Dear Senator,
Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective (HinduPACT) respectfully requests that you add the following provisions in the “Combating International Islamophobia Act” (SB.3384).
It is critically important that the language of this bill reflect the inclusion and protection of all religious minorities globally. As a nation founded on the principles of liberty and freedom of religion, it is imperative that the United States maintain its mantle of leadership for the people, both in our great nation and internationally.
This bill is incomplete without the inclusive language we have indicated below:
1. No funds made available pursuant to this Act, or an amendment made by this Act may be used to promote or endorse discrimination against members of the Sexual and Gender Minority (SGMs) groups from any religion or denomination, including but not limited to Islamic communities.
2. No funds made available pursuant to this Act, or an amendment made by this Act may be used to boycott, promote or endorse discrimination or hatred against members of Yezidi, Coptic Christian, Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, Evangelical, Jewish, Bahai, Druze, Alawite, Sabian-Mandean, Zoroastrian, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh individuals, businesses or institutions operated by these communities.
3. No funds made available pursuant to this Act, or an amendment made by this Act may be used to promote or endorse Hinduphobia or prejudice against any individual and / or religious or cultural organization associated with the Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh religions, operating in the countries where they are legally registered.
4. No funds made available pursuant to this Act, or an amendment made by this Act may be used to promote or endorse discrimination against ethnic and epistemological sects within Islamic communities that face discrimination such as Ahmadiyyas, Hazaras, Alevis.
5. No funds made available pursuant to this Act, or an amendment made by this Act may be used to promote or endorse female genital mutilation.
6. No funds made available pursuant to this Act, or an amendment made by this Act may be used to promote or endorse marriage, specifically marriage of girls under the age of 18.
We believe that the amendments suggested above will strengthen the bill and ensure that all religious communities globally and not just one, will benefit from leadership of the United States. We are available to elaborate on the aforementioned amendment proposals. We thank you for your consideration of this important matter.
Sincerely,
