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The
Foundation for Freedom of Expression is a U.S.-based private, nonpartisan, non-profit
charity dedicated to supporting Muslim dissidents around the world and to promoting
the free exchange of ideas. The Foundation believes that open discourse,
dialogue and freedom of expression are essential for the survival and vitality
of liberal democracies.
The
Foundation will support Muslim dissidents who have been victims of violence,
abuse or neglect, or who have been threatened with violence, because of their
political or religious beliefs. It will
do so by promoting and distributing their work, as well as by providing
personal support when needed and wherever possible.
To
support the work of dissidents, the Foundation will publish their articles and
organize conferences around the world where ideas can be debated and a variety
of viewpoints can be voiced. The Foundation hopes to promote the study within
the Muslim world of: the plight of women and gays, intolerance of non-Muslims,
death threats against ex-Muslims, and killings committed in the name of Allah. It
will also translate the works of threatened dissidents into an array of
languages, and provide these translations for free on its website.
The
Foundation hopes to be able to provide legal and financial support to
threatened dissidents. In cases in which the personal safety and well-being of
a critic of Islam is threatened, this may specifically translate into taking
measures to protect this person’s security.
The
Foundation will moreover act to promote the free exchange of ideas by, for
example, translating classical Western texts into several non-Western
languages, and distributing these texts free of charge around the world. Among
the channels it will use will be its website, www.ayaanhirsiali.org.
The
Foundation for Freedom of Expression was founded in 2007, in the wake of the
Dutch government’s decision to stop funding the security of Holland’s most renowned Muslim dissident,
former member of Parliament, Ms. Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Since this decision, Ms.
Hirsi Ali has been forced to raise her own funds to provide for her security.
The Foundation aims to encourage dissidents like Ms. Hirsi Ali to speak out, and
recognizes that in the light of current dangers, an organization must be
committed to protecting the safety and security of such people.
The
Foundation’s Board of Directors governs its management and finances. The Board
selects the Foundation’s president; establishes its policies, procedures, and
operating strategies; and allocates its annual budget.
The Foundation was granted 501 c (3) status by the IRS effective
October 19th, 2007. Thus, all
donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible.
The EIN number is 33-1185369.
Contributions to the Foundation can be earmarked for special projects,
such as financing Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s security and close protection arrangements.
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