President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week that earmarks $50 million for religious freedom programs around the world.
CBN News reports that under the order, named Advancing International Religious Freedom, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will create action plans for countries to help eliminate religious persecution. The money will go to the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
“Religious freedom, America’s first freedom, is a moral and national security imperative,” the order states. “Religious freedom for all people worldwide is a foreign policy priority of the United States, and the United States will respect and vigorously promote this freedom.”
The order comes as religious persecution, including against Christians worldwide, continues to rise. According to Open Doors USA’s 2020 World Watch List, North Korea, Afghanistan and Somalia are the most dangerous countries for Christians.
USAID Acting Administrator John Barsa praised the executive order, saying the organization was “grateful for the President’s leadership in advancing religious freedom around the world.”
“Americans have always believed our first freedom is the freedom of religion, and it is a key component of our national security strategy,” Barsa wrote. “Whether in response to genocide committed against Christians and Yazidis in Northern Iraq, or the ethnic…
… Read More
Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.