lesko of (R-AZ), IDC celebrated the introduction of H.Res.472, recognizing the Semele Massacre, and successfully secured multiple cosponsors. On June 8th, IDC hosted Nadine Maenza, President of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat, to discuss the plight of Christians in Syria and the way ahead. We invite you to join us on Thursday, July 27th at 6:00 PM at IDC headquarters in Washington, DC for a discussion on jihadism in Africa, led by Max Prowant, Philos Project Research Fellow at IDC. Click here to register. “In the Middle” podcast episode #4 was released on June 1, and details the history and trials of the Armenian people, church and nation. Episode #5 will drop on July 1. Bishop Gregory Mansour and Amb Edward Gabriel will join me to discuss Lebanon’s Christian character, its unique “message” bridging East and West, and the challenges it has faced historically, and continues to face. "In the Middle" can be found on all major podcast platforms, and YouTube, with new episodes dropping monthly. In May, I had the opportunity to participate at the Middle East Forum 2023 Policy Summit, where I made the case for continued U.S. interest in northeast Syria in light of Turkey's threats to the ancient Syriac Christian community. You can view video of my full remarks here. On June 15, Sayfo Remembrance Day, I shared my reflections in Providence Magazine on the Syriac Genocide and the events—triumphs and tragedies—of the subsequent century. 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 |
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| | In June, IDC continued advocacy efforts in support of legislation, including H.R.2803 and H.Res.82, which call attention to the genocide of Christians abroad, past and present (Armenia and Nigeria, respectively). In coordination with Congresswoman Debbie Lesko of (R-AZ), IDC celebrated the introduction of H.Res.472, recognizing the Semele Massacre of Assyrian Christians in 1933, and successfully secured Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Congressman Josh Harder (D-CA) as cosponsors to the resolution. We will continue to advocate for Members of Congress to support this resolution. IDC also advised Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee ahead of a committee hearing on the State Department and USAID annual budget request for the Middle East and North Africa programs. At the hearing, Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN) posed a question to Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Amb Barbara Leaf, which was drafted and proposed by IDC. The question sought to explore U.S. efforts to counter Iran's proxy terrorism campaign in light of the false sense of stability created by the Iran-Saudi Arabia agreement. |
| | | |  | On June 8th, IDC hosted Nadine Maenza, President of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat. Mrs. Maenza discussed the plight of Christians in Syria and the way ahead. |
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| | | |  | "In the Middle Podcast" Episode #4: Trials of the First Christian Nation Richard and William sat down with Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America, and member of the In Defense of Christians Board of Advisors. They discussed the history and trials of the Armenian people, church and nation. Just days after their conversation, in December 2022, Azerbaijan imposed an illegal blockade on the Lachin Corridor, a critical lifeline which sustains the Armenian Christians in the Republic of Artsakh (also known as Nagorno-Karabakh). The blockade has been in place upwards of seven months, and counting…and continues to inflict untold suffering on over 120,000 native Armenian Christians in Artsakh. |
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|  | IDC executive director Richard Ghazal recently spoke at the Middle East Forum 2023 Policy Summit, and made the case for continued U.S. interest in northeast Syria in light of Turkey's threats to the ancient Syriac Christian community. |
| | | Providence Magazine: Syriacs Signal Hope on this 108th Genocide Anniversary Richard Ghazal
"This success story of pluralism and self-governance unfolding in northeast Syria is organic and natively-generated—almost unheard of in this part of the world. The United States should not miss this rare opportunity to facilitate the full fruition of this unfolding success story. If this positive momentum is forsaken, the westward migration of the Middle East’s final Christians will continue to accelerate with regional extinction as the inevitable conclusion." |
| | | | |  | We invite you to join us on Thursday, July 27th at 6:00 PM at IDC headquarters in Washington, DC for a discussion on confronting jihadism in Africa: lessons from Nigeria and Somalia. This discussion will be presented by Max Prowant, Philos Project Research Fellow at IDC. |
| | | SUPPORT IDC'S MISSION BY MAKING A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION! |
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