Yalla magazine - Washington, D.C.- In Defense of Christians (IDC), the nation’s leading advocacy organization for Christians and religious minorities in the Middle East, commends President Donald J. Trump for signing “Advancing International Religious Freedom” on June 2, 2020.
The executive order calls for the Secretary of State and the United States Agency for International Development to organize a plan over the next 180 days to prioritize religious freedom in foreign policy and foreign assistance programs. It also designates at least $50 million annually for programs that advance international religious freedom.
Additionally, American government employees serving abroad will also receive training in religious freedom and embassy staff will be directed to raise the issue in countries where they are serving. The executive order also calls for economic tools, including sanctions, to be used to achieve these objectives.
“This executive order is a positive contribution to advancing religious freedom in U.S. foreign policy,” said IDC President Toufic Baaklini.
“We would like to thank President Trump for supporting international religious freedom and Middle Eastern Christians, in particular” he added.
The executive order calls for the Secretary of State and the United States Agency for International Development to organize a plan over the next 180 days to prioritize religious freedom in foreign policy and foreign assistance programs. It also designates at least $50 million annually for programs that advance international religious freedom.
Additionally, American government employees serving abroad will also receive training in religious freedom and embassy staff will be directed to raise the issue in countries where they are serving. The executive order also calls for economic tools, including sanctions, to be used to achieve these objectives.
“This executive order is a positive contribution to advancing religious freedom in U.S. foreign policy,” said IDC President Toufic Baaklini.
“We would like to thank President Trump for supporting international religious freedom and Middle Eastern Christians, in particular” he added.
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