Washington: US President Joe Biden has nominated Indian-American attorney Rashad Hussain as the ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, the first Muslim to be nominated to the key position, according to the White House.
Hussain, 41, is currently director for partnerships and global engagement at the National Security Council. “The announcement underscores the president’s commitment to build an administration that looks like America and reflects people of all faiths. Hussain is the first Muslim to be nominated to serve as the ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom,” the White House said. He previously served as senior counsel at the department of justice’s National Security Division. During the Obama administration, he served as special envoy to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, special envoy for strategic counter-terrorism communications and deputy associate White House counsel.
In his roles as envoy, Hussain worked with multilateral organisations to expand partnerships in education, entrepreneurship, health, international security, science and technology and other areas. He also spearheaded efforts on countering antisemitism and protecting minorities in Muslimmajority countries.
