• Many youth have returned home after years of displacement and are participating in USAID’s Shared Future activity to strengthen their leadership and entrepreneurship skills to rebuild their communities. Photo Credit: Catholic Relief Services

    Youth participants from various backgrounds clean a historic religious site in Telkaif, northern Iraq.

  • The hospital in northern Iraq was looted, set alight, and vandalized by ISIS. The restored hospital is now equipped to serve over 500,000 residents of the Ninewa Plains. Photo Credit: UNDP FFS

    USAID funded the rehabilitation of Hamdaniya Hospital through the United Nations Development Program.

  • Lebanese and refugee women beneficiaries under a USAID grant to the Makassed Philanthropic Islamic Association of Beirut produce face masks for healthcare providers in Lebanon in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Lebanese and refugee women beneficiaries under a USAID grant to the Makassed Philanthropic Islamic Association of Beirut produce face masks for healthcare providers in Lebanon in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advancing Religious Freedom and Pluralism

Language: English
Lebanese, Palestinian, Syrian Youth Help Others Find Their Voice in New USAID Program
Lebanese, Palestinian, Syrian Youth Help Others Find Their Voice in New USAID Program
USAID Helps Iraqi Businesses Rebuild Economic Ruins Left by ISIS
USAID Helps Iraqi Businesses Rebuild Economic Ruins Left by ISIS
USAID Partners with Faith-Based Organizations to Offer Online Education to Vulnerable Lebanese and Refugee Youth During COVID-19 Quarantine
USAID Partners with Faith-Based Organizations to Offer Online Education to Vulnerable Lebanese and Refugee Youth During COVID-19 Quarantine

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Middle East

Advancing international religious freedom is a major foreign policy priority of the United States in order to reduce levels of religious persecution, bias and discrimination, reduce religion-related violent extremism and terrorism, and track and prevent potential mass atrocities through early warning systems.

The Middle East has a rich history of religious and ethnic pluralism. In some places, however, policies, social practices, and external influences have fueled religious and ethnic polarization, persecution, and even genocide - as seen perpetrated by the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). These factors undermine social cohesion, economic growth, governance, peace, and security. USAID activities that support religious and ethnic minorities in the Middle East are essential components to preserve diverse, vibrant communities that are peaceful, prosperous, and secure.

Since 2017, USAID has provided over $370 million for activities that support religious and ethnic minorities across the region.

Contact Information

USAID Contact

Washington
, DC 
USA