OUR MISSION – AND WHAT YOU CAN DO!

Welcome to Interfaith Strength, devoted to strengthening the bonds of understanding among people of different faiths. This international effort has grown out of the collegial and now fraternal relationship between Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury of Bangladesh and Richard L. Benkin from the United States. Since 2003, we have been fighting the tightly controlled and biased news and information about Israel and the Jewish people that most Muslims receive. Two men, one Muslim one Jewish, once strangers, now brothers!

Our immediate focus is Bangladesh, but the problem goes beyond its borders just as the disease at its root affects more than Jews and Muslims. We will continue the struggle to bring the TRUTH to wherever a people's leaders and institutions try to keep it out. Please join our struggle by contacting us regarding any of the following:

+++Helping to break the wall of ignorance in a country you know
+++Helping anyone trying to do the same
+++Writing an article for one of these places, including Bangladesh
+++Putting us in touch with others
+++Contributing an article or link to this site

Our efforts have brought us in touch with Christians, Hindus, and others, in addition to Jews and Muslims. Please join our efforts at interfaith understanding and real dialogue—dialogue that comes only from respectful and honest discussion.

Bio of Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury

Bio of Dr. Richard Benkin

See this!

Read Richard Benkin's groundbreaking 2003 article "Dear Bangladesh"

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The Latest From Bangladesh

By Dr. Richard L. Benkin

The hope with which Shoaib and I greeted the new government in Dhaka is fading. Through diplomatic and other channels, government officials have telling US and other diplomats and officials that they would be dropping the admittedly false charges against us. (I say “us,” by the way because Shoaib is my brother and what happens to me happens to him; because fighting this injustice has taken over my life; and because I believe it is my responsibility to keep fighting for him until we achieve justice.) They have been giving these assurances almost since their ascension to power. Lawmakers, diplomats, Americans, and others all have been waiting expectantly and optimistically for the action to take place. But on June 28, the government disappointed all of us by not taking the promised action. Not only did the court continue the case to July 18th that day, but the Public Prosecutor made it clear that he intends to pursue this prosecution vigorously.

That leaves Shoaib and his supporters with the following hopes: that the case will be withdrawn at the next court date; or that the Appellate Division will rule the case null and void. The first seems a folly given the government’s action and apparent contempt for telling the truth. The latter remains a hope, especially after noted International Human Rights Attorney Irwin Cotler filed an incisive amicus curaie brief identifying the case’s extensive violation of Bangladeshi law and international agreements signed by Bangladesh. Failure on the government’s part to act could have devastating consequences for that nation. First, the current Bangladeshi government is already losing credibility in Washington, as its penchant for empty assurances seems to mirror that of its discredited predecessor. International diplomacy, including aid and assistance, is rather difficult if the donating party cannot trust the recipient. Second, the government has again and again admitted that the charges have no basis and were maintained only to appease the radical Islamists who engineered them. One of the new, military government’s major claims is that it is anti-radical and free of the radical Islamist influence that marked its predecessor. Since Islamist appeasement is the reason for the case, maintaining it belies the government’s claims. So, does the Bangladeshi government wish to stand with the United States and other democratic forces in the world, or with terrorist-sponsoring states like Iran and Syria? Third, Bangladeshi attempts to secure a Free Trade Agreement with the United States are dead largely because of this. Even a consolation prize introduced in the Senate—that would at least provide some tariff relief—seems irredeemably stalled. For information on what you can do to continue our successful fight to stop this back-door attempt to undermine our human rights efforts, click here. Bangladeshi garment exporters need that relief if they are to continue competing with other countries—which now have such trade benefits—in the tremendous US market.

Fourth, since word of the government’s commitment to continued mendacity spread, momentum has been growing for a boycott of Bangladeshi goods. Calls for one have been coming in from all over the world, not only from the United States. Now, while I tend to shy away from boycotts of any sort, the momentum is real. And I can understand and empathize with those who call for one. Outrage over the case has grown so that it cannot be contained. People wonder why everyone except the government of Bangladesh recognizes this as a human rights issue, as one of freedom of speech and the press. Since September 11, 2001, in particular, people are loath to support, even indirectly, those who seem to side with international terror. Continued prosecution of an admittedly false case to appease those terrorists seems to underscore the importance of not supporting such a society.

Imagine what even a small boycott will mean for the people of Bangladesh! How many dollars will be lost? How many jobs will be lost, as well? Bangladeshis should know that even if they do the right thing on this case after more delays, they could suffer permanent damage. The appetite for product will not drop, and we know that Bangladesh’s competitors will be quick to seize the now open market. Exporters from economic giants like India and China will be there. Textile exporters from Latin America—who already have a Free Trade Agreement with the US—will be there, too.

So, the question is posed to the government in Dhaka: For what are you risking all of that, and for a case that violates your own law and your people’s own values?

You still can take effective action by contacting Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed, letting him know how serious this issue is and how dropping the false charges will help restore Bangladesh’s good name. Dr Fakhruddin’s fax numbers are. Fakhruddin Ahmed, Chief Advisor, People's Republic of Bangladesh; Fax: 880-2-8113243 & 880-2-8111490. A fax is preferable, especially since emailing the government is always an adventure. If you cannot use a fax, and I will fax it to them. MAKE SURE TO EXPRESS YOUR OUTRAGE AT THE LATEST COURTROOM DEBACLE AND DEMAND SALAH UDDIN SHOAIB CHOUDHURY’S FREEDOM LEST THE WORLD BELIEVE THAT BANGLADESH REMAINS IN THE GRIP OF RADICALS—THE ONLY ONES WHO STAND TO GAIN FROM THIS INJUSTICE. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT.