Freedom Fighter: One Man's Fight for One Free World by El Shafie Majed

Author:El Shafie, Majed [El Shafie, Majed]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780768487732
Publisher: Destiny Image
Published: 2012-09-18T05:00:00+00:00

Appendix B

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN EGYPT AND IRAQ

A Statement by Rev. Majed El Shafie

President and Founder of One Free World International before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) (Chairman)

November 17, 2011

INTRODUCTION

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK the members of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights for the opportunity to present our comments and recommendations on this important matter of religious freedom. Our mission and calling is to stand up for religious minorities and individuals around the world who are being persecuted because of their personal beliefs. Our goal in presenting these recommendations is to encourage the United States to step up to the plate and take a principled stand for justice and freedom for religious minorities that are voiceless, vulnerable, and oppressed.

We have been asked to comment specifically on the situation in Egypt and Iraq based on our extensive experience with religious freedom issues in these countries. Our work is not limited to these countries, however, and we would be remiss under the circumstances if we did not include some brief mention of the issues facing religious minorities in Afghanistan and Pakistan, especially given their central role in U.S. foreign policy at the present time.

Freedom of religion is a fundamental, universal right that speaks to the very core of what it means to be human. The basic freedom to believe in (or not believe in) and to practice the religion of one’s choice (or equally to refrain from any religious practice) forms the very basis of human dignity and is a prerequisite for true equality under the law. This right is recognized both by U.S. and international law as foundational and intrinsic to any truly free society, and without freedom of religion experience has shown that there can be no democracy, peace, or security.

In order to live up to its stated commitment to global religious freedom, the United States must take a more comprehensive and proactive approach to this issue, and it must take immediate steps to improve integration of freedom of religion considerations within its overall foreign policy. Although we will not dwell extensively on institutional issues, we would like to note that in order for this shift to take place, both the Office of Religious Freedom and Ambassador-at-Large must be elevated to the status envisioned by Congress in the International Religious Freedom Act. Such concrete steps will send a strong message that the United States is committed to religious freedom as part of its vital foreign policy interests, thereby enabling the United States to have a positive impact on the behaviour of the countries examined in these comments.

We also felt it necessary to briefly comment on some aspects of the International Religious Freedom Report’s portrayal of the situation in Egypt and Iraq. Because this report inevitably shapes the perceptions of U.S. decision-makers, we are concerned that the State Department’s analysis may lead some to underestimate the seriousness of the situation facing religious minorities in both countries.

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