A Dialogue on Shias, Sunnis, and Politics in Iraq

New York, NY (PRWEB) June 3, 2006

The war in Iraq is the most contentious foreign policy issue facing the United States, and the sectarian strife in that nation is spiraling out of control. On June 3, Independent Viewpoints (IV) will hold its first event, A Dialogue on Shias, Sunnis, and Politics in Iraq, featuring a Shia-Sunni Speakers Panel moderated by Amy Goodman of Democracy Now and a dialogue with one of the foremost intellectuals in the world—Dr. Noam Chomsky.

“This is without a doubt the hotbed political issue facing the American-Muslim community, and the nation as a whole,” says IV Board Chairman Mohammad Ali Naquvi. “Independent Viewpoints aims to create space for political dialogue and coalition-building for the American-Muslim community, which has not involved itself nearly enough in the political arena. We need a voice, and this event on Iraq is the first step.”

The Shia-Sunni Speakers Panel will be comprised of Shia and Sunni (Islam’s two main sects at the epicenter of the conflict in Iraq) activists and intellectuals discussing Iraq’s future, and the American-Muslim community’s role. Dr. Chomsky will keynote the event soon after returning from his trip to the Middle East, which will take place at New York Society for Ethical Culture in New York City.

“The history of racism against ethnic and religious minorities is ugly, often worse,” says Dr. Chomsky. “Over time, there has been progress, but there remains a long way to go. Anti-Arab and anti-Muslim racism have been severe for a long time, and the situation has of course become more tense and conflicted in recent years. Independent Viewpoints can make a vital contribution to addressing these problems by providing a forum to interchange ideas, develop plans, and bring people together with varied backgrounds and concerns but common aspirations for a better society and a better world.”

This event is being co-sponsored by the New York Chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations, The Qunoot Foundation (DC), Education for Peace in Iraq Center (DC), United Muslim Foundation (Florida), Muslim Consultative Network (NY), and Muslim Bar Association of New York.

Independent Viewpoints is committed to creating a public space that fosters political awareness by providing a platform for alternative viewpoints, both within the American Muslim community and between Muslims and other concerned citizens. In doing so, it seeks to provide the spark to mobilize individuals into becoming politically involved, building coalitions, and working in solidarity for positive change.

Independent Viewpoints (IV) is fiscally sponsored by Mohsena Memorial Foundation, Inc. (MMF), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization and NGO member of the United Nations based in Princeton, New Jersey. MMF is dedicated to teaching, learning and disseminating accurate information about Islam and Muslims.

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