President Trump called on the nations of the world to end persecution based on religious beliefs.
“As we speak, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, Yazidis, and many other people of faith are being jailed, sanctioned, tortured, and even murdered, often at the hands of their own government, simply for expressing their deeply held religious beliefs,” the president said September 23 during a religious freedom event at the United Nations in New York City.
Approximately 80 percent of the world’s population lives in countries where religious liberty is threatened, restricted or even banned, Trump said as he hosted the Global Call to Protect Religious Freedom event at the U.N.
To further the cause of religious freedom, the president announced that the administration is dedicating $25 million to protect religious freedom and religious sites and relics around the world.
President Trump announced a coalition of U.S. businesses to protect religious freedom and encourage the private sector to protect people of all faiths in the workplace. These initiatives build on the State Department’s Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom.
Trump pledged to support freedom of religion across the globe and urged others to do the same.
“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,” he said.
