Wall Street Journal highlights growing success, influence of Islamic Free Market Institute
White House, Karl Rove denounces anti-Muslim bigotry.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Samah Alrayyes
11 June 2003 (202) 955-7174 ext. 303

WASHINGTON – In a front page story today, the Wall Street Journal highlights the growing success of the Islamic Free Market Institute (IFMI). Founded by Khaled Saffuri in 1997, the Institute serves to promote a better understanding of Islam in America and to make it clear that Islam and the Koran are perfectly compatible with a free, open and democratic society.

The Journal outlines how Mr. Saffuri organized a meeting early in the 2000 presidential campaign between the Bush campaign and Muslim leaders. Saffuri’s work with then Gov. George W. Bush led to the President’s outreach to the American Muslim community, making it a priority of his campaign and his presidency.

“Today’s Wall Street Journal article plainly demonstrates that the attacks on the Muslim Community in the United States are unfounded, and that the White House rejects those whose positions are based on racism and bigotry,” commented Khaled Saffuri, chairman and founder of IFMI.

The Journal also reports how President Bush responded to concerns of the American Muslim community that “secret evidence” was being abused by the Justice Department. George W. Bush committed to ending those abuses and reforming the evidence process.

“Here in the United States, our Muslim citizens are making many contributions in business, science and law, medicine and education, and in other fields,” said the President on 5 December 2002. “Muslim members of our Armed Forces and my administration are serving their fellow Americans with distinction, upholding our nation’s ideals of liberty and justice and a world of peace.”

Candidate and now president Bush speaks inclusively and always refers to those who attend churches, synagogues and mosques when speaking of people of faith. The 2000 Republican National Convention that nominated president Bush was the first American convention to be opened with a Muslim prayer. That prayer was led by then-Chairman of the IFMI, Talat Othman.

Three major criticisms that have been circulated against IFMI and Muslim participation in American politics were discussed in the article. It was also pointed out that these criticisms were all without merit. The White House vigorously condemns attacks based on bigotry, and presidential advisor Karl Rove said of the attacks that, “There is no there there.”

“America rejects bigotry. We reject every act of hatred against people of Arab background or Muslim faith…Every immigrant can be fully and equally American because we’re one country. Race and color should not divide us, because America is one country,” President Bush said on 30 April 2002,

The article closed with the story of how the IFMI worked with the White House to correct misunderstandings about whether the attacks on the Taliban in Afghanistan would violate Islamic tradition if they commenced during Ramadan. (Recall Bill Clinton used this excuse to explain his “timing’ of the missile attacks that conveniently took place during his impeachment in December of 1998.) The White House, Defense Department and the State Department used materials prepared by the Institute and provided by Khaled Saffuri.

Amongst its many ongoing endeavors, the IFMI organizes an annual conference in the Persian Gulf nation of Qatar, promoting democracy and economic freedom in the Muslim World. Qatar is a strong ally of the United States and the host of U.S. Central Command during the Iraq War.

IFMI works with many faith-based organizations to promote interfaith dialogues and understanding. Most recently, the Institute applauded the National Association of Evangelicals for their participation in the annual conference in Qatar and their efforts to urge tolerance and respect for Muslims and Islam.

For more information, please contact Samah Alrayyes at 202-955-7174.