| Dear Friends, IDC had a very active month of September! On Friday, September 29, In Defense of Christians (IDC) hosted Capitol Hill Advocacy Day. Throughout the day, scores of IDC’s volunteer-advocates from across the United States crisscrossed Capitol Hill, attending over two-dozen bipartisan meetings in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, advocating for targeted legislation to support and protect Christians of the Middle East. The day culminated with an afternoon press conference on Capitol Hill to address the media on international Christian persecution, with special spotlight on the genocide happening TODAY against Armenian Christians in Nagorno-Karabakh. IDC was pleased to be joined by partner organizations, including For the Martyrs, the Armenian National Committee of America, and the 120,000 Reasons Coalition in demanding that President Biden stop funding the genocidal Azeri military with U.S. tax dollars. Several Members of Congress were present at the press conference and took a bold stand in solidarity with IDC, including: Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46), Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-6), Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-4), and Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11). In September, IDC released its latest podcast episode featuring Dr. Franck Salameh, Professor of Middle East history, culture, and political thought at Boston College. We discussed the rich ethno-religious-linguistic diversity that comprises the Middle Eastern mosaic, and arrived at to the ultimate question, “What is an Arab Christian?” Also in September, Shaheryar Gill, Senior Counsel at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) joined us to discuss the history of persecution faced by Christians in Pakistan, deconstruct Pakistan blasphemy laws, and provide an update on the recent spike in violence against Christian communities and houses of worship. 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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