Los Angeles , CA : The Muslim Public Affairs Council welcomed President Barack Obama’s, along with a host of world leaders, demand for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, to step down. The President’s call is a step in a positive direction for the Syrian people whose calls for freedom, democracy and human rights have been met with horrific violence, intimidation and death.
SEE: “Obama Calls on Assad to Resign”
“His calls for dialogue and reform have rung hollow while he is imprisoning, torturing and slaughtering his own people,” said Obama early Aug 18 morning. “We have consistently said that President Assad must lead a democratic transition or get out of the way. He has not led. For the sake of the Syrian people, the time has come for President Assad to step aside.”
MPAC stands in solidarity with the Syrian people and their quest to determine the future of their nation, says a message. Assad’s presidential legitimacy was lost when he began his appalling campaign of violence against nonviolent citizens. Similarly, Syrian officials have led a campaign of intimidation throughout the United States targeting vocal Syrian Americans who are against the regime. Ambassador of Syria to the United States, Imad Moustapha, has continued this type of harassment against anyone who speaks against the Syrian regime.
Thankfully, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has restricted Moustapha’s movements to a 25-mile radius around Washington, DC, after reports came to light of his intimidation tactics against Syrian activists. Furthermore, the FBI is investigating these allegations.
MPAC has continuously called for Assad to step down; we hope this is the beginning of a positive change for the Syrian people to be active in the self-determination of their country without the imposition of a dictator acting without the interest of the people. This is the chance for yet another successful fall of a dictator and for the positive spring forward to democracy, justice and freedom.
Founded in 1988, MPAC is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim Americans.
