(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/1/22) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed “concern” over a grant program by the U.S. Department of State in which taxpayer funds would be used to promote atheism in Muslim-majority regions of Asia and the Middle East.
According to a Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) “Notice of Funding Opportunity,” the funds would be used to create and strengthen “networks of advocates for the diverse communities of atheist, humanist, non-practicing and non-affiliated individuals of all religious communities in target countries.”
The funding proposal also states: “Activities should take place in 2-3 countries selected within one of the following regions: South/Central Asia- countries within the SCA region as defined by the State Department; or the Middle East/North Africa…”
Funding Opportunity Announcement: Promoting and Defending Religious Freedom Inclusive of Atheist, Humanist, Non-Practicing and Non-Affiliated Individuals
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, Esq. said:
“Just as it would be inappropriate for the State Department to directly fund the spread of religion in secular societies, it is inappropriate for the Department to directly fund the spread of atheism in religious societies. Our nation should fund efforts to promote freedom and justice for all people around the world, not specifically anti-theist movements.
“We are also concerned that a U.S. funding program meant to single out atheistic activists and organizations in Muslim-majority regions for support will contribute to the suspicion held by some people overseas that our government seeks to secularize the Muslim world by supporting foreign organizations and governments hostile to Islam.
“Everyone must be free to believe or not believe what they wish around the world, but our nation should not pour money into foreign countries in an effort to specifically favor non-religion over religion, or vice versa.”
Mitchell cited the Quran, Islam’s revealed text, which states: “Let there be no compulsion in religion, for the truth stands out clearly from falsehood.” (2:256)
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, 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.
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
Subscribe to CAIR’s Email List
https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters
Subscribe to CAIR’s Twitter Feed
http://twitter.com/cairnational
Subscribe to CAIR’s YouTube Channel
Follow CAIR on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cair_national/
Donate to CAIR
https://action.cair.com/a/donate
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
If you would like to join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: info@cair.com, CC ihooper@cair.com
END
CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com