MPAC Demands Congressman Sherman Ensure Credible Testimony or Postpone Hearing
July 29, 2008
Today, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) released a letter urging Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) to either provide credible experts at an upcoming hearing on foreign aid, or postpone the hearing until credible experts can be found.
SEE: Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Hearing Information (U.S. House of Representatives, 7/28/08)
Congressman Brad Sherman, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, will call on self-proclaimed "terrorism expert" Steven Emerson to testify at the congressional hearing. Emerson, who has a proven track record of anti-Muslim bigotry, is not a credible expert on foreign aid or foreign policy.
MPAC’s letter calls for the Congressman to "ensure that those who are relied upon for knowledge have the requisite expertise, experience, and nuanced outlook. In the interest of maintaining a good balance of views, we urge you to include an additional panelist from an NGO, university, or think-tank that can represent the positive role of civil society organizations in challenging terrorism. If, however, you cannot find any other witnesses that can balance the current witness panel, we request that you cancel or postpone panel until such time as the committee is able to convene an unbiased slate of witnesses."
"In the interest of effective and informed policy-making, it our sincere hope that the Congressman heeds this request and proceeds accordingly." said Salam Al-Marayati, MPAC Executive Director. "Misinformation could lead to disastrous initiatives, leading the U.S. further away from realizing its foreign policy objectives." Click here to read the letter in its entirety.
ACT NOW!
Contact Congressman Brad Sherman by phone or fax, let him know that he must either provide unbiased, qualified experts for this Thursday's hearing - or cancel the panel.
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