FUND HONEST INDEPENDENT MUSLIM JOURNALISM

Hafiz of Quran becomes first Muslim US religious freedom ambassador

A Muslim who has memorised the Quran will serve as the US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.  

Rashad Hussain won Senate approval in an 85-5 vote last week, making him the first Muslim American in the role.  

The 42-year-old, who speaks Spanish, Arabic and Urdu, is a hafiz of the Quran.

“This is a very historic moment for the American Muslim community,” said Shaykh Dr Yasir Qadhi on Twitter.

“Rashad Hussain is a highly qualified Dallas native and hafidh al-Quran; he is known to all of us as a person constantly involved in good causes and concerned with community issues. I wish him the best!”

Hussain served as US Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and was Special Envoy for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications.  

‘Historic moment’  

CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil rights organisation, said it was a ‘historic moment, alhamdulillah.’  

“We commend @POTUS for this historic nomination. May God help Rashad advance religious freedom around the world,” the group said in a tweet.  

The Muslim Public Affairs Council MPAC) congratulated Hussain for his confirmation.  

“Rashad has served our community and country at the highest level of integrity and intelligence,” said MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati.  “We look forward to working with him in advancing religious freedom under his leadership.”  

The lawyer was one of five nominees for the role.  

“(A)s a Muslim American, I have seen the impact of bigotry and guilt by association tactics used against minority communities, including the message it sends and dangers it poses to young people,” Hussain said during his confirmation hearing in October.

FUND HONEST INDEPENDENT MUSLIM JOURNALISM

Donate today and help us tell the stories that matter. Together we can make a difference

Donate today and help us tell the stories that matter.
Together we can make a difference

The mainstream media has been justifying genocide in Gaza. Islamophobia and censorship are the norm. We're changing that. Our journalism has reached over 300M impressions on social media since October 7th. On TV, our rolling news coverage has featured key figures like Husam Zomlot, Avi Shlaim, Gideon Levy and Jeremy Corbyn.

We need your support to reveal the truth and ensure our voices are heard. Donate today.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

TOP STORIES

RELATED STORIES

CONTACT INFORMATION

Islam Channel Ltd
Media House
428-432 Ley Street
London
IG2 7BS
+(44) 207 374 4511