ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom
State Department officials report religious freedom woes, wins across the globe
By Adelle M. Banks — June 3, 2022
(RNS) — The secretary of state and religious freedom ambassador also expressed concern about an increase in antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred in many countries, including the United States.
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff touts ‘critical’ interfaith collaboration
By Adelle M. Banks — April 29, 2022
(RNS) — Emhoff spoke about how his interfaith marriage reflected the observance of major Jewish and Christian holidays in quick succession.
Why we’re not watching the Winter Olympics
By David Curry and Sam Brownback — February 9, 2022
(Open Doors) — For those who know where to look, there are telltale signs of a propaganda parade everywhere.
Rashad Hussain confirmed as first Muslim US religious freedom ambassador
By Adelle M. Banks — December 17, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Ambassador Hussain is well placed to advance the US government’s promotion of international religious freedom,’ said the chair of a religious freedom watchdog.
The Senate needs to confirm Biden’s new international religious freedom ambassador now
By Knox Thames — November 18, 2021
(RNS) — The absence of a religious freedom ambassador left no strong advocate for this basic human right during recent debates at State.
Rashad Hussain faces Senate committee on historic nomination
By Joseph Hammond — October 26, 2021
(RNS) — The former Obama administration official’s confirmation would make him the first Muslim to hold the position.
Confirming Rashad Hussain would show that religious freedom is a cause that unites us
By Robert P. George and David Saperstein — October 26, 2021
(RNS) — No ambassador has brought a broader knowledge of policy to the post.
White House announces new religious affairs leaders, first Muslim religious freedom ambassador
By Jack Jenkins, Kathryn Post, and Joseph Hammond — July 30, 2021
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Biden will nominate Rashad Hussain, who served in other roles under the Obama administration, as his U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.
State Department adds Nigeria to list of most serious religious freedom violators
By Adelle M. Banks — December 9, 2020
(RNS) — The State Department redesignated nine other nations as ‘countries of particular concern’: Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Pompeo investigation could undo religious freedom movement’s ‘success’
By Peter Henne — May 20, 2020
(RNS) — The religious freedom movement has mortgaged its bipartisan reputation to maintain access to the Secretary of State. A blow to his credibility could hurt persecuted people of faith around the world.
It’s time for Democrats to start talking about international religious freedom
By Peter Henne — November 21, 2019
(RNS) — As the Democratic presidential candidates try to stand out from the pack, they are ignoring one issue that could draw religious voters.
In Cameroon, religious freedom can’t be separated from politics
By R. Drew Smith — August 2, 2019
(RNS) — Religion has been more closely tied to politics and politics more closely tied to religion than most care to admit. And yet, advocates for international religious freedom often treat religious freedom and political freedom as totally separate and distinct domains.
Brownback wants ‘like-mindeds’ at religious freedom summit; violators need not RSVP
By Adelle M. Banks — July 15, 2019
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom will focus on countries that have at least begun to work on improving the rights of religious minorities within their borders, the U.S. religious freedom ambassador told Religion News Service in an interview Monday.
‘Push it hard’: Brownback addresses religious freedom on law’s 20th anniversary
By Adelle M. Banks — November 9, 2018
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Sam Brownback, a former U.S. senator who was confirmed in January as the fifth U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, was a key sponsor of the International Religious Freedom Act.
State Department religious freedom summit ends with commitments, critiques
By Adelle M. Banks — July 27, 2018
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Administration supporters who are also religious freedom advocates spoke in glowing terms about the significance of the gathering. But outside observers are less impressed.
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