| | Dear Friends, July was a productive month at IDC. Government relations associate William Roberts engaged with congressional offices on a variety of legislative initiatives, successfully securing multiple co-sponsorships for H.Res.82 (Nigeria response), H.Res.472 (Semele Massacre recognition), H.Res.554 (support for genocide survivors in Iraq). IDC's close work with the office of Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has resulted in the introduction of bipartisan legislation by Senator Blackburn and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) urging the European Union to strengthen its sanctions regime against Hezbollah. The House version of the resolution, H.Res.599, was introduced by Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). On July 27, IDC hosted Max Prowant, Philos Project Research Fellow at IDC, for a discussion examining jihadism in Africa. You can watch the full event here. On July 1, Episode #5 of the IDC podcast “In the Middle” was released. This episode, entitled “Lebanon’s Message,” gave me the opportunity to sit down with Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Saint Maron in Brooklyn, NY, and Ambassador Edward Gabriel, President of the American Task Force on Lebanon. We discussed Lebanon’s Christian character, its unique “message” bridging East and West, and the challenges it has faced historically, and continues to face. IDC invites you to join us at March for the Martyrs 2023! This year, IDC is proud to partner with our friends at March for the Martyrs to bring you a two-day event, leading advocacy and building awareness in our nation’s Capital and beyond! Mark your calendars for September 29 – 30, and REGISTER TODAY! - Day 1: IDC Capitol Hill Advocacy Day; Spend the day advocating in Congress on behalf of persecuted Christians.
- Day 2: March for the Martyrs; Join us as we march across our nation’s Capital in solidarity with our persecuted brethren, and join us for a spiritually and intellectually moving evening of expert speakers and prayer.
As we head into August, 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 July IDC engaged with congressional offices on issues across our advocacy, successfully securing co-sponsorships for H.Res.82, H.Res.472, H.Res.554. Through our persistent lobbying efforts, the Chair of the Subcommittee on Africa, Rep. John James (R-MI) cosponsored H.Res.82, bringing a valuable supporter onboard with this resolution. At a congressional hearing on the dire state of religious freedom around the world held by the Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, Christian persecution in Nigeria and the lack of accountability by the Nigerian government were central themes to the remarks of Rep. Christopher Smith, the sponsor of H.Res.82. IDC advised members of the Subcommittee to ask questions regarding U.S. policy towards religious freedom violations in Nigeria, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. You can view the entire hearing here. H.Res.554 affirms the importance of U.S. support for the religious minorities of Iraq and was introduced by Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) at the end of June and has been added to IDC's legislative agenda for the 118th Congress. Rep. Mike Lawler co-sponsored this resolution as a result of IDC advocacy. Additionally Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar co-sponsored H.Res.472, which recognizes the Semele Massacre of 1933, in response to our advocacy efforts. Beyond our advocacy on Capitol Hill, IDC attended a conference at the Wilson Center on regaining Lebanon's sovereignty and was accompanied by a policy paper by former Ambassador David Hale which can be reviewed here. IDC's advocacy efforts with Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) have resulted in the introduction of legislation urging the European Union to strengthen its sanctions regime against Hezbollah. Senator Blackburn has introduced the bi-partisan legislation S.Res.299 along with Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV). The House version of the resolution, H.Res.599, was introduced by Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). This resolution urges the European Union to strengthen its sanctions regime against Hezbollah. |
| | MARCH FOR THE MARTYRS 2023 |
| |  | In Defense of Christians (IDC) and For the Martyrs (FTM) are pleased to invite you to join us at the 2023 March for the Martyrs, September 29 -30, in Washington, DC. The March for the Martyrs is an opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for our Christian brothers and sisters suffering for their faith around the world. This bold march through our nation’s Capital is a call for unity and tangible action on behalf of persecuted Christians worldwide. This year, IDC is proud to partner with our friends at March for the Martyrs to bring you a two-day event, leading advocacy and building awareness in our nation’s Capital and beyond! Mark your calendars for September 29 – 30. When registering, be sure to select the option which includes participation in "Hill Day" on September 29. We look forward to seeing you! |
| | Day 1: IDC Capitol Hill Advocacy Day Spend the day advocating in Congress on behalf of persecuted Christians. |
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Day 2: March for the Martyrs Join us as we march across nation's Capital in solidarity with our persecuted brethren. |
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| | | |  | "In the Middle" Podcast Episode #5: Lebanon's Message IDC's Richard Ghazal sat down with Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Saint Maron in Brooklyn, NY, and Ambassador Edward Gabriel, President of the American Task Force on Lebanon. They discussed Lebanon’s Christian character, its unique “message” bridging East and West, and the challenges it has faced historically, and continues to face. |
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| | American Engagement in the New Middle East
William Roberts
"The U.S. can still promote regional stability within this emerging Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape by working with our partners to build a more stable and diverse Arab world. The current course of U.S. policy will result in a gradual decline of U.S. influence while the region continues to grow more hostile to U.S. interests and engagement. Focusing on the difficult issues that matter the most could have a better pay off down the road with a more stable and diverse Arab world without having to burn down America’s already damaged moral credibility." |
| | | |  | Listen in to "Confronting Jihadism in Africa: Lessons from Nigeria and Somalia." This in-depth analysis is presented by Max Prowant, Philos Project Research Fellow at IDC. |
| | | SUPPORT IDC'S MISSION BY MAKING A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION! |
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