[ad_1]
WASHINGTON (RNS) – US Ambbadador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback opened a summit at the State Department this week urging leaders of the United States to various religions to work together to help the
WASHINGTON (RNS) – The US Ambbadador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback opened a summit at the State Department Survivors of religious persecution, left, standing and were recognized by Sam Brownback, on the right podium, ambbada United States for International Religious Freedom, at the beginning of the Ministerial Conference for the Promotion of Religious Freedom in the State Department on July 24, 2018. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks this week in exhortation leaders of various religions to work together to help the persecuted around the world.
"We need your faith in It's an action to get things moving not only by tolerating differences – even if it's important – but unfortunately, this Bar is too low, "said Brownback, a former Kansas Republican governor and US Senator, Tuesday, July 24." We have to move to a place where people really care and love, no matter how different. You must help us get there. "
Sam Brownback, United States Ambbadador for International Religious Freedom, delivers an opening address at the Ministerial Conference on Religious Freedom in the State Department July 24, 2018. RNS photo by Adelle M Banks It lists the religions represented in the hall of some 350 representatives from 80 countries, including Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, the Bahá'ís, the Yazidis and others
Because we wanted to include everyone of all faiths or not at all, all those who care about religious freedom and who will join us for this cause, "said the ambbadador appointed by President Trump in July 2017 and confirmed in January 2018." Reli girly freedom is really, really for everyone. It is a right given by God and it is a beautiful part of our human dignity. "
The website for the very first event, called the Ministry to Advance Religious Freedom, said it aims to bring together ministers and foreign religious leaders to" identify concrete ways to combat religious persecution and discrimination, and to ensure greater respect for religious freedom for all.
Last week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters that he hoped the three-day meeting on religious freedom. We believe that it is an invaluable part of American diplomacy and the ability to shape America's vision in the world.
In his opening remarks, Brownback listed examples of religious persecution of religious minorities, ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, Yazidi and Christian victimization by the so-called Islamic State in Iraq. also noted that US pastor Andrew Brunson "remains unjustly imprisoned on false accusations" in Turkey
Brownback introduced the first two survivors of the persecution to talk about their personal experience.
Jamie Powell, wife of Reverend John Cao, explained the arrest of her husband by the Chinese Border Police at the Confederation Ministerial Conference for Religious Freedom in the State Department on July 24, 2018. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks Jamie Powell, wife of Pastor John Cao, said that he had been Arrested by Chinese border police after doing "church work" to help the poor of neighboring Myanmar and he was sentenced to seven years in prison.
"He lost 50 pounds, he could not" Communicate with me and my children, "said Powell, who lives in the United States" My son and I traveled there, 10,000 miles, and we did not have the right to see it. "
Tahir Hamut, a Uyghur Muslim from China, addresses the Ministerial Conference for Religious Freedom in the State Department on July 24, 2018. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks Tahir Hamut, a Uyghur Muslim from China living in the United States, tells how the Uyghur population "now lives in horror" at "re-education camps" similar to the camps
"There are unprecedented restrictions on the religious life of the Uighurs," he said through a translator. "The government confiscated and burned religious books and demolished mosques."
Other guests range from Americans representing Southern Baptist organizations, Scientologists, Hindus and Hare Krishna to a delegation of Christian leaders , Muslims and Sikhs of the United Arab Emirates. Presenters include Vice President Mike Pence; Mark Green, Administrator of the US Agency for International Development; and Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management and Budget
The discussions included expert advice on the process of granting US grants that can help religious and non-governmental organizations obtain a financial support for their work on religious freedom. stated that the meeting aims to demonstrate how the Trump administration gives priority to religious freedom. But others wonder if it's all about the opportunity to appeal to the base of Trump's white evangelical supporters, who have long called religious freedom a priority and who have overwhelmingly voted for the President in 2016.
Before the meeting, National Religious Broadcasters "I am particularly grateful that you have chosen America's first freedom – religious freedom – to be at the center of your first official ministerial meeting", wrote NRB President Jerry Johnson in a statement. Monday letter to Pompeo. "Religious freedom is a source of strength and stability for societies, and the emphasis placed by President Donald Trump and his administration on this fundamental principle sends a powerful message within our nation and to governments at home. 39; abroad. " (1965, p, s, id)
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName (s) [0];
if (d.getElementById (id)) {return;}
js = d.createElement (s); js.id = id;
js.src = "http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=177111755694317&xfbml=1";
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore (js, fjs);
} (document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));
[ad_2]
Source link
