| | Dear IDC Friends and Supporters, November was a busy and productive month at IDC. Our active engagement on Capitol Hill resulted in the strong advocacy of Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) during a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. On November 15th, at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on U.S. policy in Sub-Saharan Africa, Rep. Smith highlighted the ongoing anti-Christian violence in Nigeria. The Congressman criticized the State Department's withdrawal of Nigeria's Status as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), and urged its reclassification as a CPC. We thank the office of Congressman Smith for remaining a strong voice in Congress for the persecuted. Coming up on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at noon (EST), IDC and the Philos Project will host a live panel, “Sunni and Shia Jihadism: Different Means, Similar Threats.” The panel will discuss the opposing worldviews of Sunni and Shia jihadists and examine how they affect strategies, tactics, and the persecution of Christians. Please join us (in-person or online) as our experts lead a deep-dive into this critical facet of modern Jihadism, and how policymakers can mitigate the threat extremists pose to vulnerable Christian populations. I am pleased to announce that IDC is launching a podcast! The Middle East Christian Cast will be on all major podcast platforms starting in January 2023. The podcast will explore the dynamics of the Middle East's ancient Christian communities through conversation with the world's foremost experts. We’ll ask the tough questions and engage in candid, thought-provoking discussions spanning a variety of fields, including religion, history, culture, U.S. foreign policy and the Middle East. We hope you will join the conversation. As we enter the Advent season, 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 November, IDC met with Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA), Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, to work on legislative initiatives, particularly the anti-Christian violence in Nigeria. |
| At a November 15, House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on U.S. policy in Sub-Saharan Africa, following IDC's advocacy and advice, several Members raised important questions about the State Department's withdrawal of Nigeria's Status as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), and urged its reclassification as a CPC. |
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| | | IDC ON THE SON RISE MORNING SHOW |
| | Philos Project Research Fellow at IDC, Max Prowant, discusses US foreign policy recommendations on Nigeria |
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| | | Government Relations Associate, William Roberts, speaks on the situation of Christians in Iraq |
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| | | Executive Director, Richard Ghazal, discusses the Turkish airstrikes in Northeastern Syria |
|  | | | Philos Project Research Fellow at IDC, Max Prowant, discusses Sunni and Shia Jihadism, and Christian Persecution |
| | | | | IDC Executive Director, Richard Ghazal, comments on potential dangers for Christians attending the World Cup in Qatar |
|  | “The real danger for Christians,” said Ghazal, “may be in Qatar’s blasphemy laws, which, unlike apostasy laws, apply to all people of all religions and all nationalities–including World Cup fans.” “Visitors at the World Cup risk subjecting themselves to the harsh blasphemy codes if they speak even mildly critically of Islam,” he said. “The law seeks only to prohibit blasphemy against Islam and the Muslim prophet, while hostile and obscene words against Christianity are not regarded as blasphemy.” (The Christian Post) |
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| |  | On Thursday, December 8, 2022 at Noon (ET), In Defense of Christians and the Philos Project will host a live panel, “Sunni and Shia Jihadism: Different Means, Similar Threats.” The panel will discuss the opposing worldviews of Sunni and Shia jihadists and how these affect strategies, tactics, and the persecution of Christians. Please join us as our experts lead a deep-dive into one of the most overlooked and critical facets of modern Jihadism–the contrast between Sunni and Shia Jihadism–and how policymakers can mitigate the threat extremists pose to vulnerable Christian populations. |
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| | IDC PODCAST TO BE RELEASED: JANUARY 2023 |
| |  | IDC's podcast, The Middle East Christian Cast will explore the dynamics of the Middle East's ancient Christian communities through conversation with the world's foremost experts. We’ll ask the tough questions and engage in candid, thought-provoking discussions spanning a variety of fields, including religion, history, culture, U.S. foreign policy and the Middle East. The Middle East Christian Cast is coming to all major podcast platforms in January 2023. We hope you will join the conversation. |
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| | Join IDC's mission by making a tax-deductible donation! |
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