Laura Bush presents an award to Hussein-Mohamed

AP-Yahoo ^ | 07-10.02 | AP

[Registered]

First lady Laura Bush presents the Annual Democracy Award to Mariam Hussein Mohamed, founder and co-chairperson of Somalia's human rights group, the Dr. Ismail Jumale Human Rights Organization Tuesday, July 9, 2002 in Washington. (AP Photo, Susan Walsh)

[Registered]

Probably had tea with her too ;-)

[newgeezer]

"Human rights" my @$$. Islam is imposed at the point of a sword. Conversion away from Islam is punishable by death.

Regardless, here's the accompanying story:

First Lady Lauds Muslim Award Winners
Tue Jul 9, 8:57 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) - First lady Laura Bush ( news, bio, voting record) called on the world at large to embrace democracy and human rights at a ceremony Tuesday honoring the work of four Muslim women abroad.

Photos AP Photo

"Respect for democracy, human rights, free media and the rule of law — these rights must be guaranteed throughout the Muslim world and all parts of the world," Mrs. Bush said.

The four women "are proving that the forces of terror can't stop the momentum of freedom," she said.

The annual awards, given by the Washington-based nonprofit National Endowment for Democracy, were presented to Nadjet Bouda, Mehrangiz Kar, Mariam Hussein Mohamed and Muborak Tashpoulatova for their work in Algeria, Iran, Somalia and Uzbekistan, respectively.

"We look to their countries ... and we call on them to keep the promise of freedom that people yearn for so desperately," Mrs. Bush said.

Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky — taking part in the ceremony with Sens. Joseph Biden, D-Del., and Bill Frist, R-Tenn. — said this year's awards, highlighting movements in the Muslim world, are reminders that "the need to bring lasting freedom and peace to that region has never been more painfully clear."

Last year's award was given to Mexican President Vicente Fox ( news - web sites).

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On the Net:

National Endowment for Democracy: http://www.ned.org/

[Shermy]

Is that statue modeled after the Tian Mien Square student's statue/float modeled after our Statue of Liberty?