Former Muslims Call on DOJ, US Commission On Civil Rights to Investigate Hate Crimes and Discrimination Against Apostates from Islam

Granada Hills , CA 91344 www.formermuslimsunited.org For more information, contact Former Muslims United director Nonie Darwish (818) 314-3972 or info@formermuslimsunited.org

MEDIA ADVISORY: Former Muslims Call on DOJ, US Commission On Civil Rights to Investigate Hate Crimes and Discrimination Against Apostates from Islam WASHINGTON, DC (September 21, 2009) - Prominent former Muslims-- apostates from Islam-- will hold a press conference Thursday, September 24 to announce the launch of a new civil liberties organization, Former Muslims United, and the start of a national campaign to educate the American public and policymakers about the threat from authoritative Shariah-- Islamic law-- to the religious freedom and safety of former Muslims. At the press conference, Former Muslims United founders Nonie Darwish and Ibn Warraq (both internationally-respected authors and scholars) will release letters calling on the Department of Justice and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to investigate possible hate crimes and civil rights violations against apostates from Islam, including the circumstances of the current Florida case of 17-year old Rifqa Bary, a former Muslim. The letters are also signed by Former Muslims United co-founders Mohammad Asghar, Wafa Sultan and Amil Imani. Darwish and Warraq will release the text of Former Muslim United’s groundbreaking “Muslim Pledge for Religious Freedom and Safety from Harm for Former Muslims,” copies of which will be received in the offices of dozens of Muslim leaders across America by September 25, the 220th anniversary of Congress passing the Bill of Rights. They will also distribute a list of the names of this first group of Muslim leaders to be asked to sign the Muslim Pledge. Additional Muslim leaders will be sent the pledge in the next month as the national campaign gets underway. The names of all pledge recipients will be listed at Formermuslimsunited.org Security at the press conference will be tightly maintained, and photo identification will be required of all attendees.

EVENT: Launch of Former Muslims United PLACE: Longworth House Office Building , Hearing Room 1334 DATE: Thursday, September 24, 2009 TIME: 2:00 p.m. All Former Muslims United founders are available for interviews. For more information, contact Former Muslims United director Nonie Darwish at 818-314-3972 or email info@formermuslimsunited.org