ACTION ALERT: Call White House, State Dept & Elected Officials to Express Concern Over Egyptian Govt Crackdown on Peaceful Protests

January 28, 2011


As we witness the people's non-violent movement for democracy in the Muslim world, first initiated in Tunisia and now pivoting in Egypt, we as Muslim Americans must play an active role to help guarantee democratic reforms.

We pursue these moral goals out of our religious obligation for freedom of all people here and abroad, and out of our American commitment to help freedom-loving people anywhere and everywhere. The demonstrations currently taking place in Egypt -- as in Tunisia, Jordan, Yemen and elsewhere -- are a representation of people of all persuasions and not led by one ideology, nor driven by one faith.

As a community, we are primarily Muslim American, with roots in the Muslim world. With a unique ability to serve as a cross-cultural bridge, we can and must help guide our country, the United States, to align her foreign policy with American values, including:

  • The God-given right to oppose tyranny and oppression
  • The human need to rid all governments from corruption so that all people in a society -- including the common man and woman, the family and the under-represented people -- can benefit from the fruits of their country's resources

We appreciate the admonition of President Barack Obama, who demanded that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak heed the will of his people. We therefore call on our members of Congress and on our President to pursue the following:

  • Do not consider the Egyptian government and the Egyptian people as moral equivalents. One is an oppressor and the other is the oppressed.
  • Demand that all internet, media, and communications in Egypt free and without obstruction. Manipulating power in certain neighborhoods of Egypt only leads to the segregation of the country into cantons.
  • Call for an immediate end to the current regime's violent treatment of its people, especially through arbitrary arrests and torture.
  • Understand the people's will and pursue it through diplomatic talks with the Egyptian government.
  • Meet with Muslim American leaders who understand Egypt.

TAKE ACTION:

  • Visit Congress.org and enter your zip code to get all the necessary contact information for your elected representatives. In just five minutes, you can make a phone call and send an email. Tell your elected officials to support the Egyptian people and further urge U.S. government support for democratic reform in Egypt.
  • You can also contact the Capitol Hill switchboard to directly ask for your elected Representative or Senator:
    • Capitol Hill Switchboard: 202-224-3121
  • Also contact the White House and State Department switchboards and tell President Obama and Secretary Clinton to continue supporting democratic change in Egypt.
    • White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111
    • White House Switchboard: 202-456-1414
    • State Department Switchboard: 202-647-4000
  • For those who want to take action in the streets of America this weekend, be aware of saboteurs. Do not allow your events to turn violent.
  • Meet with your elected representatives. For assistance in setting up these meetings, call MPAC: In Los Angeles: 213-383-3443 In Washington: 202- 544-7701.

SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS:

  • Please support the Egyptian people and their aspirations for democratic reform in Egypt.
  • All internet, media, and communications with Egypt must be restored and provided without obstruction. Manipulating power in certain in certain neighborhoods divides the country and makes it easier for military forces to violently crackdown on protesters.
  • The Egyptian government has used excessive force and engaged in violently oppressive tactics. President Obama, Secretary Clinton and our elected officials must call for an immediate end to Mubarak's cruel treatment of his people, especially through arbitrary arrests and torture.



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