American Islamic Forum for Democracy

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About US

Founding Principles and Resolutions

Resolved in the adoption of the following mission, goals, and founding principles.

Mission: We proud citizens of the United States of America join together as devoted and patriotic citizens and as devout Muslims in this forum in order to serve as a vehicle for the discussion and public awareness of the complete compatibility of America’s founding principles with the very personal faith of Islam which we practice.

Core Principles and Goals:

  1. To be a voice of Muslim American citizenry in strong support of the following:
    1. The devout practice of Islam and the Islamic concept of consultation and consent (shura) as being wholly compatible with the American form of democracy
    2. The support of the separation of religion and state as being perfectly non-contradictory with Koranic principles.
    3. As United States citizens we support our American armed forces.
    4. As United States citizens we support absolute and literal adherence to our citizenship pledge.
    5. We support our American interests, domestic and foreign.

  2. To raise the public consciousness regarding the core principles above and the following additional goals and beliefs:
    1. We will promote tolerance in Islam as being a fundamental principle of the Holy Koran.
      1. We recognize the fact that there are no clergy in Islam and we accept the Koran as our main reference for discussions regarding our faith.
      2. We as a group in recognition of democratic principles  believe that each Muslim is equally entitled to their opinion concerning the religion of Islam.
    2. We will work to educate the public regarding the existence of a special relationship between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
    3. We will work to educate the public regarding the current threat to America of radicals who exploit Islam through militancy.
    4. We explicitly refuse to acknowledge the justification of any form of terrorism (the targeting of civilians and non-combatants).
    5. We believe in that religion is a matter for individual beliefs without any role for the direct involvement of religion in government.
    6. We believe in the equality of the sexes which is well established in the Koran.
    7. We will work to promote and enhance the understanding of Islam in America.
    8. We will work to express the consistency of the principles of Islam with economic principles of free markets and capitalism.
    9. We will work to promote and enhance the education of Muslims in their history and development as it relates to American democracy and freedom.
    10. We will work to promote the appreciation of the integral role of American patriotism and nationalism in the life of Muslim youth in America.
    11. We will work to stimulate the principles which bring about increased understanding and involvement of American Muslim citizens in American life
    12. We will work to formulate expressions of positions on specific areas of American foreign and domestic policy as they relate to American interests and as relevant to the discussion of Islam and democratic principles
    13. While as Muslims and American citizens we will take stands on many of the diverse foreign policy positions of our government, we feel it is necessary to make a foundational position statement regarding the state of Israel. We stand in support of the existing unqualified recognition of the state of Israel behind internationally recognized borders.
    14. We also separately stand in recognition of the need for the completion of the formation of an independent Palestinian state on the current “occupied territories” living side by side next to the established state of Israel.

  3. AIFD is a tax-exempt public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S Internal Revenue code. Contributions are deductible under section 170 of the code.

Submitted this 3rd day of March 2003.