Muslim Americans Welcome Presidential Executive Orders Restoring The Rule Of Law And Human Dignity

January 22, 2009

Muslim Americans Welcome Presidential Executive Orders Restoring the Rule of Law and Human Dignity

The Islamic Society of North America congratulates President Barack Obama for acting swiftly to restore the rule of law and human dignity with the four executive orders he signed today. In ordering the closure of the Guantanamo detention facility and the implementation of a just process for the detention and prosecution of those held there, the President reaffirms the American commitment to due process. The order that all interrogations must conform to the US Army Field Manual restores the dignity of the person by prohibiting torture and harsh and degrading treatment.

In signing the orders, the President reiterated his belief, stated in his inaugural address, that America cannot continue with a "false choice" between our safety and our ideals. Muslim Americans agree that our strength as a nation is rooted in our commitment to our constitutional principles and the rights and dignity of all people. We agree that America's moral standing in the world will improve with the implementation of the executive orders.

The Islamic Society of North America, a founding member of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (www.nrcat.org), has been a strong advocate for the prohibition of torture. ISNA's President, Dr. Ingrid Mattson, is also a member of the Leadership Group of the US-Muslim Engagement Project (www.usmuslimengagement.org) whose recommendations for improving relations with global Muslim communities are in consonance with the steps President Obama has taken in his first days in office. ISNA is committed to furthering understanding and good relations between our country and Muslims in other parts of the world.

Contact:Mohamed El-sanousi, melsanousi@isna.net
http://www.isna.net/articles/News/MUSLIM-AMERICANS-WELCOME-PRESIDENTIAL-EXECUTIVE-ORDERS-RESTORING-THE-RULE-OF-LAW-AND-HUMAN.aspx

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Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander. ~ Holocaust Museum, Washington, DC

If your heart were sincere and upright, every creature would be unto you a looking-glass of life and a book of holy doctrine. ~ Thomas Kempis

Forgiveness will not be possible until compassion is born

in your heart. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh