March 2022 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Supporters,

In the month of March, IDC held several meetings at the U.S. State Department, including a planning conference the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.  We also met with with the U.S. Commission of International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to discuss upcoming projects in 2022.

IDC continued its congressional outreach by meeting with Senator Kaine (D-VA), Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN), Congressman Drew Ferguson (R-FL), Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ), and Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (R-OK) to discuss emerging opportunities and work on legislative initiatives.

Also in March, IDC and The Philos Project led a delegation to meet representatives at the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, DC, in support of Egypt's historic move to appoint Judge Boulos Fahmy as the first Christian to preside over Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court.

On March 21, IDC issued a press release opposing any potential decision by the Biden Administration to remove the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from the Foreign Terror Organizations list.  According to IDC Executive Director Richard Ghazal, “removal of the FTO designation would constitute an exceptionally dangerous concession to Iran, thereby further endangering the Middle East's remaining Christians.”

On March 30, IDC was invited to deliver a lecture at Georgetown University. Executive Director Richard Ghazal’s lecture focused on the intersection of religion and ethnic identity in the post-Ottoman Middle East.  IDC Charles Malik Research Fellow Deacon Chris Nahra's lecture focused on Abrahamic relations from a theological perspective.

In March, IDC kicked-off its Religious Prisoner of Conscience series, which will run through 2022, highlighting the harrowing stories of those imprisoned for their faith—clergy and lay, past and present.  The series will feature such figures as Archbishops Hanna Ibrahim and Paul Yazigi (Syria), Jimmy Lai (China), Youcef Nadarkhani (Iran), and Leah Sharibu (Nigeria).  The series is aimed at raising awareness of their plight, and encouraging fellow Christians to pray steadfastly for their safety and return home.  You can follow this series on IDC's Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channel.

As we continue to celebrate the holy Lenten season, we ask that you pray for our Christian sisters and brothers 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!

-Tonia Khouri

President & Chairman

 
 

Government Highlights

 

Federal Highlights

This past month, IDC led a planning conference with the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Rashad Hussain. We also met with the U.S. State Department Office of Southern European Affairs and coordinated with USCIRF on upcoming projects in 2022.

 

IDC Letters

IDC was proud to stand with a diverse coalition of civil society, human rights, ethnic, and faith-based organizations to send a letter to President Biden demanding a stop to U.S. arms and aid to Azerbaijan.

IDC was also proud to co-sign a letter urging the reauthorization of The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act which states that "no one should be persecuted on account of their faith" and seeks protection and reparations for those unjustly persecuted.

 
 
 

Congressional Highlights

This past month, IDC had the following congressional meetings to discuss emerging concerns and work on legislative initiatives:

• Senator Kaine (D-VA) 

• Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN)

• Congressman Drew Ferguson (R-FL)

• Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ)

• Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (R-OK)

 
 
 

International Outreach

IDC and The Philos Project met with Egypt's Deputy Chief of Mission, Hatem Elatawy, at the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, DC in support of Egypt's historic move to appoint Judge Boulos Fahmy as the first Christian to preside over Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court.

 

Media Highlights

 

IDC Press Releases

IDC issued a press release opposing any potential decision by the Biden Administration to remove the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from the Foreign Terror Organizations list. "Removal of the FTO designation would constitute a[n]...exceptionally dangerous concession to Iran, thereby further endangering the Middle East's remaining Christians, and subverting U.S. interests in the region."

 
 
 
 

IDC Religious Prisoner of Conscience Project

 

IDC is proud to announce the commencement of the IDC Prisoner of Conscience series, which will highlight the harrowing stories of those imprisoned for their faith—clergy and laymen, past and present.  The series is aimed at raising awareness of their plight, and encouraging fellow Christians to pray steadfastly for their safety and return home.  You can follow this series on IDC's Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channel.

 

IDC launched its monthly Religious Prisoner of Conscience Highlight project with the sharing of Pastor Andrew Brunson's story. Pastor Brunson served two years in a Turkish prison and in his video shared about that experience and why it is important to share Prisoner of Conscience stories.

 
 
 

IDC Media Appearances

IDC's Communications Associate Briann Bardsley appeared on the Son Rise Morning Show to highlight IDC's Religious Prisoner of Conscience project, what it aims to accomplish, and shared the story of Pastor Andrew Brunson.

 

Highlights

 

IDC Executive Director Rich Ghazal and Charles Malik Fellow Deacon Chris Nahra spoke to a class of Georgetown students about the mission and work of IDC, the importance of interreligious dialogue between the Abrahamic faith traditions, and the under-highlighted topic of "Christianaphobia".

 
 
 

This Lenten season, consider making a tax-deductible contribution to IDC's efforts in advocating for persecuted Christian communities in the Middle East and Africa. Our work is dependent on your generosity!

 
 
 

On Thursday, March 17th, IDC commemorated the sixth anniversary of the official recognition of the ISIS Genocide.

 

Opportunities at IDC

 

IDC is looking for talented and dedicated men and women to join our team and advocate for Christians in the Middle East and around the world. To learn more and apply for career and internship opportunities click the button below.

 
 
 
 

In Defense of Christians
1023 15th St NW Suite #200  | Washington, District of Columbia 20005
(202) 351-6195 | info@indefenseofchristians.org

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