An Islamic civil rights group is urging all “people of conscience” to support a Democrat-sponsored resolution recognizing that the Koran, like the holy book of any other religion, “should be treated with dignity and respect.”

The resolution, to be introduced by Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), also “condemns bigotry and intolerance against any religious group, including our friends, neighbors and citizens of the Islamic faith.”

The Council on American-Islamic Relations called the introduction of the resolution a winning move.

“This resolution expresses America’s respect for the holy texts of all faiths. If passed, it will also reiterate our nation’s condemnation of bigoted behavior and religious intolerance,” said Corey Saylor, CAIR’s government affairs director.

Congressional resolutions express the opinion of lawmakers and do not have the force of law.

CAIR this week launched an “Explore the Koran” campaign in response to the uproar generated by a May 9 Newsweek report—now retracted—that said U.S. military investigators had flushed a Koran down a toilet in an effort to “rattle” Muslim detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The report infuriated Muslims around the world, and it contributed to rioting in Afghanistan that killed at least 15 people.

“In today’s climate of heightened religious sensitivities and cultural clashes, now is the time for people of all faiths to better acquaint themselves with Islam’s sacred text,” said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad in a press release announcing the Koran giveaway.

He said the campaign will allow the Koran to “speak for itself and educate those of other faith traditions about the beautiful religion of Islam.”

Rep. Conyers, who appeared at Tuesday press conference when CAIR announced the Koran giveaway, applauded the effort.

“We have made the job of our enemies all too easy by sanctioning torture and by whitewashing prisoner abuse investigations,” Conyers said in a press release issued by CAIR. “We also need to embrace the Muslim people and tolerance if we are truly interested in supporting democracy around the world.”

Even though Newsweek has retracted its May 9 Koran-flushing article, CAIR’s Saylor noted that former detainees at Guantanamo Bay and in Afghanistan “have made similar allegations in other media reports.”

CAIR is urging its supporters to contact their congressional representatives: “Tell them the allegations of Koran desecration, now withdrawn by Newsweek, hurt America’s image overseas. Strong support for this resolution will demonstrate America’s intolerance of bigotry and disrespect toward any religious group,” the press release said.