On Monday, September 22, President Donald Trump announced new initiatives for the universal protection of religious freedom at the United Nations General Assembly.

Trump stated the United States would dedicate “$25 million to protect religious freedom, sites and relics.” The US will also be “forming a coalition of US businesses for the protection of religious freedom.” Ending the injustice of religious persecution is a top priority for Trump.

“Today, with one clear voice, the United States of America calls upon the nations of the world to end religious persecution. Stop the crimes against people of faith. Release prisoners of conscience. Repeal laws restricting freedom of religion and belief. Protect the vulnerable, the defenseless and the oppressed,” Trump said.

He asked “the governments of the world to honor the eternal right of every person to follow their conscience, live by their faith and give glory to God.”

However, not everyone is pleased with President Trump’s proposal. Rabbi Jack Moline, the president of the Interfaith Alliance—a group created “celebrate religious freedoms and to challenge bigotry”—criticized Trump, citing the President’s earlier proposal for a Muslim travel ban to the US.

“President Trump was elected on the promise of a ‘complete and utter shutdown’ of Muslim immigration to the US. Since then, his administration has worked tirelessly to redefine ‘religious freedom’ as a license to discriminate. If the President is serious about promoting true religious freedom worldwide, he should start with his own policies,” Moline said.

Near the end of his speech, Trump called out government leaders for negligence towards religious needs and paid respects to those who have been persecuted.

“Too often, people in positions of power preach diversity while silencing, shunning or censoring the faithful. True tolerance means respecting the right of all people to express their deeply held religious beliefs. Before I conclude, I want to once again thank all of the survivors in the room for their courage and resilience.  You’re an inspiration to the world. You remind us that no force on Earth is stronger than the faith of religious believers. The United States of America will forever remain at your side and the side of all who seek religious freedom,” Trump said.

With Trump being the first US president to ever hold such a meeting, the world will have to wait and see what the impact of the assembly will be.

Sources: https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/23/politics/donald-trump-religious-freedom-unga/index.html

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-united-nations-event-religious-freedom-new-york-ny/