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Lord Ahmad given role as Prime Minister’s Special Envoy
on Freedom of Religion or Belief
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Role will involve promoting religious liberty and
advancing understanding of all faiths around the
world
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Particular focus will be given to religious minorities
experiencing hostility
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Christians and other minorities in the Middle East, and
the Ahmadiyya, Baha’i, Hindu and Christian communities in South
Asia are among those facing persecution
Lord Ahmad has today been appointed as the Prime Minister’s
Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
The role, which supports the Prime Minister’s commitment to
religious tolerance in the UK, will allow Lord Ahmad to
demonstrate the country’s commitment to religious freedom by
promoting inter-faith respect and dialogue internationally.
Lord Ahmad, who is also Minister of State for the Commonwealth
and the UN at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, will promote
the UK’s firm stance on religious tolerance abroad, helping to
tackle religious discrimination in countries where minority faith
groups face persecution.
The appointment underscores the Prime Minister’s commitment to
tackling religious prejudice in all its forms and follows the
government’s recent announcement of a further £1 million funding
for places of worship that have been subjected to hate crime
attacks.
Prime Minister said:
“Religious discrimination blights the lives of millions of people
across the globe and leads to conflict and instability. Both here
and abroad, individuals are being denied the basic right of being
able to practise their faith free of fear.
“Tolerance for those of different faiths is fundamental to our
values, and is an issue I know is already of great importance to
Lord Ahmad, who is constantly looking for fresh ways to promote
religious liberty in his role as Minister for Human Rights at the
Foreign Office.
“I look forward to supporting him in this new role as he works
with faith groups and governments across the world to raise
understanding of religious persecution and what we can do to
eliminate it.”
The PM’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Lord
Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon said:
“In too many parts of the world, religious minorities are
persecuted, discriminated against and treated as second class
citizens. As a man of faith, I feel this very keenly.
“Freedom of Religion or Belief is a human right enshrined in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It must be respected.
People from all faiths or none should be free to practise as
they wish. This respect is key to global stability, and is in all
our interests.
“I am delighted to have been appointed as the PM’s Special Envoy.
I shall use the UK Government’s global network to reach across
religious divides, seek the elimination of discrimination on the
basis of religion or belief and bring different communities
together.”
