Saturday, July 27, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR: Obama Must Condemn 'Massacre' of Pro-Democracy Protesters in Egypt
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/27/13) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, today called on the Obama administration to forcefully condemn the killing of dozens of pro-democracy demonstrators by Egyptian security forces.
CAIR also urged the president use the leverage of taxpayer funds being sent to that nation's military to push for a return to democracy.

In a statement following the mass killing of protesters, CAIR said:
"We urge an end to the silence over the ongoing massacres of peaceful pro-democracy activists in Egypt by forces that receive billions of American taxpayer dollars.

"We join with those in Egypt and in the international community who are condemning the violence, including Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmed al-Tayyeb, who said he 'deplores and condemns the deaths of a number of martyrs who were victims of today's events.'

"Condemnations came from across the political spectrum, including from Mohamed ElBaradei, who strongly condemned the 'excessive use of force.' British Foreign Secretary William Hague said: 'I call on the Egyptian authorities to respect the right of peaceful protest, to cease the use of violence against protesters, including live fire, and to hold to account those responsible.'

"Without a clear condemnation of the killings, we send the message that even more repressive measures may be taken against the demonstrators.

"The clearest indicator of our nation's revulsion at the killings would be to suspend all American military aid until the violence stops and democratic freedoms are restored."
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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