Arakan News Agency
Secretary of State John Kerry administered the swearing ceremony of Ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, David Saperstein, in Washington.
Washington, D.C. The Government of United States has appointed David Saperstein as Ambassador at-large for International Religious Freedom. Secretary of State John Kerry administered the swearing ceremony of the Ambassador at the State Department on February 20, 2015. A number of diplomats and community leaders were invited to the ceremony. Among the religious and community leaders, American Muslim community leader ISNA Director Dr. Syed Syeed and ARU Director General Dr. Wakar Uddin were invited to the ceremony.
In the introductory speech, Secretary John Kerry spoke about religious and ethnic persecution around the world that has resulted in violence, loss of lives, and displacement of millions of innocent people. Secretary Kerry highlighted some of the worst religious and ethnic persecution in the world, including those in Central African Republic, Burma, and several areas in the Middle East. Secretary Kerry pointed out the violence by Buddhists committed against ethnic Muslim minority in Burma and now they are facing deprivation of their citizenship. In the speech by the Ambassador Saperstein, he also stated the senseless violence against various ethnic minorities in many parts of the world, and has also highlighted the violence against Rohingya ethnic minority in Burma.
