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ISNA ATTENDS SADDLEBACK CHURCH CIVIL FORUM ON GLOBAL HEALTH

Dr. Rick Warren honors President Bush for Global Humanitarian Initiatives

(Washington D.C., 12/3/08) On December 1, 2008 ISNA was one of 50 national religious and civic organizations present to present the first International Medal of PEACE award from the Global PEACE Coalition to President George W. Bush at the Newseum in Washington DC.

Dr. Rick Warren of Saddleback Church presented President Bush with the award as recognition of his unprecedented contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS and other diseases around the world.

During the Forum Warren engaged both President Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush in candid conversation regarding past accomplishments and priorities moving forward regarding international health issues – including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. President-elect Barack Obama provided a video-taped message addressing the future of global health.

“No U.S. president or political leader has done more for global health than this Administration, which has raised the bar on America’s role and responsibility for providing critical humanitarian assistance around the world,” said Dr. Rick Warren.

He continued by saying that “Over the past eight years, the President and Mrs. Bush have traveled the globe as they and their staff have worked tirelessly to bring awareness and solutions to pandemics such as HIV/AIDS, and we are privileged to honor their efforts on World AIDS Day.”

The International Medal of PEACE is given on behalf of the Global PEACE Coalition for outstanding contribution toward alleviating the five global giants recognized by the Coalition - including pandemic diseases, extreme poverty, illiteracy, self-centered leadership, and spiritual emptiness.

Dr. Sayyid Syeed, National Director of ISNA’s Office for Interfaith and Community Alliances (IOICA), represented the Muslim community during the event.

In a statement, ISNA said “We at ISNA were honored to be a part of Dr. Rick Warren’s presentation of the International Medal of PEACE award to President George W. Bush. We are hopeful that Americans of all faiths can mobilize together to tackle global health issues affecting impoverished people all over the world and help end human suffering, once and for all.”

CONTACT: Mohammed Elsanousi, ISNA Communications Director, 202-544-6767 or  by e-mail at melsanousi@isna.net.