January 2018 Newsletter

IDC in the News

Christianity Today, January 18th
UK should follow Trump and give aid directly to Middle Eastern churches, says former cabinet minister
CBN News, January 15th
Promise Kept: U.S. Aid Bypassing UN to Help Christian Victims of ISIS,
The Christian Post, January 13th
Trump Designates $55 Million to Help Christians, Religious Minorities Rebuild in Iraq
The Hill, January 8th
US strikes deal with UN agency on funding for minority groups in Iraq
Religion News Service, January 8th
Is Trump widening a rift between the evangelicals and Mideast Christians?
Washington Post, January 8th
‘Walking a line’-The shrewd tactics of the White House’s evangelical gatekeeper
Muftah Magazine, January 8th
What Will Happen To Minorities in Syria and Iraq After ISIS
American Interest, December 21st
Iran’s Inroads into Christian Iraq
Voice of America, December 19th
Iraqi Boy Lobbies World to Rebuild Hometown After IS
National Review, December 17th
Jerusalem and Middle Eastern Christians
Egypt Today, December 12th
More summits on Jerusalem: Saudi-Jordanian leaders convene
The Christian Times, December 7th
Mike Pence meets with Iraqi archbishop to discuss US aid to persecuted Christians

IDC Activities

In December 2017, IDC attended many events around Washington D.C. focused on helping Christians, Yezidis, and other religious minorities across the Middle East.

At the Philos Project Young Leaders two- day Conference which gathered students and young professionals in the Philos network in Washington, DC, IDC Executive Director Philippe Nassif spoke on a panel on “Jews, Christians and the Islamic civil war” about the importance of Christians in the Middle East especially in a country like Lebanon where they are often forgotten.

IDC Advocate Eva Hazqeal and genocide survivors from Iraq met with Vice President Mike Pence who was deeply affected by this gathering and tweeted the following:

“Met w/ 12-yr old Noeh from Iraq. ISIS destroyed his home & he fled leaving everything behind. When they returned, their town was burnt to the ground. The plight of Noeh & thousands of others like him is why- The President- ordered us to directly aid the persecuted. Help is on the way!”

IDC Religious Adviser His Eminence Bishop Kawak of the Syriac Orthodox church participated in a panel on Christian persecution in the Middle East, organized by the order of Saint Andrew’s Third International Conference on Religious Freedom. His Eminence stressed out that to end persecution, we must work to end the conflict in the Middle East.

Picture Above, from left to right: Very Reverend Father Isaac Crow ( Antiochian Orthodox Church), IDC Director of Media and Communications Ninar Keyrouz, His Eminence Bishop Kawak (Syriac Orthodox Church), and His Grace Bishop Angaelos (Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom).

IDC was also busy in Lebanon; IDC National Outreach Associate Steven Howard led a town hall discussion with Maronite seminarians at the Maronite Patriarchal seminary of Ghazir in Mount Lebanon, North East of Beirut.

IDC Government Relations

IDC has been busy gathering Congressional support for Christians in the Middle East and we are proud of members taking a stand, like Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA-33) who is speaking up for persecuted Coptic Christians by cosponsoring H.Res. 673 and Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL-14) who is demanding justice for Armenian Christians by cosponsoring H.Res 220 which recognizes the genocide of Armenian Christians.

Picture above, right to left: IDC Executive Director Philippe Nassif meet with Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) to discuss supporting persecuted Christians in the Middle East. To the left former Congressman Jerry Weller.

Picture above:
Left: IDC President Toufic Baaklini with Congressman Glenn Grothman who helped HR 407 pass yesterday, a resolution which condemned the persecution of Christians around the world–including the Middle East, also joined by former Congressman Jerry Weller, left.
Right: IDC President Toufic Baaklini meets with Congressman Steve Chabot (OH-1st), center, to discuss supporting the stability of Lebanon, also joined by former Congressman Jerry Weller, left.

Picture above:
Left: IDC President Toufic Baaklini with Congressman Mark Meadows discussing the Christians in Lebanon and the refugee crisis. Joined by former Congressman Jerry Weller and Peter Burns handling IDC Gov. Relations.

Live in Austin or San Antonio?

In February, IDC Executive Director Philippe Nassif will head to Texas for the launches of our Austin and San Antonio chapters.

Wednesday, February 7th at 6:30pm: San Antonio Chapter Roundtable Meeting
Thursday, February 8th at 6:30pm: Austin Chapter Roundtable Meeting

If you are interested in joining our new San Antonio or Austin chapters, please email IDC Naional Outreach Associate Steven Howard at steven@indefenseofchristians.org .