25 Muslim Activists Endorse Faithkeepers

Faithkeepers has been endorsed by a group of Muslim activists concerned about the persecution of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East.

Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, President of the American-Islamic Forum for Democracy, endorsed the film as follows:

Faithkeepers is a timely film that raises public awareness of the plight of minorities under the oppressive forces of Islamist movements and their regimes. It is patently absurd to claim that such an awareness is somehow anti-Muslim. No. In fact there is nothing more pro-Muslim and pro-Islam than shining a light upon the tyrannical forces of Islamist theocrats who suffocate free speech, religious freedom, and all minority voices including anti-Islamist Muslim dissidents and reformers. Anything humanity can do to shine this light is a legacy that will benefit all future generations Muslim and non-Muslim. The forces opposed to this film and its efforts to educate are only helping the global forces of Islamist tyranny and their efforts to monopolize the diverse voices of our Muslim communities.

M. Zuhdi Jasser, President, American Islamic Forum for Democracy

The collective endorsement signed by the other 24 is as follows:

As Muslims, we applaud the makers of the powerful documentary, “Faithkeepers,” for bringing attention to the persecution of Christians and other minorities, including Muslims, in the Middle East. We urge all houses of worship to show the film and take action to help those in need so that we may live in peace and freedom together, regardless of faith.

We understand that there will be those with various agendas who will try to suppress this film using false accusations that it is ‘Islamophobic’ or bigoted. We find it to be neither. We are disappointed that opponents would choose character assassination of the filmmakers over constructive criticism and dialogue.

We, like the makers of the film, oppose anti-Muslim bigotry. We see an opportunity for Muslims to counter such bigotry by supporting “Faithkeepers,” standing arm-in-arm with people of all faiths against the Islamist extremists and other persecutors committing these atrocities.

Let us come together and come to the rescue of those in need.

Signed,

Raheel Raza
President, Council for Muslims Facing Tomorrow

Stephen Suleyman Schwartz
Executive Director, Center for Islamic Pluralism

Sheikh Ahmed Subhy Mansour
President, International Quranic Center

Tawfik Hamid
Islamic thinker and reformer

Dr. Mohamad Kamal Allabwani
Founder of the Syrian Liberal Democratic Union and Director of the Damascus Institute for Research and Studies

Oubai Shahbandar
Arab News columnist, former senior adviser to the Defense Department, international security program fellow for New America and Syrian-American analyst.

Anila Ali
President, American Muslim Women’s Empowerment Council, member of the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism and Democratic Party activist.

Shireen Qudosi
Director of Muslim Matters at America Matters and founding editor of the Qudosi Chronicles.

Tahir Gora
President, Progressive Muslim Network Worldwide

Christopher Bilardi
Research Director, Center for Islamic Pluralism

Ahmad Vanya
Muslim activist for Islamic reform

Hasan Mahmud
General Secretary, Council for Muslims Facing Tomorrow

Farzana Hassan
Columnist, Toronto Sun

Waseem Mahmood
Chairman, Yeh Hum Nahin (This is Not Us) Foundation in Pakistan and contributor to U.S. State Department Countering Violent Extremism projects

Salim Mansur
Vice President, Council for Muslims Facing Tomorrow

Bilal Rashid
Former President, Burmese Muslim Association

Sohail Raza
Director, Forum for Learning

Noor Dahri
Founder and Director, Pakistan-Israel Alliance

Imaad Malik
Consultant for Special Projects, Center for Islamic Pluralism

Mudar Zahran
Secretary-General, Jordanian Opposition Coalition

Dr. Mike Mohamed Ghouse
President, Center for Pluralism

Amed Khan
Founder of Elpida Home, President of Paradigm Global Group, Inc. and Deputy Chief Operating Officer of the Clinton-Gore presidential campaign in 1996.

Ajmal Sohail
Leader, Afghan Liberal Party

Johnny Martin
Youth Director, Arizona Interfaith Movement & supporter of the Muslim Reform Movement