Dear Friends,

January was an exciting month at IDC.  The 118th Congress is now in full swing.  With IDC’s counsel and advice, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) has introduced legislation (H. Res. 82) urging the State Department to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and calling for the appointment of a special envoy to monitor the crisis.  We’re also hard at work on the Hill, advocating for bipartisan legislation to address the issue of demographic decline of Christians throughout the Middle East.

In January, IDC, along with the “Save Karabakh” Coalition and seven bipartisan Members of Congress, held a joint press conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in solidarity with our Armenian Christian brothers and sisters in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) due to Azerbaijan’s two-month long blockade.

IDC is excited to launch its podcast, In the Middle: A Podcast on Christianity in the Middle East, where we'll explore questions of history, religion, culture, and policy that affects the ancient and indigenous Christian communities of the Middle East.  In the Middle set to launch in February on all major podcast platforms, with new episodes dropping monthly.  We look forward to having you tune in!

As we continue into 2023, 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!

Sincerely,

Richard Ghazal

Executive Director

 The 118th Congress is now in full swing with  IDC's priorities receiving swift attention.

Rep. Christopher Smith has introduced legislation (H. Res. 82) urging the State Department to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. The resolution also calls for the appointment of a special envoy to monitor and combat human rights violations in the region and is co-sponsored by Rep. French Hill and Rep. Henry Cuellar.

We have also engaged with offices on the issue of demographic decline of Christians throughout the Middle East and we are coordinating a bipartisan effort to introduce legislation directing the State Department to monitor the factors contributing to demographic decline and report their findings to Congress annually. We have accomplished all of this before the House Foreign Affairs Committee has convened and we are eager for the committee to resume its work. 

In January, IDC met with Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Rep. French Hill (R-AR), Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Rep. Thomas Kean (R-NJ). 

In January, IDC joined the Save Karabakh Coalition, in holding a press conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, calling on the Biden Administration to stop U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan and send emergency aid to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).  This call is in response to the devastating humanitarian crisis in Artsakh caused by Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor.

The Save Karabakh Coalition was joined by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Rep. David Valadao (R-CA), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY).  The press conference also featured former U.S. Ambassador for Religious Freedom, Amb Sam Brownback, and Artsakh Representative to the U.S. Mr. Robert Avetisyan.

IDC stands with its Armenian Christian brothers and sisters during this dark time, and is committed to supporting anti-blockade legislation, set to be introduced in the U.S. House.  Christians around the world must speak out against Azerbaijan’s crimes against humanity.

On January 31 and February 1, IDC participated in the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit in Washington, DC.  Among the many persecuted ethnic and religious minority groups present, and government and civil society representatives, Ms. Nazira Gawriye (Co-President of the Autonomous Administration of Northeast Syria, Jazira Region) presented a briefing on the situation of Syriac Christians in northeast Syria since the ISIS Genocide.  Also at the Summit, Ms. Gawriye met with various U.S. government officials and foreign leaders to share the successes and opportunities of her community.