(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/17/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the Senate’s historic 85-5 confirmation of Rashad Hussain as Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Hussain is the first American Muslim to hold this position.
Hussain was confirmed by the Senate last night. He was nominated for the ambassador position by President Biden in July. During his confirmation hearing in October, Hussain laid out his vision for enhancing religious freedom around the world and received positive responses from both Democratic and Republican senators. He also fielded numerous questions about how he would use the position of ambassador-at-large to confront China’s ongoing abuses against religious minorities, including the genocide of Uyghur Muslims.
SEE: Senate Confirms Rashad Hussain as Religious Freedom Ambassador
In a statement, CAIR Deputy Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, Esq. said:
“This is a historic day for the American Muslim community and our nation. Rashad Hussain’s record as an accomplished attorney and diplomat with a long history of standing up for religious freedom here and abroad makes him the ideal choice for the position of Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom.
“We commend President Biden for making this historic nomination, and we welcome Ambassador Hussain’s confirmation. We are confident that he will defend the religious freedom of all communities threatened by bigotry around the world, including Uyghur Muslims facing an unprecedented genocide by the Chinese Communist Party.”
In July, CAIR applauded President Biden’s appointment of Hussain as nominee for Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and Khizr Khan as appointee for Commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
SEE: CAIR Applauds Appointment of Rashad Hussain, Khizr Khan to Religious Freedom Posts
In October, CAIR urged the Senate to swiftly approve Hussain’s nomination in the wake of his “informative and impressive” confirmation hearing.
SEE: CAIR Urges Swift Approval of Rashad Hussain’s Ambassador Nomination After “Informative and Impressive” Senate Confirmation Hearing
Mitchell noted that in 2010, CAIR welcomed President Obama’s appointment of Rashad Hussain as special envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Appointment of U.S. Envoy to World Muslim Body
CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com