FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO (July 17, 2009) – The American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) is calling on American Muslim organizations to denounce Hizb ut-Tahrir, one of the oldest and largest indoctrinating organizations for jihadism. Hizb ut-Tahrir is holding its first U.S. recruiting conference at the Hilton Oak Lawn hotel on July 19, 2009.

Hizb ut-Tahrir is an Islamist network that is committed to creating an Islamic Caliphate that spans the globe. The organization is banned in Germany and Russia as well as several Arab countries and targets Muslim children between the ages of 9 and 18. Many compare their efforts to organizations like the Hitler Youth. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, is counted among their alumnus.

“Americans need to be vigilant to not allow Hizb ut-Tahrir to establish a stronghold in the American Muslim Community,” said Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, President of AIFD. “All American Muslim organizations including CAIR (Council for American Islamic Relations) and ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) need to be on the record that Hizb ut-Tahrir’s actions, ideologies and mission are unacceptable to both Americans and as Muslims.”

AIFD is the most prominent American Muslim organization confronting the ideologies of political Islam and openly countering the belief that the Muslim faith is inextricably rooted to the concept of the Islamic State. AIFD believes that Muslims can better practice their faith when they are liberated by the separation of mosque and state.

“Hizb ut-Tahrir preaches an ideology that calls for the destruction of the principles that America is founded on,” said Dr. Jasser. “While their words are protected by our First Amendment, their actions and movement must not be allowed to take hold. The silence of American Islamist organizations like CAIR and ISNA in condemning the ideologies of Hizb ut-Tahrir and their agenda of insurgency in America speaks volumes to their own, albeit, more camouflaged Islamist agenda.”

AIFD seeks to fuel a movement within the Muslim consciousness and community which separates mosque and state. AIFD accomplishes its mission by educating Muslims on the value of Liberty and Freedom to the expression of faith and through the contest of ideas among non-Muslims and Muslims.

About the American Islamic Foundation for Democracy

AIFD’s mission is to advocate for the preservation of the founding principles of the United States Constitution and demonstrate that the separation of mosque and state and the tenets of Liberty and Freedom are integral to the Muslim Faith. For more information on AIFD, please visit our website at http://www.aifdemocracy.org/

MEDIA CONTACTS: Matthew Dutile

Gordon C. James Public Relations

mdutile@gcjpr.com

602-274-1988 / 480-296-6193

NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Washington, DC) – On Monday, M. Zuhdi Jasser, President and Chairman of the Board of American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) participated in an historic summit at the US Capitol. Jasser met with Heads of US Agencies, Members of Congress and congressional staff during an historic Moderate Muslim Summit organized by US Representative Sue Myrick (NC-09). The summit was a first of its kind because it assembled the largest group of diverse Muslims at the US Capitol to discuss issues and policy impacting Muslim communities and societies.

At the summit, Muslim leaders were able to meet with representatives from the State Department, USAID, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense in order to emphasize the importance of having a diverse Muslim voice when addressing Muslim communities and societies. They shared their thoughts and opinions on US foreign policy and aid, and how the US government can do a better job at reaching out and hearing from a more diverse group of Muslims rather than just the largest Muslim organizations that represent a minority opinion in the Muslim community.

“I’ve been working with AIFD on their projects and use them as a resource to help me,” said Rep. Myrick. “We set up this summit so I could introduce them to other Members of Congress and US agencies in hopes they will work with them on their projects and use them as a resource as well. The meetings were a great success, and I believe this summit was the first step to empower AIFD, as well as the other leaders present, in hopes that they will be a strong force in helping our government in combating radical Islamists and extremism”.

Leaders from the following organizations were also present at the summit:

• Dr. Hedieh Mirahmadi- President World Organization for Resource Development and Education (WORDE)
• Farid Ghadry- President of the Reform Party of Syria
• Manda Zand Ervin the founder and director of the Alliance of Iranian Women
• Dr. Ali H. Alyami- Executive Director, The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia
• Omran Salman- Arab Reformists Project, ‘Aafaq (Arabic for “horizons”).
• Karim Bromund, Director of Inter-Religious Affairs for the Islamic Supreme Council of America

Dr Walid Phares, Senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and academic advisor to the Congressional Anti-Terrorism Caucus, moderated the summit.

About the American Islamic Forum for Democracy

AIFD’s mission is to advocate for the preservation of the founding principles of the United States Constitution and demonstrate that the separation of mosque and state and the tenets of Liberty and Freedom are integral to the Muslim Faith. For more information on AIFD, please visit our website at http://www.aifdemocracy.org/