Alhaji Osman attends ministerial meeting on advancing religious freedom in Washington

Alhaji Khuzaima Osman, the Personal Assistant to the National Chief Imam, has been nominated by the US Department of State Office of the International Religious Freedom to participate in the High level Ministerial Meeting on Religious Freedom and Human Rights scheduled to take place from tomorrow July 16 to 18 in Washington.

The ministerial meeting will reaffirm international commitments to promote religious freedom for all and focus on concrete outcomes that produce durable, positive change, a statement issued by the US Department of State, copied the Ghanaian Times said.

Alhaji Khuzaima told the Ghanaian Times that he was privileged to be nominated to represent the Chief Imam and the Muslim community in general on Second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, adding that it was an inspiration for the youth.

The US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, is expected to host a broad
range of stakeholders, including senior government representatives, international organisation representatives, religious leaders, and civil society activists to discuss challenges, identify concrete ways to combat religious persecution and discrimination, and ensure greater respect for freedom of religion or belief.

This year’s ministerial meeting seeks to further conversations from last year’s event and recent regional conferences and “We expect participation of up to 1,000 civil society and religious community representatives, representing every corner of the world,” the statement said.

According to the statement  day one of the programme will focus on expanding the conversation on religious freedom and participants will discuss the necessary building blocks and emerging trends in advancing religious freedom, as well as how religious freedom, international development and humanitarian aid can work together to advance mutual interests.

Participants will on day two  discuss topics such as best practices for religious freedom advocacy; limitations informing, registering and recognizing religious communities; challenges facing religious minorities; combating the rise of anti-Semitism and anti-Islamic behaviour; and countering violent extremism; religious freedom and national security; religious freedom and economic development; cultural heritage protection for religious sites; religious minorities and humanitarian crises; international development aid and religious freedom; and mobilizing faith leaders around peace and development goals.

The participants will round up the discussions with a focus on identifying global challenges to religious freedom; developing innovative responses to persecution on the basis of religion; and sharing new commitments to protect religious freedom for all.

The statement said invitations were extended to likeminded governments that demonstrated record of advancing religious freedom and are committed to promoting Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or governments that have taken significant and meaningful steps to do so.

Survivors or close relatives of those who suffered persecution due to their religion or beliefs will share their stories. Government delegations will be encouraged to announce new actions and commitments they will take to protect and promote freedom of religion or belief, the statement said.

By Times Reporter