2010 – Page 14 – Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

Independence Begins with Freedom from Hate and Fear

Once again, America finds itself commemorating another Independence Day. We recognize this day as the day when people of the English colonies in America could no longer live under rule of England. We associate American independence with July 4, 1776, and our Declaration of Independence. We remember this as the day that people officially declared themselves not to be British subjects, but to be free Americans.

Americans celebrate the day with picnics, flags, fireworks, and gatherings with family and friends. We live in this moment of freedom and enjoy this day.

I also reflect on our founding fathers’ vision on this day. I reflect on the moral courage in their declaration of freedom not only for America but for all humanity in the Declaraion of Independence.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”

In the past year in our human rights efforts with Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.), I have had great successes meeting with individuals of every identity group, every political cause, every race, gender, religion, that share our common commitment to such unalienable rights, and share our common commitment to challenging those who would take these away from us in America or anywhere in the world. From Muslim-Americans supporting democracy, women’s rights, and religious freedom to far-left Americans defying religious extremist views, I have found Americans who are truly united in this consensus in every religion, color, gender, and from both the right and the left. Political pundits may find stories of our political polarization to be interesting, but they neglect our greater consensus that we always had on the truths that we find self-evident. Most Americans hold fast to these truths and they believe in equality and liberty.

Many have concerns about groups that wish to do Americans harm and that seek to take our rights away. But we can never fall into the trap of letting our concerns and challenges become hate and fear.

Our independence and human rights mean nothing as long as we are enslaved to hate and fear.

Some believe that we can be enslaved to hate as Americans. A year ago, the press reported an American citizen expressed such views to his European friends that hate was “natural, normal and necessary,” and that “compassionate nations” would “die.” Those were the words of James Von Brunn to his friends, Nazi supporters in Germany, before his June 10, 2009 terrorist attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

As long as we are enslaved to hate, we have no independence. As long as hate rules our lives, we will never be free, no matter how we can justify such hatred to people of other identity groups, religions, races, genders, and ethnic groups. Hate destroys all, and it destroys our very freedoms. Hate is un-American.

Some also believe that we can be enslaved to fear as Americans. In an era of mass terrorist attacks, fear has gained more power than ever before in American history. We know that ultimately there is no way to stop the “lone wolf” terrorist with a single bomb, or even a private plane as the terrorist Joseph Stack proved in Austin, Texas. We also know that we have been incredibly lucky to have had few attacks on the U.S. homeland since 9/11.

But we have had more than luck. We have had many dedicated American law enforcement and government individuals giving their lives to ensure Americans’ safety, and there has been a massive network of volunteers who have kept their eyes open for Americans. We also not forget the power of teamwork and trust among Americans. We must not forget that on May 1, Muslims and non-Muslims together helped to notify the police to prevent the Times Square bombing.

As long as we are a UNITED States of America, we are bound by the same common cause of our democracy, our human rights, and our shared survival. We must not allow the power of trust and power of unity to be disintegrated by fear.

As long as we are enslaved to fear, we have no independence. As long as fear rules our lives, we will never be free, no matter how we try to justify such fear of people of other identity groups, religions, races, genders, and ethnic groups. Fear destroys all, and it destroys our very freedoms. Fear is un-American.

America is the land of the free and the home of the brave.

On this Independence Day, let’s remember this and let’s break the chains that enslave many Americans to hate and fear. Declare independence from hate and fear in our lives.

Let’s stand up for such freedom and bravery to the world.

Show the world what it really means to be an American.

DC: Protests Outside Iranian Interests Building: Stop the Stoning of Sakineh Ashtiani

On July 2, 2010, in Washington DC, outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy, Washington DC area demonstrators called for the Iranian government to stop the stoning of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year old woman, who has been convicted of adultery in the Islamic Republic of Iran and condemned to death by stoning. R.E.A.L. urges the public to express their voice in an online petition demanding that Iran stops the stoning of Sakineh Ashtiani and ends stoning in Iran.

Iran: Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani to be Stoned for Adultery

The DC protest demonstration, promoted by Mission Free Iran, was led by Washington DC human rights activist Maria Rohaly. Demonstrators included Iranians who have moved to America, supporters of the group Human Rights & Secular Democracy For Iran, and supporters of the volunteer human rights group Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.).

Iran Human Rights Activist Maria Rohaly Calls for Freedom for Sakineh Ashtiani and An End to Stoning

July 2, 2010: Washington DC - Activists Protest outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy

Outside of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy, human rights activist Maria Rohaly read a protest statement calling for ending of stoning in Iran: “We are gathered here today in response to the plight of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and her children.” Maria Rohaly stated that her children “have called upon the world for help to save their mother’s life. We in Washington DC tell them that we feel their pain and we know their grief. We want them to know that they are not alone in their sorrow and their anguish. Dear children, your letter has raised a wave of sympathy and compassion, demonstrating that humanity is alive. Today, we loudly declare: 1. First the stoning verdict against Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani should be discarded. Execution is murder by the state. 2. Stoning is the most savage and most merciless form of execution and should be abolished, must be abolished in Iran and worldwide. 3. Third, sexual relationships between adults are private matters and no individuals, no institutions, and especially, no government, has the right to interfere in these matters. 4. Fourth, we strongly condemn the Islamic Republic [of Iran] for its barbaric implementation of stoning, execution, and torture… we call upon all international institutions as well as the United Nations and the European Union to strongly condemn the Islamic Republic and demand that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s stoning verdict be overturned, as well as verdicts of all others that [Iran] plans stoning and executions. 5. We use this opportunity to demand immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Zeinab Jalalian. 6. The Islamic Republic of Iran’s leaders must be prosecuted and punished in an international court on charges of stoning and executions of tens of thousands of people. No to execution, no to stoning, and no to murderous laws.”

YouTube Video of Maria Rohaly’s Statement in Washington DC

Demonstrators protested alongside Wisconsin Avenue and alerted motorists and pedestrians to the stoning threat to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtianii. Some of the protesters also marched from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Interest Section of the Pakistan Embassy at 2209 Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest to Dupont Circle to distribute fliers to the public on this issue and urge them to contact their governments on the barbaric acts of stoning that have taken place, and are planned to take place in Iran.

Additional photographs of the Washington DC July 2 Protest are online at these Picasa web site.

An international campaign led by Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s children has sought to alert the world to this and call upon the Iranian government to quash her conviction, which was obtained after she was lashed 99 times. Demonstrators also condemned the barbaric practice of stoning and the inequality of women in Iran. According to the Guardian, “Under Iranian sharia law, the sentenced individual is buried up to the neck (or to the waist in the case of men), and those attending the public execution are called upon to throw stones.” CNN, Radio Free Europe/Radio Free Liberty, the Daily Mail, and other media have reported on this story. Mission Free Iran, the Human Rights & Secular Democracy For Iran group, International Committee Against Stoning, and R.E.A.L. have sought to publicize the campaign to stop the stoning of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.

Mission Free Iran promoted the event with a blog article “STOP the STONING of Sakine Mohammadi,” and has also been promoting additional global protests in London (July 2), Toronto (July 4), and Cologne, Germany (July 4). The Human Rights & Secular Democracy For Iran group has held a number of Washington DC human rights events for Iran, including a March 7 event recognizing the need for women’s equality in Iran on International Women’s Day, and a February 11 event in solidarity with women and students in support of Iranian democracy. R.E.A.L. has tried to publicize the continuing plight of stoning in Iran and other parts of the world, and has held multiple awareness events on stoning corresponding to the film released last summer, “The Stoning of Soraya M.,” including a public awareness campaign in Washington DC’s Georgetown. R.E.A.L. supporters have also tried to have home gatherings to watch the DVD release of that film in March 2010.

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Mission Free Iran Published Statement for Washington DC Event

Friday July 2 at 6pm in front of the Islamic Republic’s Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy (2209 Wisconsin Ave NW, Wash DC).

The children of Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani have reached out to the world with a heart-rending appeal: Protest against our mother’s stoning!

Mission Free Iran is organizing Washington DC’s participation in the global protest to respond to the appeal of Sakine’s children and demand a stop to the barbaric execution of Sakine by stoning.

We will meet in front of the Islamic Republic’s Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy at 6pm on Friday, July 2, 2010 to tell the Islamic Republic that we will not stay silent while one more woman is stoned to death in Iran. We will later walk to DuPont Circle and raise awareness of Sakine’s situation in the community.

Please feel free to bring your own signs with messages protesting the barbaric and criminal stoning act that the Islamic Republic has planned for our sister, Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani.

* We will demand freedom for Sakine.
* We will demand an end to stoning, and to all executions in Iran.
* We will demand removal of the Islamic Republic from the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
* We will demand that the Islamic Republic be put on trial in international court for its crimes against humanity.

There will be an open mike so that anyone who wishes to speak may express themselves.

“He said his mother was an outspoken critic of the regime and especially Khomeini from day one. She was a teacher and had spoken against the regime and authorities at work. “One day when we were all having lunch, they stormed in and took my mother with them … it all happened so quickly. It didn’t even take two weeks when, one day, they announced in the town ‘come and witness a women being stoned.’ That woman was my mother.”

He said that with fear and in a state of shock, he went and from a distance witnessed his mother being stoned to death… he believes though that his mother was still alive when buried. This man has sent me his indictment against the savage thuggery of this anti-human, fascist regime, to be introduced to an international court.”
– Rescue Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani, Prosecute Leaders of the Islamic Republic! by Mina Ahadi

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Additional Activism to Challenge Groups Promoting Stoning

The international Hizb ut-Tahrir group held a demonstration on June 22 in Indonesia supporting calls for stoning, and we reject such views. On World AIDS day, Hizb ut-Tahrir also called for stonings as the answer to AIDS. The American branch of Hizb ut-Tahrir is planning to meet in a Chicago suburb on July 18 or 25 at an undetermined location, after the Chicago Oak Brook Marriott canceled hosting their Hizb ut-Tahrir America conference on July 11. R.E.A.L. has challenged Hizb ut-Tahrir’s views on stoning, and Hizb ut-Tahrir America’s objections to democracy and religious freedom. R.E.A.L. has invited DC area Muslims in support of democracy and religious freedom to join them at the R.E.A.L. July 11 Lincoln Memorial event at 2 PM to demonstrate their support for our human rights, and challenge Hizb ut-Tahrir’s views.

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stand with our fellow human beings in defense of our Universal Human Rights.

We urge all – Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

Iran: Stop the Stoning of Sakine Ashtiani

Human rights activists around the world are condemning the Islamic Republic of Iran court’s decision to stone Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani for adultery. We condemn this barbaric and inhuman practice and demand that the U.S. government and international justice and human rights groups speak out on this. We demand that the Islamic Republic of Iran ENDS this inhuman practice of stoning.

Protests are being held in Washington DC and London on July 2 and in Toronto and Cologne Germany on July 4. The international point of contact is maria.rohaly@gmail.com

The Washington DC protests on July 2 beginning at 6 PM will be held at the Islamic Republic of Iran Interest area of the Pakistan Embassy at 2209 Wisconsin Ave N.W., Washington DC. The protest organizers state that the event will include “Walk to DuPont Circle to read demands and share information with the community about Sakine Mohammadi, Zeinab Jalalian, and removing the Islamic Republic from the UN Commission on the Status of Women.”

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Protest Statement for Washington DC Event

Friday July 2 at 6pm in front of the Islamic Republic’s Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy (2209 Wisconsin Ave NW, Wash DC).

The children of Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani have reached out to the world with a heart-rending appeal: Protest against our mother’s stoning!

Mission Free Iran is organizing Washington DC’s participation in the global protest to respond to the appeal of Sakine’s children and demand a stop to the barbaric execution of Sakine by stoning.

Please feel free to bring your own signs with messages protesting the barbaric and criminal stoning act that the Islamic Republic has planned for our sister, Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani.

There will be an open mike so that anyone who wishes to speak may express themselves.

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— International Committee Against Stoning Protest Letter

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News Media Reports:

CNN: Iran: Death by stoning imminent for Iranian woman, attorney says
— CNN: “Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani, a mother of two, is waiting to die in Iran by a method of execution described by her lawyer as ‘barbaric’ — stoning.”
— “She will be buried up to her chest, deeper than a man would be, and the stones that will be hurled at her will be large enough to cause pain but not so large as to kill her immediately, according to an Amnesty International report that cited the Iranian penal code.”
— “The 42-year-old woman from the northern city of Tabriz was convicted of adultery in 2006, and her execution is imminent, said prominent human rights lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei.”
— “Ashtiani was forced to confess after being subjected to 99 lashes, Mostafaei said Thursday in a telephone interview from Tehran.”

— Daily Mail: ‘Help us save our mother’: Pleas from the children of ‘adulterous’ Iranian woman who faces death by stoning

— Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty: Fear For Iranian Woman Facing Death By Stoning
— RFE/RL: “According to Article 83 of the Laws of Islamic Punishment in Iran, ratified in 1991, the penalty for adultery is death by stoning.”

— Ynet – Iran: Children appeal for help in saving mother from execution
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Other Global Protests

LONDON, England: Friday July 2, 18:00-21:00 outside the Islamic Republic Embassy, 16 Prince’s Gate, London SW7 1PT, تلفن اطلاعات: 07515732665

KÖLN (Cologne), Germany: Sunday July 4, Mourning Mothers will gather at the Church Door in the City Center at 11am to protest the threatened executions of Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani and Zeinab Jalalian.

TORONTO, Canada: Sunday July 4, Community Fair at the Toronto Pride Week festivities; activities will consist of handing out fliers and talking to the community about stopping the stoning of Sakine. (more details forthcoming)

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Washington DC Protests Logistics Information

The Washington DC protests on July 2 beginning at 6 PM will be held at the Islamic Republic of Iran Interest area of the Pakistan Embassy at 2209 Wisconsin Ave N.W., which is in the vicinity of the Dupont Circle or Woodley Park/Adams Morgan subway stops (Red Line); however, note this may be a significant walk. Walking should take about 45 minutes. See detailed walking directions below.

The protest organizers state that the event will include “Walk to DuPont Circle to read demands and share information with the community about Sakine Mohammadi, Zeinab Jalalian, and removing the Islamic Republic from the UN Commission on the Status of Women.”

Google Street Map Area of 2209 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington DC

Washington DC: Street Map Showing Area Around 2209 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.

Google Walking Directions from:
— Dupont Circle Metro Stop (1525 20th Street Northwest, Washington, DC) to 2209 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC

1.   Head north on 20th St NW toward Q St NW   33 ft
2.   Turn left at Q St NW       1.1 mi
3.   Turn right at Wisconsin Ave NW 0.7 mi
Destination will be on the right

Walking Directions Map from Dupont Circle

Google Walking Directions from:
— Woodley Park/Adams Morgan Metro Stop (2700 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC) to 2209 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC

1.   Head southeast on Connecticut Ave NW toward Woodley Rd NW 207 ft
2.   Turn right at Woodley Rd NW 0.3 mi
3.   Continue onto Garfield St NW 0.5 mi
4.   Turn left at 34th St NW   0.2 mi
5.   Turn right at Massachusetts Ave NW 246 ft
6.   Turn left at Observatory Cir NW   0.3 mi
7.   Continue onto Calvert St NW   0.1 mi
8.   Turn left at Wisconsin Ave NW 0.3 mi
Destination will be on the left

Washington DC - Street View of Intersection of Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. and W Place, N.W.

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South Carolina: White Nationalist Group Promotes Confederate and Gadsden Flags

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) rejects the symbols of division and hate, and rejects the views of “white nationalism.”

On June 26, 2010, the white nationalist, anti-Semitic group Occidental Dissent held a rally in South Carolina promoting the Confederate Flag. In their rally, they jointly waved the Confederate Flag and the Gadsden Flag together.

The Occidental Dissent group claims to seek “the creation of a Jew-free, racially exclusive White ethnostate in North America” The group also has a history of seeking to deny women’s rights, and has publicly stated its goals are to infiltrate political organizations to promote “white nationalism.”

South Carolina: White Nationalist, Anti-Semitic Group Occidental Dissent Flies Confederate and Gadsden Flags Together (Photo: YouTube)

One of the speakers at the event referred to the NAACP as the “National Association of Retarded People” to laughter from the crowd.

South Carolina: Pro-Confederate Speaker Attacks NAACP as "National Association for Retarded People" to Crowd Laughter (Photo: YouTube)

The Occidental Dissent views that the “Ku Klux Klan is an authentic expression of American nationalism.” The Virginia-headquartered Occidental Dissent has been seeking to reach out to the Ku Klux Klan in Virginia, as well as the white supremacist Council of Conservative Citizens, (CofCC), the Nazi skinhead Volksfront group, and the American Renaissance, for the promotion of white nationalism and anti-Semitism.

Our Children Must Learn the Symbols of Hope and Unity, Not Hate and Division (Photo: YouTube)

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights, equality and liberty for all. R.E.A.L. rejects racism, rejects anti-Semitism, and rejects hate and intolerance. On August 28, 2009, R.E.A.L. called for an end to promotion of symbols of division and hate, at the Robert E. Lee Memorial.

Our children need to be taught messages of hope and unity, not ones of hate and division.

Our message to groups that promote symbols of hate and division is consistently the same…

Choose Love, Note Hate. Love Wins.

R.E.A.L. Video to Occidental Dissent White Nationalists at Holocaust Memorial Museum Attack Remembrance – Choose Love, Not Hate

Chicago: Anti-Democracy Hizb ut-Tahrir Group on Cancellation

After Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) reported on June 28 about the cancellation of the Hizb ut-Tahrir America conference at the Oak Brook Marriott – on Thursday night, June 30, Hizb ut-Tahrir notified its supporters, stating:

“Due to unavoidable circumstances, the date and the venue of the Khilafah Conference are being changed. We are currently in the final stages of finalizing the new date and venue. Given the significance of the fall of the Khilafah on 28 Rajab, 1342 Hijri, it is very important that the Khilafah Conference take place in Rajab or around it. The new date of the Khilafah Conference will be either Sunday, July 18, 2010 or Sunday, July 25, 2010. Please keep visiting www.hizb-america.org for more details on the new date and venue of the Khilafah Conference. We will also provide more details on the circumstances leading to the change in date and venue.”

Hizb ut-Tahrir America also states that it will update its Facebook web page for the event “Khilafah Conference (USA) 2010- EMERGING WORLD ORDER.” On the previous Facebook “event listing” for this conference, HT showed that there were over 460 individuals planning to attend.

Hizb ut-Tahrir Event at Chicago Marriott Oak Brook - NOT ANYMORE (Photo: YouTube)

Hizb ut-Tahrir America's 2010 Conference to Promote Islamic Caliphate (Photo: YouTube)

Human rights activists had been informing Chicago area hotels of Hizb ut-Tahrir America’s decision last year to distribute pamphlets calling for the “death penalty” for those who seek freedom of religion to leave Islam. At Hizb ut-Tahrir America’s July 19, 2009 event in Chicago, they distributed a pamphlet (page 62) that supports killing those individuals who leave Islam as guilty of “treason and a political attack on the Khilafah.” The Hizb ut-Tahrir America website promoting this year’s conference in Chicago promotes links to the main Hizb ut-Tahrir website, Khilafah.com, where this pamphlet is still distributed online by Hizb ut-Tahrir.

At the December 2009 event at the Lombard community center, Hizb ut-Tahrir America denounced democracy, denounced “the Kafir,” and urged Muslim attendees “do not take the Jews and Christians for your allies.” HT also blamed U.S. President Obama as part of a plot to take over Muslim-majority nations. Hizb ut-Tahrir rejects democracy because it “is the rule of people, for the people, by the people.” (page 24) Hizb ut-Tahrir has called for Muslims to boycott voting.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) continues to challenge Hizb ut-Tahrir’s leadership to debate us before the American people, a challenge that we extended on June 18. R.E.A.L. has not received a reply from Hizb ut-Tahrir. R.E.A.L. will continue with our event on July 11 at 2 PM at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool steps.

We urge all Americans, especially Muslim Americans, to join us in our nation’s capital on July 11, 2010 (the original date of the Hizb ut-Tahrir) conference to send a message to those who seek to attack democracy and freedom, that we will stand united for such freedoms together – as one nation, one people, – responsible for equality and liberty – for all.

We urge other Muslims and all others in America who also share our commitment for such freedoms, especially for our shared freedoms and democracy to contact Responsible for Equality And Liberty via email at info@realcourage.org .

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See additional R.E.A.L. postings on the anti-democracy Hizb ut-Tahrir movement at:

http://bit.ly/htwatch

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Pakistan: Sufi Muslim Shrine Attacked – Many Killed

In Lahore, Pakistan, two suicide bombers blew themselves up among crowds of worshipers at the shrine to Sufi saint Data Ganj Bakhsh in Lahore, capital of Punjab province. 43 have been reported killed in this terrorist attack and atrocity against human rights. Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) condemns this attack on those seeking to exercise their freedom of religion and freedom of worship, and we support such religious freedoms as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18.

R.E.A.L. urges all people to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

Security officials examine the site of suicide bomb attacks at the Saint Syed Ali bin Osman Al-Hajvery shrine, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh in Lahore on July 2, 2010. - Photo by AFP.

Media Reports:

AP / GEO TV VIDEO: CCTV shows Lahore Suicide Bomber at Data Darbar Sufi Shrine

CNN: Pakistan: Muslim Shrine Attacked by Twin Bomb Blasts
— Police say twin bomb blasts at a Sufi shrine in the Pakistani city of Lahore

AFP: Protest strike in Pakistan over shrine bombing

Dawn: Terrorists tear into heart of Lahore
— Media Gallery

Dawn: Data Darbar attack

Pakistan Daily Times: World shocked by horrific attack – on Sufi Muslim shrine

Times of India: Bloodbath at sufi shrine in Lahore

Times of India: Mosque attacks becoming a trend in ‘divided’ Pak

Daily Telegraph: Pakistan braced for wave of terror after shrine attack

Pakistan Daily Times: Security beefed up at shrines, worship places

Pakistan Daily Times: Shrines in Sindh easy prey for terrorists?

CBS: Taliban Militants Prime Suspects in Triple Pakistan Suicide Bombings
— Pakistan Daily Times: Taliban denies role in Lahore blasts

White House: Groups Call for Saudi Arabia King Abdullah to Support Women’s Rights, Religious Freedom

On June 29, 2010 in Washington D.C., human rights groups and volunteers picketed the White House sidewalk and Pennsylvania Avenue while Saudi Arabian King Abdullah met with U.S. President Obama.

June 29, 2010: Saudi Arabia King Abdullah and U.S. President Obama Meet

While King Abdullah and President Obama were meeting, Muslims and non-Muslims, men and women, united to demonstrate in front of the White House to call for President Obama to urge Saudi King Abdullah to support women’s rights and religious freedom in Saudi Arabia, and urged King Abdullah to follow through with previous calls for reforms.

June 29, 2010 - White House Demonstrators from CDHR, IIC, The Gulf Institute, and R.E.A.L — June 29, 2010 - White House Demonstrators from Various Groups: CDHR, The Gulf Institute, IIC, and R.E.A.L.

Groups of demonstrators included representatives of and volunteers supporting The Institute for Gulf Affairs, Islamic Information Center (IIC), Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (CDHR), Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), and Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.). CDHR, Gulf Institute, and R.E.A.L. had all separately planned demonstrations for that day at the White House. Some groups decided to consolidate their efforts at the White House.

June 29, 2010: Demonstrators Protesting for Women's Rights, Religious Freedom in Saudi Arabia Outside White House

Demonstrators in support of freedom for religious minorities and women in Saudi Arabia represented a broad cross-section of individuals: women, men, Muslims, non-Muslims, Arabs, non-Arabs, white and black Americans. They stood before the White House to urge President Obama to focus on what must be America’s real “common cause” with Saudi Arabia – our shared human rights and human dignity.

June 29, 2010 - Diverse Individuals Unite for Human Rights and Freedom in Saudi Arabia

Demonstrators from the combined supporters of The Institute for Gulf Affairs, IIC, and R.E.A.L. also chanted slogans at the Saudi mission leaders and the White House during the meeting between President Obama and King Abdullah.

One woman demonstrator led a chant for women’s rights, shouting to the Saudi leaders that “women are not property,” and calling for Saudi Arabia to “end gender apartheid in Saudi Arabia.”

Other demonstration chants at the White House including “end religious oppression in Saudi Arabia,” “free Hadi and Nathalie,” and “religious freedom in Saudi Arabia.”

Saudi Mission Outside the White House Gates

Protesters picketed the White House sidewalk with signs and distributed fliers on human rights issues, as Saudi mission leaders were entering the White House gates. One individual entering the White House stopped to take photographs of the demonstrators. The IIC’s Mahdi Husain and R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm picketed past Saudi mission individuals as they took photographs of the demonstrators.

Muslim Mahdi Husain (Right) of the IIC and Christian Jeffrey Imm (Left) of R.E.A.L. Picket Together for Religious and Women's Freedom in Saudi Arabia — Muslim Mahdi Husain (Right) of the IIC and Christian Jeffrey Imm (Left) of R.E.A.L. Picket Together for Religious Freedom and Women's Rights in Saudi Arabia -- Standing Publicly and United for Human Rights

The demonstrators also called upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to act on victims of religious oppression in that nation. The Institute for Gulf Affair’s Director Ali Al-Ahmed denounced such religious oppression, remarking on Hadi Al-Mutif, the longest serving religious prisoner in Saudi Arabia. Hadi Al-Mutif has been in prison for 17 years for a joking comment as a teenager that was viewed as blasphemous by a Saudi court, and was originally accused of apostasy and sentenced to death, even though Hadi Al-Mutif is a Muslim. Hadi Al-Mutif remains in prison and has alleged physical abuse, and much of his time in prison has been in solitary confinement. The Gulf Institute has been promoting a petition calling for the freedom of Hadi Al-Mutif.

The Gulf Institute Director Ali Al-Ahmed Tells Media of the Religious Oppression and Imprisonment of Hadi Al-Mutif in Saudi Arabia

R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm also distributed an orange flier summarizing the concerns of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) regarding the need for religious freedom, freedom of worship, and religious tolerance in Saudi Arabia. The USCIRF made specific recommendations to President Obama to address such concerns in his meeting with Saudi King Abdullah.

The demonstrators called for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support women’s rights in that nation, and called for changes to the guardianship program that exists in Saudi Arabia.

Demonstrators also called for the religious freedom of Canadian Nathalie Morin who, along with her children, has been held a prisoner by her common-law husband in Saudi Arabia. The DC Chapter of the Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), held a protest demonstration outside of the Saudi Embassy on this subject on Saturday, June 26, 2010. The June 26 protest was led by MPV’s Fatima Thompson. The Canadian branch of MPV also held a protest in Toronto on June 26, outside the G20 Summit.

Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) DC chapter activist Fatima Thompson Protests for Women's Human Rights - Photo from June 26 Protest Outside Saudi Embassy

At the Tuesday, June 29 protest at the White House, MPV’s Fatima Thompson passed out fliers to the White House visitors, engaging them to become aware of the plight of Nathalie Morin and Hadi Al-Mutif in Saudi Arabia. She urged women to become educated on the women’s rights issues challenging Saudi women in terms of the guardianship program and the challenge to women’s rights in daily life and law in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Nathalie Morin, shown here with her eldest son, Samir (now nearly seven years old), says she has been trying to return to Canada for 2½ years. (Family photo)

While Fatima Thompson was distributing fliers, R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm also addressed the White House visitors with his portable microphone system from the Pennsylvania Avenue area, while holding up posters with photographs showing the abuse that Nathalie Morin and her children have undergone in Saudi Arabia. R.E.A.L.’s Imm stated, “if a woman was beaten like this, if children were abused like this, in the United States, wouldn’t we call the police? The attack on women’s rights in Saudi Arabia is very much a law enforcement issue – one of enforcing our universal human rights for women’s rights and dignity – consistently around the world.”

In Saudi Arabia: Abuses of Canadian Nathalie Morin and Her Children - Held Against Her Will — In Saudi Arabia: Abuses of Canadian Woman Nathalie Morin and Her Children - Nathalie Morin is Held Against Her Will

After protesting at the White House, the demonstrators then moved to outside the Blair House down the street from the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue for visiting dignitaries to continue to send their message in support of religious freedom and women’s rights to the visiting Saudi mission. Demonstrators saw Saudi King Abdullah and his aides during the protest demonstration outside of Blair House.

June 29, 2010 - Human Rights Activist Demonstrating Outside Blair House

While human rights activists demonstrated on June 29, 2010, Saudi King Abdullah and U.S. President Obama met and told the media of some areas of common interests. The news media reported that the two were finding common grounds on the topic of Middle East peace, as well as frustration with the media. King Abdullah, stated, regarding the media: “May God spare us from all of the bad things they can do to us. (Laughter) And may God — and may God bless us with all the positive things they can do for us and for humanity,” to which President Obama replied “Well, that is an excellent prayer.”

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands in support of our unqualified, universal human rights for both women and men, and for the religious freedom, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience for all. R.E.A.L. stands in support of freedom of the press and freedom of expression. But most importantly, R.E.A.L stands in support of our fellow human beings, and recognizes that all human rights campaigns are missions of mercy, and the most important element to successful human rights is compassion and dignity to all.

R.E.A.L. urges all to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

R.E.A.L. urges the press of the world not to be silent about human rights violations and oppression, whether it is found in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the United States, or anywhere else in the world. R.E.A.L. urges the media and press to continue to be a voice of conscience in reporting the news of the world, no matter how inconvenient the truths of our conscience may be to world leaders.

Without such a compass of our conscience in human rights, all of our freedoms, including our freedom of expression, will remain endangered in too many parts of the world.

We must all be responsible for equality and liberty.

Additional Photos are at this web link.

As additional photos are obtained from other volunteers, we will update this blog posting and the web link of photographs.

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Demonstration Group Contacts:

The Institute for Gulf Affairs
Ali Al-Ahmed, Director
Website: http://www.gulfinstitute.org/

Islamic Information Center (IIC)
Mahdi Husain, Public Relations
Website: http://www.IslamicInformationCenter.org

Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (CDHR)
Ali H. Alyami, Executive Director
Website: http://www.cdhr.info

Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV)
Washington DC Activist: Fatima Thompson
Website: http://www.mpvusa.org/

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) volunteer group
Founder: Jeffrey Imm
Website: https://www.realcourage.org
Email: info@realcourage.org

R.E.A.L. Supports Our Universal Human Rights for All Human Beings

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Groups’ Upcoming Events

The human rights groups all have additional upcoming events this summer. The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (CDHR) has a conference on Muslim scholars’ warnings on radicalism on July 20, 2010 in Washington DC on Capitol Hill, 4:00pm – 6:30pm, Rayburn House Office Building Room B-369. The Islamic Information Center (IIC) has a conference in Washington DC at the Capitol Hilton on July 23 through 25. The Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) group has an annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia on August 6 through 8.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has a public outreach scheduled for Sunday July 11 at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool at 2 PM, where it encourages Muslims and non-Muslims to join together to demonstrate our shared support for democracy and freedom, in response to groups that seek to deny such freedoms, and urges those interested to contact R.E.A.L. at info@realcourage.org

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Orange Ribbon for Universal Human Rights - Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

India: “Hindu Honor Killings”

Reports on honor killings in India, and articles by women’s rights activist Phyllis Chesler

Sify News: Honour killings: Conflict between tradition and modernity
— Sify News: “With a spate of so-called ‘honour killings’ shocking the nation in recent weeks, human rights activists say the increase in such cases is a testimony to the growing conflict between rigid family tradition and modernity.”
— “They also feel the problem can be resolved by increasing awareness and bringing tougher legislations.”
….
— “A series of cases, where young men or women were murdered for marrying outside caste or within the same sub-caste or against the family’s wishes have come to the fore in recent times. Delhi had back-to-back cases in the past two weeks.”
— “Only a few politicians have spoken against such crimes because caste can determine an election win or loss, felt Kant, whose organisation had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Supreme court on this issue.”

India: A Demonstrator Calls for a Comprehensive Law against "Honor Killings" (Photo: Sify News)

Outlook India: Congress for Stern Handling of Honour Killing Cases
— Jayanthi Natarajan condemns “honor killings,” murders, and violence
— did not comment on “gotra marriages”
— Outlook India: “Asked whether Congress supports Khap Panchayats’ demand for a change in Hindu Marriage Act, she said, ‘We have not taken any view on changes in the Hindu Marriage Act.'”

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A TV grab of Kuldeep Singh and his wife Monica (Ankit Chaudhury's sister) murdered in "honor killing" in North Delhi, along with a third victim Shobha (sister of Mandeep Nagar)

Times of India: Honour killing case: Pistol used by accused recovered
— accused Mandeep Nagar, Ankit Chaudhury, and Nakul Khari
— Triple “honor killing” case – killing Ankit’s sister Monica and her husband Kuldeep Singh, and Shobha, Mandeep’s sister
— Times of India: “Making a headway in the Ashok Vihar honour killing case, Delhi Police have recovered from Rishikesh the pistol allegedly used by three youths to kill three of their relatives for marrying outside their caste.”
— “A team of city police recovered the .32 bore pistol from Rishikesh where they had taken the accused — Ankit, Mandeep and Nakul — for further investigation in the case. The trio were arrested from Ghaziabad on June 24.”
— “The accused had told police that they had thrown the pistol in the river after killing Ankit’s sister Monica and her husband Kuldeep for marrying outside the community. Later, they allegedly killed Shobha, Mandeep’s sister, who had earlier eloped with a person outside her community.”
— Outlook India: 3 Honour Killing Suspects Sent to 5 Days’ Police Custody
— IBN: Cops find weapon used in Delhi honour killings
— IBN: “The weapon used in the gruesome triple honour killing case of a Delhi couple and another young girl has been reportedly recovered. The pistol used to kill Monica, her husband Kuldeep Singh and her cousin Shobha was found in Rishikesh.”
— New Kerala: Delhi: Honour killing after 4-year marriage – in Ashok Vihar, north Delhi
— Couple shot dead in Ashok Vihar

India: Men Accused in Delhi "Honor Killings" -- Mandeep Nagar, Ankit Chaudhury, and Nakul Khari -- Accused of killing Ashok Vihar, Shobha Nagar, — India: Men Accused in Delhi "Honor Killings" -- Mandeep Nagar, Ankit Chaudhury, and Nakul Khari -- Accused of killing Ashok Vihar, Shobha Nagar (Photo: IBN Live)

Times of India: NRI held for suspected honour killing in Punjab
— Amritpal Kaur “honor killing”
— Times of India: “A non-resident Indian (NRI) will be produced in a court here on Wednesday following his arrest on Tuesday night for allegedly murdering his teenaged step-daughter in a suspected case of honour killing.”
— “Mehtab Singh was arrested after the police got a tip-off that he had brought his step-daughter Amritpal Kaur, 17, from Brussels, Belgium, earlier this month and clandestinely cremated her here after saying that she died of food poisoning.”
— “Police officials said the death of the girl seemed to be mysterious and that the step-father had shown undue urgency in cremating her.”
— “The police are investigating if the girl was killed by Mehtab Singh as she had fallen in love with a youth, Lakhwinder Singh, in Belgium.”
— “Lakhwinder belonged to another lower caste and this was not to the liking of Mehtab Singh. He is believed to have poisoned her a few days back and got her cremated.”

Hindustan Times: Honour killing: Girl hacked to death by mother
— Rekha Yadav “honor killing”
— Hindustan Times: “In yet another case of suspected honour killing, a 16-year-old girl was hacked to death in the district allegedly by her mother who disapproved of her relationship with a neighbour, a senior police officer said on Tuesday.”
— Rediff: Honour killing: Now mother hacks girl to death

Sify News: Another suspected honour killing in Haryana

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The Asian Age: “India has over 1,000 honour killings a year”
— Asian Age: “As instances of ‘honour killings’ are reported with alarming — and increasing — regularity across the country, a research paper to be presented at an international conference in London by some Indian jurists on crimes against women next week suggests that the total number of such killings could be well over 1,000 every year in India.”
— “The research paper titled ‘Social-legal perspective of forced marriages’, prepared by Chandigarh-based senior lawyer Ranjit Malhotra, an alumnus of the University of London and dealing with cases of intercontinental marital disputes and custody of children, says that at least ‘900 incidences of honour killings’ take place in three states alone — Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh — every year.”

— on July 2, 2010 in UK, Ranjit Malhotra to present research paper “Social-legal perspective of forced marriages” claiming total number of honor killings in India could be over 1,000 every year
—- Program for July 2, 2010 event

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Hindu Honor Killings? Yes, In India – by Phyllis Chesler

Hindu Honor Killings Article Challenged by Hindu Human Rights Activists – by Phyllis Chesler

— Phyllis Chesler: “In June, 2010, (this very month), 16 Hindu victims (five male-female couples, five girls alone, one man alone) were murdered, their bodies finally discovered, the perpetrators finally arrested or sentenced. The murderers were all members of the girl’s family-of-origin in a planned conspiracy.”

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our unqualified universal human rights for all human beings, including equality and liberty for all women of every religion, ethnic background, race, and identity group. We urge all to support such universal human rights for all women, without question, and to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

Tuesday, June 29 – White House Event – Women’s Rights and Religious Freedom in Saudi Arabia

On Tuesday, June 29 at 12 Noon at the blocked off area of Pennsylvania Avenue, between the White House and Lafayette Park, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supporters will urge President Obama and Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to seek women’s equal rights and religious freedom in Saudi Arabia, during their meeting that day at the White House.

If you are interested in attending or for more information, contact: Jeffrey Imm, info@realcourage.org, 301-613-8789

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has submitted an assembly plan notification to the Washington DC Metropolitan Police for public awareness activity. In May, we had a similar event regarding negotiations with the Taliban while Afghan President Karzai was at the White House. If weather or security conditions warrant, we will move to Lafayette Park, which we have also discussed with the National Park Service (NPS).

Calling for Women’s Equal Rights

We challenge the lack of women’s equal rights in Saudi Arabia, including the laws that demand segregation of women in public life, the male guardianship program, and the inequality for women in education, employment, health, and equality before the law. We reject the treatment of women, including public lashing, abuse of women at the hands of religious police, and a culture which has allowed women to become viewed as second class citizens – in the law and daily life.

We challenge the gender apartheid in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and call for its leaders to accept the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which calls for such freedoms “in the equal rights of men and women” in every part of the world.

We also call upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to recognize the unqualified, universal human rights for all women in Saudi Arabia, for a life not based on segregation, fear, intimidation, and oppression, but as equal partners in that nation and in the world.

Calling for Human Rights of Religious Freedom

Our consistent support for freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18, which states that: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.” We call upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the nations of the world to support such unqualified, universal human rights on our fellow human beings right to believe and worship as they see fit. We support all of our fellow human beings RIGHT TO BELIEVE – without exception, without qualification – free from intolerance, intimidation, and fear.

The U.S. State Department continues to denote the lack of freedom of religion in Saudi Arabia, and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended that Saudi Arabia be listed as a Countries of Particular Concern (CPC). We share the concerns about religious freedom in Saudi Arabia described in both the U.S. State Department and the USCIRF reports, and we urge U.S. President Obama to follow the recommendations of the USCIRF in his June 29 meeting with Saudi King Abdulaziz. (See also Adobe Acrobat PDF of USCIRF letter to U.S. President Obama.)

In terms of religious freedom, we urge the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) leaders to support Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in the interests of world peace and harmony, as well as the long term security both for the KSA and the world.

Calling for Consistency in Our Universal Human Rights

We believe that support for such universal human rights is a demonstration of our love for our fellow human beings.

We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

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Postscript: I know that some believe that calling for the KSA to support women’s human rights, the UDHR, and UDHR Article 18 for religious freedom may seem impossible. In 1979, I also stood before representatives of the Apartheid Government of South Africa calling for the end to the racial supremacism of Apartheid laws created in 1750. This was just 6 years before the founding of the first Saudi nation-state by Prince Muhammed Ibn Saud and Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab.

The end of apartheid was announced in 1990, and by 1992, apartheid was ended in South Africa. But in 1979, such calls then too were viewed as impossible . But we have seen in the world that the march for human freedom is relentless and consistent, like the waves of the ocean, such universal human rights will ultimately not be denied. It is our obligation to continue to participate in that march for freedom, as human beings Responsible for Equality AND Liberty.

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Logistics and Map:

If you are taking the Washington DC subway (Metro), you should exit at the Farragut West (Orange/Blue Lines), Farragut North (Red Line), or McPherson Square (Orange/Blue Lines) metro stops.

FARRAGUT WEST METRO STATION to WHITE HOUSE Walking Directions: 1. Exit station through 18TH & I (EYE) ST NW entrance. 2. Walk approx. 1 block S on 18th St NW. 3. Turn left on Pennsylvania Ave NW. 4. Walk approx. 3 blocks SE on Pennsylvania Ave NW.

FARRAGUT NORTH METRO STATION to WHITE HOUSE Walking Directions: 1. Exit station through CONNETICUT AVE & K ST NW entrance. 2. Walk a short distance S on Connecticut Ave NW. 3. Walk straight on 17th St NW. 4. Walk approx. 1 block S on 17th St NW. 5. Turn left on I St NW. 6. Walk a short distance E on I St NW. 7. Turn right on Connecticut Ave NW. 8. Walk approx. 1 block S on Connecticut Ave NW. 9. Bear right on Jackson Pl NW. 10. Walk approx. 1 block S on Jackson Pl NW. 11. Turn left on Pennsylvania Ave NW. 12. Walk approx. 1 block E on Pennsylvania Ave NW.

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Additional Background on KSA and Women’s Rights Issues:

Women’s rights in Saudi Arabia
Perpetual Minors: Human Rights Abuses Stemming from Male Guardianship and Sex Segregation in Saudi Arabia
— Adobe Acrobat PDF File

Saudi Cleric Fired for Rejecting Segregation of Sexes — Ahmed Qassim Al-Ghamdi

Saudi Cleric Calls for Gender Segregation or Death: Shaikh Abdul-Rahman al-Barrak

Saudi Woman Criticizes Muslim Clerics in TV Poetry Contest — Gets Death Threats

Saudi Arabia: “Domestic abuse goes unreported due to sensitivity”

Escaping Saudi Arabia’s gilded cage — on oppression of women in Saudi Arabia

“Saudi Arabia — The World’s Largest Women’s Prison”

Saudi Woman Challenges Male-Only Polygamy, Accused of Blasphemy

Saudi judge: It’s OK to slap spendthrift wives

Saudi religious police blamed in ‘honor’ killing of sisters

Saudi Arabia: Brother kills two sisters in Social Affairs shelter over “honor”

Saudi Arabia: 75 year old woman lashed, press concerned about men

Saudi Arabia: Philippine Woman Imprisoned for Being Rape Victim

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Additional Background on KSA and Religious Freedom Issues:

USCIRF Recommendations to President Obama for June 29 Meeting

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has called upon President Obama to urge “the Saudi government to implement effective strategies for preventing people from embracing violent extremism in the first place. They will need to focus on reforms that ensure that intolerance has no place in their culture. Despite the Saudi government pledging to the United States nearly four years ago that it would undertake such reforms, very little progress has been made. In this regard, we appeal to you to raise three important issues: revising the Saudi government-controlled curriculum and textbooks; reining in the government-funded Commission to Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice (CPVPV), or religious police; and releasing Hadi Al-Mutif, the longest serving religious prisoner in Saudi Arabia.”

U.S. Department of State International Religious Freedom Report 2009 on Saudi Arabia – Excerpts

The U.S. Department of State International Religious Freedom Report 2009 on Saudi Arabia states that:
“Freedom of religion is neither recognized nor protected under the law and is severely restricted in practice.”
“Moreover, the public practice of non-Muslim religions is prohibited, and the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPVPV) continued to conduct raids on private non-Muslim religious gatherings. Although the Government also confirmed its stated policy to protect the right to possess and use personal religious materials, it did not provide for this right in law, and the CPVPV sometimes confiscated the personal religious materials of non-Muslims.”

“the Government continued to enforce its official interpretation of Sunni Islam. Some Muslims who do not adhere to this interpretation faced significant political, economic, legal, social, and religious discrimination, including limited employment and educational opportunities, underrepresentation in official institutions, and restrictions on the practice of their faith and on the building of places of worship and community centers. The largest group affected was the Shi’a. Non-Muslims, most of whom are citizens of other countries, also face significant restrictions on the practice of their faith. There were fewer charges of harassment and abuse at the hands of the CPVPV, but incidents of CPVPV excesses continued to cause many non-Muslims to worship in secret, for fear of the police and CPVPV. Textbooks continued to contain some overtly intolerant statements against Jews and Christians and subtly intolerant statements against Shi’a and other religious groups, notwithstanding Government efforts to review educational materials to remove or revise such statements.”

“On January 16, 2009, the Secretary of State re-designated the country as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).”

USCIRF 2010 Report on Saudi Arabia – Excerpts

“Despite King Abdullah undertaking some limited reform measures and promoting inter-religious dialogue in international fora in recent years, the Saudi government persists in banning all forms of public religious expression other than that of the government’s own interpretation of one school of Sunni Islam and also interferes with private religious practice. Ismaili Muslims continue to suffer severe discrimination and abuse on account of their religious identity and there is an ongoing crackdown on Shi’a Muslim dissidents, which has resulted in numerous arrests and detentions. Members of the Commission to Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice (CPVPV or religious police) continue to commit abuses, overstep their authority with impunity, and are not subject to judicial oversight. Moreover, the government continues to be involved in supporting activities globally that promote an extremist ideology, and in some cases, violence toward non-Muslims and disfavored Muslims.”

“USCIRF again recommends in 2010 that Saudi Arabia be designated as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC. Although so designated by the State Department since 2004, an indefinite waiver on taking any action in consequence of the CPC designation has been in place since 2006.”

“Little discernible progress has been made nearly four years after the State Department publicly announced that, as a result of bilateral discussions, the Saudi government had confirmed that it would advance specific policies with the aim of improving religious freedom conditions. The Saudi government continues to engage in an array of severe violations of human rights as part of its repression of freedom of religion or belief. Abuses include: torture and cruel and degrading treatment or punishment imposed by judicial, security, and administrative authorities; prolonged detention without charges and often incommunicado; and blatant denials of the right to liberty and security of the person, including through coercive measures aimed at women and the broad jurisdiction and abusive actions of the CPVPV. The full implementation by the Saudi government of the July 2006 policies would diminish some of its institutionalized abusive practices that have resulted in severe violations of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief in Saudi Arabia and worldwide.”

NYC: Brooklyn Mosque Protests and Bomb Threat

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights of freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, and freedom of worship for ALL people – without exception. We reject protests against houses of worship. (See also report: “Why Freedom of Religion Matters for MAS Mosques”).

In the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn, New York, it was reported that on June 27, 2010, between 200 and 300 people sought to protest a planned mosque 2812 Voorhies Avenue in Brooklyn. A group called Bay People, Inc. is leading the mosque protests.

Voorhies Avenue area in dispute for planned mosque

The sponsor of the project, the Muslim American Society (MAS), is also the same sponsor of a mosque project in Midland Beach on Greeley Avenue that is also being protested. The MAS group’s leader, Mahdi Bray, has been investigated for support for Hamas by the Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT) for comments made at a rally in 2000. IPT states that MAS was founded by the Muslim Brotherhood; the IPT states “MAS denies it is a part of the organization, [although] it acknowledges that its foundations are with the Muslim Brotherhood.”

Reports have indicated that the protesters are divided between those who view that the Voorhies Avenue cannot accommodate the traffic for a new mosque, and those that reject the planned mosque due to Islamophobic views. The local blog/newspaper Sheepshead Bites addresses this split between the protesters in its article “Rally Reveals Conflict Within Anti-Mosque Movement.”

Voorhies Avenue Signs Protesting Planned Mosque (Photo: Sheepshead Bites)

A protest notice by Bay People, Inc. alleged called for protesters “Please be polite and tolerant.”

But The Brooklyn Paper has reported that one local counter-protester Guseyn Ibragimov who called for freedom of religion, was booed down and “ordered him to get off their street.” The Brooklyn Paper reporter Thomas Tracy also indicated that the divisiveness has spilled over into calls for violence and bombing against the proposed mosque, not unlike those seen in recent reader comments on the New York Post web site and those made on AM radio stations.

The Brooklyn Paper also quoted an anonymous local man, who reportedly lives across the street from the planned mosque, and who threatened to bomb the planned Voorhies Avenue mosque, telling the reporter: “If they build a mosque there, I’m going to bomb the mosque.. I will give them a lot of trouble… They’re not going to stay here alive.”

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty supports our universal human rights for all. We reject and oppose all calls for intolerance, hate, violence, and terrorism. We urge all those who promote hate and intolerance to unburden their hearts.

Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

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Media Reports:

The Brooklyn Paper: ‘What kind of America’? Hate-filled rally to stop mosque

Sheepshead Bites: Rally Reveals Conflict Within Anti-Mosque Movement

Photographs of June 27, 2010 protest against New York City mosque in Brooklyn