USCIRF Urges Secretary Clinton to Raise Religious Freedom Issue During Saudi Visit

One of the United States' longtime allies proposes elimination of Christianity in the land of oil.

Photo: The CIA

(WASHINGTON DC) - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom urges Secretary of State of State Hillary Clinton to raise religious freedom concerns, among other bilateral issues, during her visit tomorrow and Saturday (March 30-31) to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

It is vitally important that Secretary Clinton raise religious freedom concerns, given the recent statement by the Saudi Grand Mufti Abdulaziz ibn Abdullah Al al-Sheikh that it is “necessary to destroy all the churches of the region.”

“Such a statement from the highest ranking Muslim cleric in Saudi Arabia could provide fuel to extremist elements looking for a reason to attack churches in the region, particularly in Gulf countries. Furthermore, such a statement never should come from a high-level cleric who is on the payroll of the Saudi government,” said USCIRF Chairman Leonard Leo.

To view USCIRF’s recently released Annual Report that includes a chapter on Saudi Arabia and recommendations for U.S. policy, go to: http://www.uscirf.gov/reports-and-briefs/annual-report/3706-2012-annual-report.html.

Salem-News.com maintains the position that while this commission has the potential to accomplish good, it remains in a terribly awkward position, refusing to cite Israel and Sri Lanka of violations of human rights over their respective, established religious governments. Both are among the worst in history, both maintain apartheid governments, both exist on the principle of religious discrimination and preference. Get it together USCIRF; come clean and be honest, or your pursuits remain at best, half-hearten efforts.