Major Stories – Page 15 – Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

UK: British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD) on Zakir Naik

The British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD) has issued a press release on its views supporting the barring of Imam Zakir Naik from the United Kingdom. BMSD stated that “British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) approves of the decision to exclude Zakir Naik from the UK, based on thorough research conducted by the Home Office,” stating that many of Zakir Naik’s “statements are not conducive to the public good. For example, he made this remark on Osama bin Laden in 2006: ‘If he is terrorising the terrorists, if he is terrorising America the terrorist, the biggest terrorist, every Muslim should be a terrorist.’ bmsd supports rigorous application of the exclusion policy to any international speaker who incites hatred and violence. However, it is also vital that the Home Office are consistent in their application of a tool as powerful – and potentially controversial – as exclusion. ”

In addition, BMSD Executive Director Tehmina Kazi has written an opinion piece in the United Kingdom Guardian on Zakir Naik.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) reported on May 31, 2010 on the plans of Zakir Naik to visit the United Kingdom and his history of promoting views that seek to encourage others to deny religious freedom.

In October 2009, BMSD challenged the anti-democracy organization Islam4UK and its planned “Sharia law” march in London. BMSD stated that “Our protest against Islam4UK is based on our belief in, and commitment to, those liberal values that define the British state. This includes legal and constitutional equality for all, equal rights for women and minorities, and religious freedom, including the right to be free of faith.” In December 2009, BMSD led a counterprotest against the further efforts of the anti-democracy organization Islam4UK.

In November 2009 and December 2009, BMSD was critical of the efforts of the Stop Islamisation of Europe (SIOE) organization goals to have protests outside the Harrow Central Mosque, stating that “fear-mongering and misinformation whipped up by these demonstrations poses a threat to all British citizens who wants to live in a harmonious society.” In BMSD’s letter to SIOE, it stated that “By demonstrating outside a mosque under the banner, ‘Stop the Islamisation of Europe,’ ordinary peace-loving British Muslims end up feeling threatened and have begun to believe that their fundamental right to practice their religion is being curtailed. In any case, Harrow is an exemplar of good community relations, facilitated by strong communication and co-operation between different faith communities and various agencies such as the police and the local council. Our Director Tehmina Kazi can testify to this, as she has lived in Harrow for over 20 years. Individuals affiliated with Harrow Central Mosque joined our counter-protest against Al Muhajiroun and their leading members wholeheartedly support the merits of secular democracy alongside bmsd. Your campaign is also fuelling the notion that somehow organisations such as SIOE are against all Muslims and the religion Islam in itself. This is being used by the extremist elements within Muslim communities to enhance their recruitment.”

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has been reporting on the efforts of groups, such as the “Stop Islamization of Europe” (SIOE) group that are holding protests against mosques throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. The slogan of the SIOE group is that “Islamophobia is the height of common sense.” In the United Kingdom, the SIOE has had two protests in front of Harrow Central Mosque in September 2009 and December 2009. In the September 2009 SIOE protests at the Harrow mosque, there was violence between supporters and counter protesters, as SIOE protest supporters went to the mosque chanting “Muslims out.” In the December 2009 SIOE protest at the Harrow mosque, the SIOE reportedly refused the opportunity to dialogue with leaders of the Harrow mosque. In May 2010, the SIOE group held a protest against a mosque in Denmark that attracted the interest of a Neo-Nazi organization. The SIOE founded its sister group in the United States, the Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) that has promoted protests against mosques in New York City and Staten Island.

On December 19, 2009, BMSD contacted the Green Lane mosque and urged them not to invite extremists to speak at the Green Lane mosque.

In April 2010, BMSD released a report on the political participation by British Muslim students, while anti-democracy groups such as Hizb ut-Tahrir have sought British Muslims not to support democractic elections.

The BMSD organization states that its aims are as follows:

— “Raise awareness within British Muslims and the wider public, of democracy particularly ‘secular democracy’ helping to contribute to a shared vision of citizenship (the separation of faith and state, so faiths exert no undue influence on policies and there is a shared public space).”
— “Encourage religious understanding and harmony, respect for different systems of beliefs, and encourage an understanding and celebration of the variety of Muslim cultures, values and traditions which are present in British society.”

BMSD states that it seeks to achieve these aims by:
— “Facilitating discourse and raising awareness of democracy particularly ‘secular democracy’ and its benefits.”
— “Facilitating broad and enlightened theological discourses, to enable British Muslims and the wider public to be better informed about the Islamic faith.”
— “Raising awareness of religious influence on UK domestic and foreign policies, particularly those which may lead to undue effect on civil liberties.”
— “Addressing Islamophobia and prejudice against Muslims and Muslim communities.”
— “Working with UK and global Muslim and other organisations, opposing radicalism and intolerant beliefs.”
— “Ensuring that politicians and community leaders encourage and practise transparency and ensure legitimate voting practices are followed.”
— “Engaging with marginalised Muslim communities, helping to identify root causes of deprivation and social exclusion, and help work towards a solution.”
— “Providing a lively and interesting social/educational programme which showcases the variety of Muslim histories, cultures, values and traditions in the UK today.”
— “Be responsive to the changing needs and pressures on succeeding generations of British Muslims and adjust and add to its programmes and projects accordingly.”

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BMSD Logo

BMSD Press Release on Zakir Naik

On June 18, 2010, BMSD issued a press release on Zakir Naik as follows:

“British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) approves of the decision to exclude Zakir Naik from the UK, based on thorough research conducted by the Home Office. Dr Naik is a high-profile figure who has been elevated to a position of power and influence, and many of his statements are not conducive to the public good. For example, he made this remark on Osama bin Laden in 2006: ‘If he is terrorising the terrorists, if he is terrorising America the terrorist, the biggest terrorist, every Muslim should be a terrorist.'”

“bmsd supports rigorous application of the exclusion policy to any international speaker who incites hatred and violence. However, it is also vital that the Home Office are consistent in their application of a tool as powerful – and potentially controversial – as exclusion. ”

“Dr Shaaz Mahboob, Vice-Chair of bmsd, said: ‘This is an encouraging decision from the new Government. We would now like to see them take a similarly firm approach to far-right organisations that stir up racial hatred, and domestic extremists such as the newly-formed ‘Muslims Against Crusades,’ who hurled abuse at the Royal Anglian Regiment homecoming parade in Barking on 15th June 2010.’ ”

Notes to the editors:

“1. bmsd is made up of a group of Muslim democrats of diverse ethnic and social backgrounds, who support a clear separation between religion and the State.”
“2. bmsd’s mission statement: ‘To promote civic engagement, social inclusion, responsible citizenship and good governance particularly within constituent Muslim communities of Britain; in order to build an understanding of the shared values between all citizens to enable them to live in an inclusive, pluralist, secular and confident Britain.'”
“3. bmsd claims no mandate or false representative status. Our primary concern is democratic engagement not detailed theological analysis or debate. The level and depth of commitment to the doctrinal core and orthodoxy of the faith varies among Muslims as much as it does in members of other faith groups. bmsd founders wish to create a platform for alternative, diverse Muslim views, essential for a progressive, multi-layered, democratic identity that is not in conflict with itself or fellow citizens.”
“4. For details please visit http://www.bmsd.org.uk ”

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BMSD Executive Director Tehmina Kazi opinion piece in the United Kingdom Guardian on Zakir Naik

Zakir Naik’s incendiary words

Freedom of speech includes freedom to offend – but when a preacher’s words incite violence, there has to be some sanction

British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD)'s Tehmina Kazi

“What do Dr Zakir Naik, Russian skinhead Pavel Skachevsky, far-right US talk show host Michael Savage, former Kahane Chai leader Mike Guzovsky and Kansas Baptist pastor Fred Phelps have in common? They are all on the list of people who have been banned from entering the UK.”

“Several commentators, like Inayat Bunglawala last week, have asked exactly what Naik has done to deserve such company. A quick internet search of his public statements throws up the following: ‘You heard the Muslims saying Osama Bin Laden is right or wrong. I reject them … We don’t know. But if you ask my view, if this is the truth, if he is fighting the enemies of Islam, I am for him. I don’t know what he’s doing. I’m not in touch with him. I don’t know him personally. I read the newspaper. If he is terrorising the terrorists, if he is terrorising America the terrorist, the biggest terrorist, I am with him … The thing is, if he’s terrorising a terrorist, he’s following Islam.’ Other incendiary remarks include: ‘Muslims in India would prefer the Islamic criminal law to be implemented on all Indians since it is the most practical’, ‘The Jews, by nature as a whole, will be against Muslims’, (Western Mail, 16 August 2006) plus an assertion that western women make themselves more susceptible to sexual assault by wearing revealing clothing.”

“While it is evident that most of Naik’s views are out of step with the values of any 21st-century liberal democracy, this in itself does not provide sufficient justification to exclude him from the UK. As Lord Justice Sedley stated in the notable high court judgment Redmond-Bate vs Director of Public Prosecutions [1999]: ‘Free speech includes not only the inoffensive, but the irritating, the contentious, the eccentric, the heretical, the unwelcome and the provocative, providing it does not intend to provoke violence. Freedom only to speak inoffensively is not worth having.’ Incitement to violence is a crucial caveat of this fundamental principle, and forms the basis of the Home Office’s ‘unacceptable behaviour’ policy. Proscribed actions on the list include the glorification of terrorism, provoking others to commit terrorist or criminal acts, and fostering hatred which might lead to inter-community violence within the UK. Therefore, the most problematic of Naik’s statements are the ones that appear to condone violence: ‘If a Muslim becomes a non-Muslim and propagates his/her new religion then, it is as good as treason. There is a ‘death penalty’ in Islam for such a person.’ Naik’s supporters have cited his freedom of speech as a reason for overturning this exclusion order, but would he take a similar stance if a famous ex-Muslim chose to convene a speaking tour in Pakistan, for example? Further, Najibullah Zazi, who was arrested in September 2009 for planning suicide attacks on the New York subway, is said to have become ‘enchanted’ with Zakir Naik before planning his attack.”

“My organisation, British Muslims for Secular Democracy, supports rigorous application of the exclusion policy to any international speaker who incites hatred or violence. However, it is also vital that the Home Office is consistent in its application of a tool as powerful — and potentially controversial — as exclusion. To its credit, the Home Office made a statement on Geert Wilders clarifying its position, after the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal overturned the ban on his entry to the UK in October 2009. Contrary to popular opinion, it wasn’t the Home Office but the tribunal that allowed Wilders into the country.”

“Supporters of Naik have jumped to his defence by claiming that his more controversial statements, like ‘Every Muslim should be a terrorist’, should be viewed in their proper context: ‘Every Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a person who causes terror. The moment a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A policeman is a terrorist for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for the antisocial elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Whenever such an antisocial element sees a Muslim, he should be terrified. It is true that the word ‘terrorist’ is generally used for a person who causes terror among the common people. But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist to selective people ie antisocial elements, and not to the common innocent people. In fact, a Muslim should be a source of peace for innocent people.'”

“This semi-clarification of ‘antisocial elements’ is all well and good, but what Naik fails to elucidate is exactly who the ‘common innocent people’ are. One would imagine that based on his other pronouncements, they don’t include apostates or gay people. In any case, such defences of Naik entirely miss the point. As a medical doctor and speaker whose lectures on Peace TV are broadcast to millions of Muslims across the world, he is in an incredibly powerful position. Therefore, he must bear total responsibility for every single word that leaves his lips (or his keyboard). Not only should Naik and other religious leaders be extremely careful with the terminology they use (as per the Qur’anic injunction, ‘Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious’), they should be prepared for any criticism that comes their way if certain individuals cite them as ‘inspirations’ and take their more controversial statements too literally. Many of Naik’s supporters point to his remarks condemning 9/11 and 7/7, but nothing less than a clear and consistent repudiation of the quotes mentioned in this article will do.”

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports the efforts of the British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD) in providing an organizational platform, voice, and activism for British Muslim who support democracy, democratic values, pluralism, and our universal human rights.

We urge Muslims and non-Muslims around the world to be responsible for equality and liberty.

June 26: DC Saudi Arabia Embassy Protest for Women’s Rights

Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) and other supporters of human rights will be holding a protest on Saturday, June 26, in front of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington DC – starting at 1:30 PM

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Information obtained from Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV)
PROTEST – Nathalie Morin and Gender Apartheid – Saturday June 26, 2010 at 1:30pm

PROTEST
Saturday June 26th, 2010, 1:30 pm in front of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia
601 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20037
To denounce the confinement of Nathalie Morin and her children, and foreign nationals, in Saudi Arabia

Canadian, Nathalie Morin who is 26 years old, along with her three small children, has been held against her will in Saudi Arabia by her common-law husband since 2005. A victim of conjugal violence, confinement and abuse, Nathalie must return to Canada with her children. But in Saudi Arabia a woman must have the authorization of her male guardian to leave the territory and her aggressor will not allow this.

Gender apartheid and the male guardianship system of Saudi Arabia is a violation of women’s human rights and international law. As long as the U.S. and Saudi governments consider Nathalie and her children’s case a private affair, they will not deploy all efforts to ensure their safety and bring them home to Canada. During this time, Nathalie’s condition continues to deteriorate as the abuse worsens.

On June 26th and 27th, representatives of the Saudi government will participate in the G-20 summit in Toronto to discuss the economy. In June 2009 Obama stated in his speech in Cairo: «But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose.
These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere.» We call on President Obama to defend human rights by demanding that any foreign nationals held captive in Saudi Arabia be allowed to exit the country.

This protest is to declare to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Government that Americans are demanding Nathalie Morin and her children, as well as any foreign nationals held captive, be returned to their countries immediately, that they respect the human rights of women and children and ensure the safety of Nathalie Morin and the safety of her children.

Location: 601 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20037

We will not abandon Nathalie and her children to an undeserved fate

Information: www.nathaliemorin.org E-mail: soutiennathaliemorin@gmail.com

Contact Information for MPV:

Ani Zonneveld – MPV-USA (national organization) ani@mpvusa.org 323-842-2869
Fatima Thompson – MPV-DC (local chapter) thompson.fatima@gmail.com 703-901-0720

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The Saudi Arabian embassy in Washington DC is at:

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
601 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Main Number: (202) 342-3800

The Saudi embassy is near the JFK Center for the Performing Arts and the Watergate complex, not with other embassies in the International Drive / International Court areas.

See this link for a map

The Washington DC subway (“Metro”) has a stop at Foggy Bottom (orange / blue line) that is closest to the Saudi embassy. When the Metro trip planner tool is back online, we will post the walking directions.

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Nearby Kennedy Center Directions
By Subway / Metro:
The Foggy Bottom/George Washington University Station (on the Orange and Blue lines, at 23rd and I streets, NW) , is the stop closest to the Kennedy Center. From there it is a short walk via New Hampshire Avenue OR use our FREE Kennedy Center Shuttle (signs are towards the left as you exit the escalator). The shuttle departs every 15 minutes from 9:45 a.m.-Midnight Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-Midnight Saturdays, and noon-Midnight Sundays and 4:00 p.m.-Midnight on Federal holidays.

By Bus:
The 80 bus goes to the Kennedy Center. For details on bus routes and schedules, call Metro information at (202) 637-7000 or TTY (202) 638-3780.

By Taxi:
Taxi service to and from the Kennedy Center is convenient and readily available. A taxi dispatcher is available to signal cabs and assign patrons from 6:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. on matinee days) until 30 minutes after the end of the last performance, and taxis queue in the Plaza each evening to serve patrons. Look for the uniformed dispatcher at the Hall of States entrance.

By Car/ Get Directions:

from Northern Virginia | from Maryland and Northwest DC | from Downtown DC

Please refer to the map below to help plan your trip. Also be sure to check our parking information, garage hours, and fees before arriving.

Important Note About SUV’s 6 Feet or Higher
For vehicles taller than 6 ft., there are limited spaces available on levels “B” and “C” South and “C” North (max. clearance 7′).

WIDE AREA MAP

wide area map

Burma: Call for Freedom, Remembering Aung San Suu Kyi

— UN, US, and human rights activists around the world expressed solidarity with the Burma people and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, imprisoned on her 65th birthday
— Guardian: “In Burma, any political meeting of more than five people is illegal”
— Guardian: Burma flash mobs

— AP: UN chief urges release of Suu Kyi

— AFP: Suu Kyi marks 65th birthday under house arrest

We Challenge Hizb ut-Tahrir to a Public Debate Before the American People

The anti-democracy organization Hizb ut-Tahrir America once again seeks to gain new recruits to its anti-democracy, anti-religious freedom cause on July 11 in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, Illinois.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) led the effort to demonstrate at Hizb ut-Tahrir America’s first public event in July 2009, to demonstrate that the American people are committed to democracy, equality, liberty, and our universal human rights.

We have written the Hizb ut-Tahrir America organization and challenged them to a public debate before the American people on their views in seeking a global Khilafah (Caliphate) versus our views of unqualified, Universal Human Rights for all people. We are issuing this public challenge to Hizb ut-Tahrir America to do so.

Hizb ut-Tahrir also has repeatedly called for the “death penalty” for those who 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.”

R.E.A.L. has Muslim supporters who share this commitment for democracy, equality, liberty, and our universal human rights. We know that Hizb ut-Tahrir does not represent all Muslims.

We urge other Muslims and all others in America who also share our commitment for such freedoms, especially for religious freedom – including the right to change one’s religion without fear, to contact Responsible for Equality And Liberty via email at info@realcourage.org .

We ask such Muslims who support human freedoms to contact us, so that we can stand in solidarity to show groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir that we are united in rejecting their calls against democracy and against human freedoms. Join us to demonstrate that we are all united in being Responsible for Equality and Liberty.

Our stand for human rights is also a stand for respect, for dignity, and for love of our fellow human beings. We do not offer an upraised fist to those we disagree with, but instead offer an outstretched hand of fellowship to urge them to embrace our unqualified universal human rights.

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

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— FOX News: Radical Islamist Group Is Returning to Chicago for Major Recruitment Drive

— Hizb ut-Tahrir Uses Social Media to Promote Its “Emerging World Order” Conference – by Madeleine Gruen

— Hizb ut-Tahrir America Announces Annual Conference – by Madeleine Gruen

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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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What We Believe - Responsible for Equality And Liberty's Jeffrey Imm Demonstrating Outside Hizb ut-Tahrir America's July 19, 2009 Chicago Event

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

UAE: Court Sentences Teenage Gang Rape Victim to 1 Year in Prison

A court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has convicted an 18 year old girl (“LH”) to one year in prison for “consensual sex.” The UAE court convicted her because she agreed to be alone in the car with a man “YM.”

As previously reported, the teenage girl had previously alleged that she was gang raped by six men. the UAE “The Nation” newspaper reported that LH had “12 bruises ranging from 1cm to 7 cm long on her upper lip, hands, thighs, knee, and behind her left ear.” LH indicated that her brother had beaten her, although the beatings happened at different times.

However, after the teenage girl “LH” filed charges of rape, according to the “The Nation” on May 25, “LH” was then charged with the crime of “extramarital sex,” which could have led to a penalty of “lashes and a maximum sentence of life in prison,” with a minimum of three years in prison. LH then pleaded with the court to allow her to withdraw the rape charges, while one of the accused rapists laughed at her in court. According to the LA Times, LH appeared before the court “shackled and clothed in an inmate’s uniform of hunter green and a black headscarf” and “she rescinded the allegations ‘to get out of’ jail, Bloomberg Businessweek reported.”

The UAE court had reportedly considered the lesser criminal charge of “deception” against “LH,” but chose to convict of “consensual sex,” with a sentence of 1 year in prison.

One of the alleged rapists was also convicted of “consensual sex” with a sentence of 1 year in prison. Two of the men were given sentences of three months in prison “for being alone in the company of a woman.” The other men were only given fines.

According to “The Nation” that fines represented an application of Sharia law only, whereas the other convictions were a combination of UAE law and Sharia law together.

Human Rights Watch’s Middle East North Africa researcher Nadya Khalife told the Los Angeles Times that “The major legal ramification for women who have been raped is that they will most likely be charged with illegal sex or sex outside marriage. Illicit sex carries a harsh sentence of imprisonment and/or flogging.

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports women’s rights and children’s rights and protection for all those who live in fear of oppression and violence.

We urge all to support universal human rights and dignity for all people, in accordance with our universal human rights.

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

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Related R.E.A.L. Postings:

UAE: Muslim Woman Faces Lashes, Life in Prison for Sex

UAE: Victims of Rape in Dubai Face Jail

United Arab Emirates: Pair Jailed for Kissing

UAE: British Woman Raped, Then Arrested and Put in Jail for “Illegal Sex”
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Other Media Reports:

UAE The Nation: Woman who alleged rape jailed for a year

Los Angeles Times: Dubai: Alleged victim of gang rape sentenced to one year in prison

May 25, 2010 – The Nation: Emirati woman, 18, retracts claim of rape by six men

Damanga Response to Opinion Piece on Sudan by George Clooney and John Prendergast

Damanga Response to Opinion Piece on Sudan by George Clooney and John Prendergast

By Mohamed Yahya, Executive Director, Damanga

Mohamed Yahya, Executive Director of Damanga

As Darfur genocide survivors and American human rights activists, we are very disturbed by what Actor George Clooney and “Enough Project” activist John Prendergast has to say about war and peace in Darfur and Sudan. They jointly co-authored an article on June 9, 2010 titled “U.S. must help stop Sudan’s slow-motion war.” While human rights activists certainly seek an end to war and violence, we also recognize that compassionate nations and compassionate people seek justice, equality, dignity, and human rights as the building blocks of any lasting peace.

We are deeply troubled to read that the authors of the opinion piece seek “[p]arallel carrots and sticks are the key to this approach.” According to the authors, on the “carrots” side, the U.S. should present a quid pro quo with an expiration date by the end of the year. In exchange for peace in Darfur and the South, the U.S. would move to normalize relations with Sudan and work in the Security Council to suspend the war crimes indictment of President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir under article 16 of the International Criminal Court Charter. On the “sticks” side, the authors call for “a U.S.–led Initiative should build international support for severe consequences for anyone promoting war, whether they are ruling party officials, militias, rebels, or Southern Sudan’s leaders.”

For years, we have heard the same philosophical slogans: “Peace Incentives,” “Door 1 vs. Door 2 scenario,” “carrots and sticks,” and so forth, as if we are dealing with a government of angels or peace-making leaders. What “carrots” or incentives should people of conscience offer to the architects of genocide? If we accept an international code of Universal Human Rights for all people, is there no responsibility for human rights activists to call for action on such human rights, even in the face of genocide? How can people of conscience and commitment in human rights seriously argue for the need to offer incentives to the terrible government in Sudan, despite the massive crimes being committed against its innocent civilians from Darfur to the South all these years?

Why do we only see offers of incentives instead of serious consequences to a government that has been continuously violating human rights and systematically eliminating an entire ethnic community from their land? Why must the people of Darfur have to wait until the end of the year again over and over to implement such empty promises of action against human rights violators?

When will it be “Enough” of the denial of human rights, justice, freedom, and lasting peace for the victims of Darfur for the Enough Project’s John Prendergast and George Clooney? How much longer must the world continue to appease the genocidal regime of Khartoum and give them time and promotions to continue to strengthen their ability to stay in power to humiliate our people forever? It is unbelievable to hear such recommendations from influential activists and actors, who have visited Darfur refugees a couple of times in Chad or Darfur and who have gained all the respect from all of us for their dedication to fight against those obsessed persistent criminals of our time.

They suggest unbearable ideas to push the U.S. government to move towards normalizing relations with the indicted criminals in Sudan in exchange for peace in Darfur and South Sudan. They further call for the suspension of “the war crimes indictment of President Al-Bashir under Article 16 of the ICC-the International Criminal Court charter.” Do such activists believe that after all the destruction and obstruction by such architects of genocide that the world should simply ignore Mr. Al-Bashir’s crimes? Should such an indictment be dismissed against Al-Bashir because he is a “peace-maker?”

Mr. Clooney and Prendergast, this will never happen on our watch. We can’t let criminals who killed millions in Darfur and South and all Sudan to walk away free of charges. That would be a terrible, intolerable mistake that ever the history could forgive. It is our responsibility as civilized people and democratic nations of conscience, transparency, and moral integrity to be honest and do the right thing to bring those killers to justice. We cannot have any lasting peace without such justice.

We must not succumb to the fear of the catastrophic war that Al-Bashir would carry out against South if it is separated because of oil. It is better for you to work to separate Al-Bashir and his terrorist government instead of flattering him as the only one who can bring peace, referendum, and freedom. Al-Bashir and his National Congress Party (NCP) are the ultimate disaster for the Sudanese people and are the real threats to Sudan’s survival and the whole region’s well being.

The U.S. and the whole world will never end this growing problem by only supporting “peace” and ignoring justice. No good outcome will ever come without supporting the ICC first and foremost to do its work by arresting Omar Al-Bashir and his counterparts Ahmad Haroun, Salih Kusheeb and the other suspects to send them to the “Hague” headquarters of the ICC to be charged.

We say to activists that the rhetoric of appeasement for “peace” will only continue to hurt Darfuri refugees and prolong their endless sufferings. Don’t do this to those trusted you and welcomed you with cheers and smiles during your visit to their makeshift camps in that remote area of the world.

We understand all the challenges that this country is going through. But still America is the greatest nation in the world and is capable of leading the rest of the nations of conscience to fulfill the promises of change for a better and peaceful world that everyone can enjoy without fear.

We recognize the continued need for compassionate nations and people to seek mercy in the sake of peace. But compassionate nations don’t look the other way at genocide. Compassionate nations don’t abandon helpless victims and embrace cruel dictators. Compassionate nations must not abandon criminal law, justice, and human rights necessary for the consistent application of law for peace. They must show the world that crimes against humanity have consequences.

For too many years, the nations of the world have shown tolerance and silence to the war criminal Al-Bashir. It is past time for the nations of the world to begin to show mercy towards Al-Bashir’s many victims and demonstrate enough compassion to care for justice for Al-Bashir’s victims and to tell Al-Bashir and other war criminals “Never Again.”

If the compassionate people and nations of the world fail to seek justice, dignity, and human rights in Darfur, what message will this send to those who seek to oppress others and rob them of their human rights around the world? If we suspend the ICC indictment against Al-Bashir, why bother to have international law and a standard of human rights that rejects genocide and war crimes?

Mr. Prendergast and Mr. Clooney are concerned about a “slow-motion war.” Who will be concerned about the “slow-motion” denial of human rights, dignity, and justice for the people of Darfur and Sudan?

Sudan: Representatives Advise UN Security Council, Violence and Genocide Continues

CNN – “Sudan: Special reps brief U.N. Security Council on Sudan”
— CNN reports: “U.N.-AU Representative Gambari explained that parts of Darfur remained ‘tense and volatile,’ with 447 deaths reported in May alone. He told Council members that this recent upsurge in violence has created ‘very serious hindrances to the effective implementation’ of his protection mandate, as well as to humanitarian assistance efforts for ‘those in dire need of such support.'”
— “The Oxfam International aid organization released a statement coinciding with the Security Council meeting, saying that international attention has shifted away from Sudan and the Darfur conflict ‘at a time when it is desperately needed.'”
— U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice states: “With respect to elections, let me reiterate that the April elections were characterized by serious irregularities.” “She explained how ‘the international community stands ready to provide diplomatic and technical support,’ but only if there are sincere efforts to address the serious and difficult issues facing the country.”
— “Monday’s meeting followed a Security Council update Friday from International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, which Rice called ‘disturbing’ during her statements on Monday.”
— “Moreno-Ocampo told Council members that attacks against civilians persist, and ‘the crime of extermination against millions of displaced into camps continues.’ He called on the U.N. to produce an updated comprehensive report on the situation in camps and villages ‘to allow the international community to consider the current extent of the suffering of civilians.'”
— “The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Sudan’s sitting President, Omar al-Bashir in March 2009 for various war crimes, including ‘extermination.'”
— “‘The crime of extermination does not require killing by bullets,’ Moreno-Ocampo told the Security Council. He said ‘the deprivation of access to food and medicine, calculated to bring about the destruction of part of a population’ also applies.”
— “Although the US is not a member of the Court, Rice said Monday that ‘the United States strongly supports international efforts to bring those responsible for genocide and war crimes in Darfur to justice.'”

DC Public Remembers Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

On a hot and rainy day in Washington DC, on Sunday, June 13, 2010, volunteers of diverse religions, races, ethnic backgrounds, genders, and age groups came together to remember the June 2009 attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and to remember the tragic death of museum guard Stephen Tyrone Johns a year ago on June 10, 2009.

We Remember June 10, 2009 Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (Photos: Left - AP, Right - USHMM) — We Remember June 10, 2009 Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (Photos: Left – AP, Right – USHMM)

The public remembrance at Washington DC’s Freedom Plaza was organized by Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.), a human rights volunteer group that pulls together coalitions of volunteers from among the public for activism and public awareness on human rights issues. Among R.E.A.L.’s core issues are religious freedom/pluralism and racial equality, which R.E.A.L. saw the June 10, 2009 attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum as defying such freedoms, urging “Never Again” to hate.

Speakers from among the public included R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm, Elisa Tetreault, Mrs. N. Washington, and Damanga Executive Director Mohamed Yahya. Other volunteers came to help organize, record, and promote the event among the public. Attendees included an employee of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum who attended as a private individual, and who expressed his appreciation for the volunteers’ public remembrance. Media attendees included FOX 5 News and a contributor to the Washington Jewish Week.

The event began with a brief rain shower, but the location of the event on the east side of Freedom Plaza provided some natural protection by nearby trees, and the shower quickly passed. With a breeze that periodically gusted, volunteers held signs reading “We Remember June 10 Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum,” “We Remember Stephen Johns,” “Together for Love and Tolerance,” and “Choose Love, Not Hate, Love Wins.”

FOX 5 News Video

R.E.A.L. YouTube Video of Excerpts of Public Remembrance

Jeffrey Imm spoke of the need to have a public remembrance on the June 10 attack and the murder of Stephen Tyrone Johns, in addition to the museum’s private remembrance on the morning of June 10. He stated that the volunteers had gathered to share the grief of Mr. Johns’ family and also to stand united to defy hate and to urge “our fellow human beings to Choose Love, Not Hate.” He also stated that he recognized that some had told him that they were afraid to come to a public remembrance, but we should not let fear terrorize us from standing up for equality, liberty, dignity, and love for our fellow human beings.

He stated that “Some believe that this attack was someone else’s problem. They believe that the attacker James Von Brunn’s white supremacist hate is only a problem for non-whites, and has nothing to do with the Jewish public. Some believe that his Holocaust Denial is only a problem for those remember the Holocaust, and this is only a problem for the Jewish world. But the fact is that terrorist attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was attack based on hate. No one could possibly doubt that an attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was a attack on all Jews – not just one type of Jew, American Jews, or Jews in Washington DC – but an attack on all Jewish people everywhere around the world. Moreover, the attacker’s Holocaust Denial is an attack against the terrible truth of the Holocaust itself. No one could possibly doubt that this attack by a white supremacist also was hatred against black Americans.”

“But the attack was not just against Jews and black, not just in Washington DC, and not just Americans. The attack was one motivated by hate itself. The terrorist Von Brunn himself documented his philosophy in writing to a Nazi sympathizer in Germany, stating that hate was ‘natural, normal and necessary,’ and that ‘compassionate nations’ would ‘die.’ Such an attack of hate was one that speaks to the violence against all people that have compassion, all people that defy genocide, all people that seek justice, and yes all people that seek to love their fellow human beings. The cancer of hate leads to that much destruction. We stand here today united, not just to remember that attack on June 10, 2009, but also to reject that hate that motivated it. We stand here today to remember the awful consequences of allowing hate to go unchallenged. We stand here today to say ‘Never Again’ to such hate, not just in others, but also in ourselves. But in our challenge to hate, in our unwillingness to be afraid, we don’t offer an upraised fist, but we offer an outstretched hand. We urge those who hate to drop the burden of hate from their hearts. We urge them to Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.”

Jeffrey Imm Speaks on Remembering Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Elisa Tetreault that all “men and women are equal before the law, without discrimination because of sex, blood, language, social origin, or religion. Equality is not something that you should practice because it is the law, but something you should practice because it is right.” She urged others “to take a look at who we are, take a look at who we are standing next to. It can be men, women, gay, straight, black, white, Latino, Asian, Christian, Jewish, Muslim. Each of us are fighting for justice in different ways.”

She stated that: “On June 10, 2009, Stephen Tyrone Johns was shot to death by a white supremacist and Holocaust Denier. It is tragic when anyone loses their life, especially at the hands of hate. It is hard to believe that the actions of one person can cause so much hurt. The truth is that all it takes is one person. What I have learned is that we all make a difference. A wise man once said ‘I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.’ This is what we are here for. This is what we are fighting for. It does not matter your skin color or the religion you practice or your sexual orientation, we are all equal, we all bleed the same color. I stand here before you to say that one person can make change. Act as if what you do makes a difference, because it does. Remember to Choose Love, Not Hate.”

Elisa Tetreault Speaks on Remembering Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Damanga Executive Director Mohamed Yahya has great experience in fighting against hate in the ongoing genocide in Sudan’s Darfur. Mr. Yahya spoke of his sympathy and grief for Stephen Tyrone Johns in his efforts to protect the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum as a real hero and a great, great man. He spoke of how America is viewed around the world as a nation that prizes freedom, equality, liberty, and compassion toward others – freedoms and dignity that is lost in many other parts of the world, including his war-torn home of Darfur and Sudan. Mohamed Yahya has been recognized as a leading fighter against genocide by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Mohamed Yahya Speaks on Remembering Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Mrs. Washington spoke of the importance of remembering the attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was not a random act of violence, but was a targeted attempt to attack and terrorize Jewish Americans and to deny the reality of the Holocaust itself. Mrs. Washington also pointed to the importance of where this public remembrance was being held – Freedom Plaza, and the important symbolic nature of this location. The Freedom Plaza in Washington DC is named in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., who worked on his “I Have a Dream” speech in the nearby Willard Hotel. In 1988, a time capsule containing a Bible, a robe, and other relics of King’s was planted at the site.

Mrs. Washington urged the public to stop and take a moment to reflect on such critical issues for our freedom as the need to stand defiant against hate and the need to understand that an attack on the human rights of one of us represented an attack on such rights for all of us. Mrs. Washington pointed to the need to continue to realize this dream of equality and liberty, dignity, respect, and love for all of our fellow Americans and fellow human beings.

Mrs. Washington Speaks on Remembering Attack on U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

The volunteers stood together at the Freedom Plaza area to urge others to Choose Love, Not Hate.

Volunteers Urge All to Choose Love, Not Hate

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) applauds the efforts by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to continue to record and share the concerns and sympathies of the public regarding this terrorist attack, and urges the public to also publicly pledge their support against hate. R.E.A.L. also urges all to make a gift to the USHMM Stephen Tyrone Johns Summer Youth Leadership Program Endowment Fund.

Freedom Plaza - Washington DC - 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW - Site of April 11 Rally for Chinese Freedom — Freedom Plaza – Washington DC – Open Air Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue – Between 13 and 14th Streets NW – Site of June 13, 2010 Public Remembrance of Attack on US Holocaust Memorial Museum

Love Wins: Volunteers Offer Love, Tolerance to White Nationalist Heckler at Holocaust Memorial Museum Remembrance

On June 13, 2010, volunteers from the Washington DC area joined together to have a public remembrance of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum attack on June 2009 and to remember the tragic murder of museum guard Stephen Tyrone Johns by white supremacist, Holocaust Denier James Von Brunn. We also remember that there were those whose hearts were burdened by hate, who praised Von Brunn’s terrorism, and that the struggle against white supremacism and anti-Semitism continues.

Near the end of the public remembrance of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Musaum attack, two members of a Charlottesville, Virginia-based “white nationalist,” anti-Semitic group, Occidental Dissent, sought to heckle speakers at the public remembrance. 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.” The visitors included the group’s leader who calls himself the pseudonym “Hunter Wallace” or “Prozium” (based on the movie “Equilibrium”) and Mike Capatano (who left after a moment). The group’s leader “Hunter Wallace” remained behind, wearing a yellow Gadsden Flag shirt.

White Nationalist from Anti-Semitic Occidental Dissent Group Visits Public Remembrance of U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Attack

The group leader briefly heckled Mohamed Yahya, who is a well-known leader in fighting against genocide who has been recognized by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The group has previously criticized the efforts of Mr. Yahya and others in struggling against genocide, as well as those defying racial hatred.

As shown in a video of our encounter with the visitor, Mohamed Yahya’s response was “I love you… if you hate me, I give you love.”

Mohamed Yahya Responds to White Nationalist Heckler: "If you hate me, I love you"

Volunteers Stand United in Love and Tolerance - Urging All to Choose Love, Not Hate

R.E.A.L. founder Jeffrey Imm quickly reached out to the Occidental Group group leader, as one of our brothers and sisters in humanity who we must work to reach, and indicated this demonstrated an important reason why we held such a public remembrance. The R.E.A.L. founder pointed out that we do not offer an upraised fist against white supremacism and anti-Semitism, but we offer an outstretched hand to all to choose love, not hate. R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm then in fact extended such an outstretched hand to the group’s leader and urged him to choose love, not hate.

Volunteers Offer an Outstretched Hand, Not an Upraised Fist - to White Nationalism and Anti-Semitic Group Leader - Choose Love, Not Hate — Jeffrey Imm, Mohamed Yahya, and Mrs. Washington Offer an Outstretched Hand, Not an Upraised Fist - to White Nationalism and Anti-Semitic Group Leader - We Urge Choose Love, Not Hate

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

A prayer was later said to call upon us all to remove the burden of hate from all of our hearts.

Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.

Afghanistan: Protesters, Parliament Members Threaten Christians

In Afghanistan, over 1,000 protesters have demonstrated in Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan against foreign Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and allegations of proselytizing by two Christian aid organizations, with protesters calling for punishment against Christian converts.

Afghanistan: Over 1000 at Mazar-e-Sharif Protest against Christian Converts

This June 8 protest follows a previous demonstration on May 31, 2010, where hundreds of protesters at Kabul University called for the death or expulsion of any those who might seek to convert Afghans to Christianity.

Afghanistan: Mazar-e-Sharif Protesters Upraised Fists against Christian Converts

The latest protest demonstration in Mazar-e-Sharif on June 8, 2010, called for organizations that proselytized in Afghanistan be banned and burned an effigy of Catholic Pope Benedict XVI. The hour-long protest in Mazar-e-Sharif was composed mostly of students, who chanted “Death to America! Long live Islam!” (See also link to 3 News video.)

Afghanistan: Mazar-e-Sharif Protesters Burning Effigy of Pope Benedict XVI

New Zealand’s 3 News quoted one protester Zabiullah Khan as stating: “We want those who have converted from Islam to be punished. We also want the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to ban all the churches that have been established and any organization spreading Christianity here.” On May 31, 2010, Radio Free Europe/Radio Free Liberty reported that “Those found to be promoting Christianity or any other non-Muslim creed can face the death penalty.” Previously Afghanistan judges, prosecutors, clerics, and Parliament members have called for the death penalty for Afghans who converting to Christianity.

The US-based World Church Service and the Norwegian Church Aid were suspended from operations in Afghanistan after a local television claimed that they were promoting Christianity, which is illegal in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, despite claims in its Constitution observes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Both organizations denied these accusations.

The Church World Service Deputy Director and Head of Programs Maurice A. Bloem stated that “Our work is entirely humanitarian — meaning we are impartial, neutral, and independent. We fully adhere to and support the Red Cross/Red Crescent Code of Conduct, which mandates that Ingots do nothing to further a religious agenda. We have never and will never engage in any religious proselytism. Such activities are contrary to our mandate as a humanitarian organization, and we fully respect the religion of the communities we serve. Any allegations that we have engaged in proselytism are entirely false — and we are fully cooperating with the investigation by the Ministry of Economy and look forward to its result.”

The Norwegian Church Aid denied this allegation stating that “In Afghanistan, as in the rest of the world, Norwegian Church Aid does not work to convert people to another religion.”

On June 1, 2010, a member of the Afghanistan Parliament called for the death penalty for any possible Christian converts. AFP and ICC reported that Abdul Sattar Khawasi, deputy secretary of the Afghan lower house in parliament, called for the death penalty of Afghanistan citizens choosing to become Christians, shown in a television program showing Afghans being baptized with water. Khawasi stated: “Those Afghans that appeared in this video film should be executed in public, the house should order the attorney general and the NDS (intelligence agency) to arrest these Afghans and execute them.” RAWA also reported that “Qazi Nazir Ahmad, a lawmaker from the western province of Herat, said killing a converted Muslim was ‘not a crime.'”

Image of Afghan Being Baptized - Shown to Afghanistan Parliament

The Afghanistan Parliament has previously called for the death of other Afghans who converted to Christianity. In the report of a previous Christian convert, the Afghanistan Parliament demanded that the individual not be allowed to flee the country to escape the death penalty for his freedom of conscience.

Such rejection of freedom of conscience is contrary to the Afghanistan Constitution which claims to “observe” the Universal Declaration of Human Rights , according to Article 7 of the Afghanistan Constitution which reads: “The state shall observe the United Nations Charter, inter-state agreements, as well as international treaties to which Afghanistan has joined, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

Afghan Parliament Calling for Death Penalty for Apostates (Photo: Gulf Times)

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our unqualified, universal human rights for all people – including their freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience, as defined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “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.” Our unqualified support for such universal human rights do not apply just for those we like or those who are like us, but for all people, everywhere, whether it is convenient or not, and whether it is popular or not.

We offer an outstretched hand, not an upraised fist, to those who reject such freedoms, and urge them to understand that such human rights are for us all.

We urge the Afghan people, the Afghanistan government to accept such universal human rights for all people. We call upon the United States government, international governments, international bodies, and the American and European people involved in the Afghanistan war to demand genuine support of such universal human rights by the Afghanistan government – and to be Responsible for Equality And Liberty.

We urge those who support hatred and violence to people of different faiths and different identity groups, to release the burden of hate and violence from your hearts. Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.