Biden Nominates 2 Muslims for Key Religious Freedom Roles

U.S. President Joe Biden announced, on Friday, his picks for four key religious freedom roles, which included two Muslims.

The list includes Khzir Khan, the Muslim-American father of a slain U.S. soldier who became an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump throughout both of his campaigns, according to AP.

Khan was appointed to be a commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

This position requires investigating religious freedom issues across the globe and making recommendations to the administration on how to address abuses.

In addition, Biden’s nominations include Rashad Hussain, who would be the first Muslim American to serve as the U.S. ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom.

Hussain previously served in the Obama administration as White House counsel, as well as U.S. special envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, among other roles.

Moreover, Deborah Lipstadt is likely to be nominated as the special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, which is a role that has the rank of ambassador. The position is part of the State Department’s Office of Religion and Global Affairs.

Also, Biden is expected to appoint Sharon Kleinbaum, a rabbi at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in New York City and a prominent activist for LGBTQ rights, as a commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.