EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Dear Friends, 

I am happy to report that IDC continues to log achievements following September’s Capitol Hill Advocacy Day.  As a result of IDC’s effort on Capitol Hill, Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI-06) and Congressman Michael Lawler (R-NY-17) announced their cosponsorship on H.Res.82 (pressuring the White House to take action to curb violence against Christians in Nigeria).  IDC also took action against legislation in the House of Representatives that would abandon Christians in Lebanon and Iraq.  The two amendments offered by Congressman Greg Steube (R-FL-17) would’ve prohibited U.S. assistance to Iraq and the Lebanese Armed Forces. I’m pleased to report that both amendments were defeated in the House.  During the month of October, IDC's William Roberts met with the congressional offices that voted in favor of these amendments to emphasize America’s critical work in Lebanon and Iraq.  We’ve also continued to aggressively advocate for the U.S. to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its war crimes against the Armenians Christians or Artsakh.

In October, I had the opportunity to participate in a Congressional briefing with the American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC) briefing on Capitol Hill.  I presented a deep-dive presentation into the history, role and threatened status of Oriental Orthodoxy in the Middle East and north and east Africa.

Please check out my article in Providence Magazine which discusses the challenges Christians face in the Middle East, and their limited freedom to voice moral convictions.  Also check out William Roberts’ piece analyzing the impact of American political wrangling on U.S. foreign policy. 

Finally, I’d like to invite you to join us for a dinner on December 7 in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).  At the dinner, we’ll have the opportunity to hear the reflections and insights of the world’s foremost experts on human rights and the Christian intellectual tradition.  This will be a live in-person dinner event; the speaker portion will be live streamed on Facebook and Twitter.  Please RSVP to sstewart@theird.org.  We hope you can join us!

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

 

IDC ON THE HILL

 

IDC continues to log achievements following September’s Capitol Hill Advocacy Day.  As a result of IDC’s effort on Capitol Hill, Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI-06) and Congressman Michael Lawler (R-NY-17) announced their cosponsorship on H.Res.82 (pressuring the White House to take action to curb violence against Christians in Nigeria).  IDC also took action against legislation in the House of Representatives that would abandon Christians in Lebanon and Iraq.  Two amendments offered by Congressman Greg Steube (R-FL-17) would’ve prohibited U.S. assistance to Iraq and the Lebanese Armed Forces. I’m pleased to report that both amendments were defeated in the House.  During the month of October, IDC met with the congressional offices that voted for these amendments to emphasize America’s critical work in Lebanon and Iraq.  We’ve also continued to aggressively advocate for the U.S. to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its war crimes against the Armenians Christians or Artsakh.

 

IDC has also encouraged Representatives and Senators to urge Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to visit Armenia to deter further aggression from Azerbaijan. IDC continues to advocate for the following bills to hold Azerbaijan accountable for the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh: H.R.5686 introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ-04), H.R.5683 introduced by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), and its Senate counterpart S.2900.

 

Following last month's decision by the Biden administration to withhold foreign military financing from Egypt for human rights violations, IDC anticipates upcoming congressional action to demonstrate U.S. support for the Coptic Christians in Egypt. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with our congressional and coalition partners in our advocacy efforts.

 

Richard Ghazal participated in a Congressional briefing with the American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC) briefing on Capitol Hill.  Richard presented a deep-dive presentation into the history, role and threatened status of Oriental Orthodoxy in the Middle East and north and east Africa.

 

IDC MEDIA

The American Conservative: Pulled from the Pit in Beirut

Written by Andrew Doran 

"The Marine commander was awake most of the night, checking on his men at guard posts spread across the sprawling peacekeeping complex near the Beirut airport. Attacks had escalated and the Marines were on heightened alert. It was after midnight on October 23, 1983. Most of Lieutenant Colonel Larry Gerlach’s men slept. Nearby, other young men were awake in the same darkness preparing for suicide and murder."

 
 

Providence Magazine: The Moral Clarity of Christian Hostages in their Homeland

Written by Richard Ghazal

"The grim reality is that Christians of the Middle East have been forced to abdicate their free agency for any chance of survival.  Christian community leaders and clergy in the Middle East exert painstaking effort to maintain their communities’ existential buoyancy and should be shown grace for not always making bold public expressions of indignation against the crimes of their oppressors.  Even at the pulpit, Christian clergy have their statements—and omissions—closely scrutinized by Arab intelligence services and Islamist enforcers."

 

Providence Magazine: House Republicans Risk America’s Security for Performative Politics

Written by William Roberts

"These programs are crucial elements of American strategy to build the conditions for a more stable Middle East. Whenever House Republicans return to the business of governing, they must also address this debate responsibly and coherently with regard to U.S. foreign policy objectives. Otherwise, we will only see more irresponsible policy proposals written as a means of self-promotion for House Republicans. If the MAGA House Republicans get their way and pass one of these ill-conceived proposals, no presidential administration could prepare to meaningfully address damage to America’s reputation, influence, and national security." 

 

EVENTS

 
 

 Our work is made possible by your support and generosity! 

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.

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