CAIR, WHO, Sheila Jackson Lee Urge Congress to Pass Legislation Denouncing Human Rights Violations Against Women in the US and the World

CAIR, October 10, 2007

Jackson Lee says, “It Is Time for Congress to Raise a Unified Voice and Condemn Gender-Based Persecutions Against Women Around the World”

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, together with the National Organization of Women and others, call on Congress to pass her resolution, H. Res. 32, “Denouncing the Practices of Female Genital Mutilation, Domestic Violence, ‘Honor’ Killings, and Human Rights Violations Against Women.”

“Over 7,000 women in India are killed by their families and in-laws in disputes over dowries annually. More than 15,000 women will be sold as sexual slaves in China this year. In North Africa, 6,000 women are genitally mutilated each day. Even here, in the United States, a woman is raped every six minutes and a woman is battered every 15 seconds. It is time for Congress to raise a unified voice and condemn gender-based persecutions against women around the world.”

WHO: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Kim Gandy, President of the National Organization of Women (NOW)
Nihad Awad, National Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

WHAT: Press Conference urging Congress to pass H. Res. 32, Denouncing the Practices of Female Genital Mutilation, Domestic Violence,`Honor' Killings, and Other Human Rights Violations Against Women”

WHEN: Tuesday October 9, 2007, 3:30 PM (EST)
WHERE: Capitol Hill
Cannon House Office Building (Cannon Terrace)
First and C Streets
Outdoor Terrace
Washington, DC 20515

Contact: Judith Kargbo
202-225-3816
202-225-7080

Statement of CAIR Executive Director Supporting H. Res. 32

Posted 10/9/2007 3:05:00 PM

On behalf of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, I am here to express my support for House Resolution 32. I would also like to express our tremendous appreciation to Representative Sheila Jackson Lee for her leadership on this and other vital issues.

CAIR joins in calling for an end to female genital mutilation, domestic violence, so-called “honor killings,” and other gender-based human rights violations against women. These unjust and degrading acts contradict the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. When such acts do occur, it is in spite of Islam, not because of it.

Islam honors women and requires just treatment of all people. Those who disrespect women, or – worse – abuse, mutilate or kill them, are acting in direct contradiction to our faith, which obligates us to speak out for justice. In this spirit, I am honored to support this resolution on behalf of CAIR and the American Muslim community.

Debasing women not only harms individuals, but harms whole societies by preventing women’s full participation in establishing a just and moral society. Perpetrators of these barbaric acts claim any number of philosophical, political or religious justifications.

CAIR, keeping with our obligation to establish justice, stands with those who reject such justifications.

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