WASHINGTON - In January, Congressman Jim Davis, a member of the House International Relations Committee, embarked on a journey through the Middle East and returned with a better understanding of how the United States can help fight international terrorism. Davis has put this knowledge to work by introducing a resolution that calls on Saudi Arabia to reform its education system, abolishing curriculum that promotes religious extremism and intolerance.

"While Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah should be applauded for publicly denouncing the September 11^th terrorist attacks and offering a legitimate proposal for peace in the Middle East, he must take steps to ensure his government’s domestic policies live up to the same standard," said Congressman Davis.

In Saudi schools at all grade levels, Islamic religious education is compulsory, accounting for thirty to forty percent of the school day. Over the last two decades, the government has allowed followers of a rigid interpretation of Islam to control religious education. These instructors are using texts and lesson plans that encourage intolerance and anti-Semitic, anti-American and anti-Western views, making some Saudi students prime recruiting targets for the same militant extremist groups that Crown Prince Abdullah has denounced.

The Saudi government is currently reviewing its education curriculum. Davis’ resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 432, expresses support for the effort and calls on the Saudi government to ensure the review is thorough, objective and public. Most importantly, the resolution calls for education reform that promotes tolerance and focuses on developing civil society and preparing young people to function in a 21^st century global economy.

"Fifteen of the nineteen hijackers who carried out the September 11^th attacks were Saudi Arabian nationals, so it is critical that the United States actively supports Saudi efforts to combat extremism and promote moderate Islamic voices in education," said Congressman Davis. "The United States can hunt down every last terrorist cell, but unless we address the conditions breeding the next generation terrorists, then we have ultimately failed. We can no longer afford to remain silent about governments that tolerate the religious extremism that has made the Middle East ripe for the influence of terrorist groups."

Rep. Doug Bereuter (R-NE), a fellow member of the International Relations Committee and second ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, has cosponsored Davis’ resolution and will be working with him to ensure the resolution is scheduled for debate by the committee. Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL), the Chairman of the International Relations Committee, is among the 48 current cosponsors of the resolution.

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