AIFD Congressional Briefing (October 1, 2009): Islamist Terror cannot be defeated without addressing Political Islam

WHO: Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) will be hosting Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, President, AIFD for a Briefing to Congress. Confirmed attendees thus far include Congressman John Shadegg (R-AZ) and Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN). Other members of Congress and staff are also invited for this briefing by AIFD.

WHERE: Rayburn Building, Room 2203

WHEN: Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 1:30 PM

This event is open to the public. Please RSVP to Micaela Cordoba, AIFD at Micaela@aifdemocracy.org

WHAT: Since September 11th, U.S. Government officials have actively pursued a relationship with the Muslim community in America. This outreach has generated much discussion over the role of the U.S. Government with regards to the balance of national security and a concern about any infringement upon the rights of Muslims. Of equal importance, but so far entirely missing in this public discussion of the U.S. Government’s role, has been any tangible discussion with leading Muslims about the responsibilities and roles of American Muslims in countering the national security threat emanating from within the Muslim community itself. On the heels of a number of arrests last week around the country of radical Islamist plots and on the heels of the largest gathering of Muslims at the “Islam on Capitol Hill” prayer service of September 25, 2009, this briefing will open a public discourse focusing on the roles and responsibilities of American Muslims in their communities, mosques, and organizations both inside and outside the nation’s Capitol.

The problem of Muslim radicalization has not gone away since 9/11, and by some estimations the arrests and foiled terror plots by the FBI and Homeland Security are at a frequency not seen since 9/11. Yet, there has been little to no substantive discussion about what exactly fuels this unending and increasing incidence of radical Islamist terror plots.

Some Muslim American groups claimed that the NYPD report, Radicalization in the West: the Homegrown Threat, and the later U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security Study, Violent Islamist Extremism, The Internet, and the Homegrown Terrorist Threat, were “alarmist”. Yet, the fact remains that there is an urgent need to counter many of the Islamist ideologies which contribute to this radicalization and to protect those within the Muslim community in America who have been intimidated and silenced by such extremism.

This briefing to Congress by the American Islamic Forum for Democracy will begin a discussion about what the role of American Muslims should be in countering the ideologies which these reports revealed as threatening our homeland security.

ABOUT AIFD

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.

AIFD seeks to fuel a movement within the Muslim consciousness and community which separates mosque and state. AIFD will accomplish 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.

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, please visit the Web site at www.aifdemocracy.org or call 602.254.1840.