U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom accused of discriminating against Muslim staffers, targeting Muslim countries

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy group today called on Congress to probe allegations of anti-Muslim bias at the taxpayer-funded agency that advises the president and other government officials on issues related to religious freedom worldwide.

Current and former staff and commissioners of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom say the agency discriminates against Muslim staffers, targets Muslim countries for extra scrutiny, focuses disproportionately on the persecution of Christians, and downplays violations of religious rights in places like Israel and Europe.

A Muslim policy analyst contracted by the commission recently filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleging that her contract was canceled because of her faith and her past affiliation with an American Muslim organization.

SEE: Agency that Monitors Religious Freedom Abroad Accused of Bias (Wash. Post)

http://tinyurl.com/commissionbias

The commission was created by Congress in 1998 as part of the International Religious Freedom Act. It has a $4.3 million budget. Next year, Congress must decide whether to extend the commission's life beyond its 2011 sunset date.

"The disturbing allegations of anti-Muslim bias at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom must be investigated by Congress prior to instituting any necessary reforms," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "Taxpayer dollars should not be used to promote the religious agendas or pet projects of those with an ideological ax to grind."

Awad noted that the commission devoted extensive resources to examining the textbooks used at an Islamic school in Virginia, despite the fact that the agency was created to monitor religious freedom overseas.

In 2001, a group of American Muslim, Christian and secular organizations criticized the commission's lack of balance in its reporting on violations of religious freedom.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

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