Note: This hearing began directly after the preceding markup.

Chairman Poe on the hearing: “Saudi Arabia is a valued partner in the fight against terrorism: since 9/11 Riyadh and Washington have worked side by side to weaken terrorist groups and counter their financing streams. However, the fight against terrorism will ultimately have to be won ideologically and Saudi Arabia has simply not done enough to defeat extremist thought and ideas. In fact, for far too long its education curriculum has inspired hatred and incited students to violence both at home and across the world, laying the groundwork for future radicalization and extremism. The Saudi government promised the U.S. that a reform of its educational materials would be completed by 2008, but nearly a decade later inflammatory content in Saudi textbooks abounds. This hearing will provide Members the opportunity to learn more about this important issue and explore policy options to encourage our allies in Riyadh to finally live up to their educational reform commitments.”

Opening Statements

Full text of Chairman Ted Poe’s opening statement

Witnesses

Ms. Nina Shea
Director
Center for Religious Freedom
Hudson Institute
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

David A. Weinberg, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

The Honorable Frank Wolf
Distinguished Senior Fellow
21st Century Wilberforce Initiative
(Former U.S. Representative)
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Douglas Johnston, Ph.D.

President Emeritus
International Center for Religion and Diplomacy
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

____________________________

Hearing transcript (PDF)