Islam and America: Trump’s Religious Freedom Ambassador Should be ‘Disqualified,’ Says Biggest Muslim Group

Updated | President Donald Trump’s nomination for religious freedom ambassador has demonstrated anti-Islamic sentiments in the past and should be “disqualified” from holding the post, according to the biggest Muslim civil liberties group in the United States.

The White House announced Thursday that Trump had nominated Sam Brownback, the Republican governor of Kansas, as his ambassador at large for international religious freedom. Appointees are expected to promote freedom of religion and conscience as a U.S. foreign policy goal.

The Trump administration has said that religious freedom is a priority of its administration. The president signed an executive order in May that aims to loosen restrictions on churches and faith groups expressing political opinions, while Vice-President Mike Pence spoke at a summit for persecuted Christians, pledging that Washington would advocate for members of all faiths who faced discrimination or violence.

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