US President Joe Biden has nominated Indian-American attorney Rashad Hussain as the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, the first Muslim to be nominated to the key position, according to the White House. Hussain, 41, is currently Director for Partnerships and Global Engagement at the National Security Council. “Today’s announcement underscores the President’s commitment to build an Administration that looks like America and reflects people of all faiths.
Hussain is the first Muslim to be nominated to serve as the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom,” the White House said in a statement on Friday. He previously served as Senior Counsel at the Department of Justice’s National Security Division. During the Obama administration, he served as US Special Envoy to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), US Special Envoy for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications and Deputy Associate White House Counsel. In his roles as envoy, Hussain worked with multilateral organisations such as the OIC and the UN, foreign governments and civil society organisations to expand partnerships in education, entrepreneurship, health, international security, science and technology and other areas. He also spearheaded efforts on countering antisemitism and protecting religious minorities in Muslim-majority countries.
News Source : TOI
