Critics attack State Department program sponsoring Ground Zero imam’s trip to the Middle East

When questioned last week about the State Department sponsoring Rauf’s trip to the Middle East, State Department spokesperson P.J. Crowley defended the decision saying, “His [Rauf’s] work on tolerance and religious diversity is well known, and he brings a moderate perspective to foreign audiences on what it’s like to be a practicing Muslim in the United States.”

In an interview on Fox News, Crowley also said that the State Department has sent roughly 50 religious authorities abroad to talk about religion in America. “This includes rabbis, imams and Christian scholars as well,” he said. “We value his [Rauf’s] participation in the program and he’s been an effective representative of the United States.”

The State Department has not yet returned TheDC’s request for comment by time of publication.