President Obama has recently appointed Dr. James Zogby as a member of the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Dr. Zogby is President of the Arab American Institute (AAI), Managing Director of Zogby Research Services, and a visiting professor of Social Research and Public Polling at New York University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Dr. Zogby received a B.A. from Le Moyne College and a Ph.D. in Comparative Religions from Temple University.
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad. USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners, such as Dr. Zogby, are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties.
Rateb Rabie, president and CEO of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF), says, “I would like to extend my best wishes and sincere appreciation for Dr. Zogby as a new member of the USCIRF. Based on his character, experience, and ardor, I am confident that the White House could not have chosen a better candidate for this role. This is a decision which I am certain will bring powerful change and influence to the mission of religious freedom.”
Dr. Zogby is a partner and supporter of HCEF, and is an Arab-American Christian who is an avid defender of human and civil rights. HCEF looks forward to working with him to bring religious freedom to our brothers and sisters who suffer from a lack of it in the Middle East. We will work together on issues to protect the religious freedom of the Holy Land and the entire Middle East. We are proud of Dr. Zogby as an Arab-American being appointed to such a prominent role.
