WASHINGTON, DC – The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), the leading grassroots membership organization representing Muslims in America, has joined the growing coalition supporting the Congressional resolution marking the 15th anniversary of the U.S. implementation of the Genocide Convention, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“We appreciate CAIR’s support for the Genocide Resolution and welcome our friends in the Muslim community to the growing coalition in support of this human rights initiative,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “This resolution represents an important opportunity for people of all faiths to work in partnership to reaffirm the values of the Genocide Convention and to reinforce our national resolve to prevent future crimes against humanity.”

CAIR is a non-profit, advocacy organization with headquarters in Washington, D.C. and chapters across America, that promotes a positive image of Islam and Muslims in America. They are active in media relations, hold conferences and seminars, publish newsletters and handbooks, and generate grassroots activism through a network of supporters. For more information, visit www.cair-net.org.

CAIR joins over ninety religious groups, educational organizations, human and civil rights advocates, and other non-governmental institutions as part of the growing coalition in support of the Genocide Resolution.

Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) introduced the Genocide Resolution in the U.S. House on April 10th. With 110 cosponsors, the legislation (H.Res.193) was unanimously adopted by the Judiciary Committee on May 21st and currently awaits consideration by the full House. Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Jon Corzine (D-NJ) introduced the Senate version of the resolution (S.Res.164), which currently has 34 co-sponsors. Both the Senate and House versions specifically cite the Armenian Genocide as well as the Holocaust and the Cambodian and Rwandan genocides as instances of past genocide.