US plans Middle East religious rights envoy

[rug]

The US House of Representatives has voted to establish a US envoy to protect the rights of religious minorities in the Middle East and South Asia, amid rising concern over Egypt, Iraq and Pakistan.

While a marathon debate continued Friday on how to avoid US debt default, the House voted 402 to 20 to require President Barack Obama to set up the envoy post. The Senate must follow suit, but senators from both parties have voiced support.

The envoy will be tasked with pressing minority rights in a broad region covering the Arab world, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. But the bill asks the envoy to prioritize Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Lawmakers voiced concern for the safety of Egypt's Coptic Christians during the transition following the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak. At least two dozen people died in religion-related violence in Egypt in March and May.

http://news.yahoo.com/us-plans-middle-east-religious-rights-envoy-170834521.html

[physioex]

1. You cant make this crap up....

Why don't we start by getting the Taliborn again out of our government and schools?

[darkstar3]

2. Funny,

as I remember reading something in their own damn book about checking the log in one's own eye...

[rug]

3. The House of Representatives wrote a book?

I wonder if Keith Ellison knows.

[trotsky]

4. We only care about religious minorities...

when they are Christians. Duh!

[cleanhippie]

5. Sounds about right.

[rug]

6. What! Call your Congressman right now before it's too late!

"Lawmakers also voiced worries over the treatment of Christians in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Ahmadiyah Muslim minority in Pakistan, Bahais in Iran and Hindus in Bangladesh."

[trotsky]

11. I probably shouldn't, but I'll give you one more try to drop the snark.

Do you honestly think this bill would have gotten the support it did - from Democrats AND Republicans - if it was ONLY about "the Ahmadiyah Muslim minority in Pakistan, Bahais in Iran and Hindus in Bangladesh"?

[darkstar3]

9. Look how your point was made for you.

[trotsky]

10. Yup. n/t

[madrchsod]

7. i just read about the violence between the coptics and the muslims..

there`s no way in hell anyone expect god could do anything to solve the problems in egypt.


this is from the washingtimes BUT it is written by a lady who as far as i can tell has a pretty good explanation of the problem in egypt. she also has her own website that is interesting

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/egypt-pyramids-and-revolution/2011/may/8/egypt-violence-between-islam-coptic-christians/

[rug]

8. It;s been bloody for a while now.