Template

As Ramadan Begins, American Islamic Congress Opens New Office in Cairo
    Move Aims to Bolster Bloggers and Free Speech Advocates

    CAIRO, Egypt, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Islamic
Congress (AIC), an organization founded after the September 11 attacks to
promote pluralism and understanding, announced today the opening of an
office in Cairo -- the first such overseas office for a US Muslim civil
rights organization.

    The announcement coincides with the start of Ramadan, a month-long
period of fasting and introspection. Dalia Ziada, 25, who first came to the
attention of AIC after competing in its "Dream Deferred Essay Contest on
Civil Rights," was named as Director of AIC-Egypt.

    "The Muslim-American agenda is typically defined by overseas
communities bringing their issues to the US," said Zainab Al-Suwaij, AIC's
Executive Director. "We're reversing that flow. America's pluralism and
civic freedoms have enabled Muslims to thrive - and American Muslims need
to promote these values in the heart of the Muslim world. Our new Cairo
office will further this goal."

    AIC-Egypt will focus on three key areas: protecting free expression for
blogger-activists, promoting nonviolence and unequivocal denunciation of
terrorism, and working to halt abuses against women.



    Ziada, who will run the office in Nasr City, is herself a survivor of
female genital mutilation and a blogger-activist. As an organizer of the
campaign to help free jailed blogger Kareem Amer, she has been interviewed
by international media outlets and published in the International Herald
Tribune.

    "On this week of the anniversary of the 9-11 attacks and the beginning
of Ramadan, it is more important than ever to advance human rights
programming," said Ziada. "Bloggers in the Middle East are increasingly at
risk of arrest, violent extremism is on the rise, and women face growing
discrimination. I am determined to take a stand for pluralism, liberty, and
equality."

    "On September 11, 2001, Cairo-native Mohammad Atta brought his
destructive vision to America," noted AIC director Al-Suwaij. "Six years
later, the AIC is bringing a creative vision of nonviolence and civil
rights to Atta's hometown. This reversal underscores our commitment to
religious pluralism and individual rights. Because of our unique
experience, American Muslims can be key catalysts for positive reform in
the larger Muslim world."
terms and conditions