Oct 1, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

USCIRF Releases New Report about Religious Tensions and Fulani Communities in West and Central Africa

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious tensions and Fulani communities in west and central Africa:

West and Central Africa Factsheet – This factsheet explores the role that religion plays in escalating violence committed by and against Fulani communities in west and central Africa. Predominantly Muslim and historically associated with cattle herding and livestock rearing, Fulani communities – one of the largest ethnic groups in the world – stretch across the African continent from Senegal to Sudan and have been both the victims and perpetrators of violence against civilians in many countries in recent years. Although the extent to which religious ideology contributes to driving this violence remains a subject of debate, the trend of increasing violence by and against Fulani groups is clearly aggravating religious tensions in countries such as Nigeria and the Central African Republic.

In its 2020 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S State Department designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its ongoing, systematic, and egregious religious freedom violations. USCIRF also recommended that the State Department place the Central African Republic on its Special Watch List (SWL).

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].

 

Aug 29, 2025

USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Azerbaijan

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report: 

Azerbaijan Country Update – Religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan remain highly restricted. The government’s total control of religious life and affairs leaves no room for independent religious affiliations, expression, or activities. This report provides updates on the religious freedom situation in Azerbaijan and highlights recent cases of freedom of religion or belief violations.

In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State maintain Azerbaijan on the Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom. In June, USCIRF held a hearing on religious freedom conditions in Azerbaijan.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress, intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected]

Gender: Male

Current Location: Rawalpindi

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Unspecified/Other

Sentence: Death

Date of Sentencing: January/24/2025

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures) Blasphemy (Religious Texts)

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy

Wajid Ali

Extra Bio Info:

Wajid Ali is imprisoned and sentenced to death for blasphemy.

On January 24, 2025, Judge Tariq Ayub sentenced Ali and three others to death and fined 4.6 million rupees. Ali and his associates were accused of posting blasphemous material on social media and WhatsApp.