Paul Marshall

United Nations Security Council Receives its First Religious Freedom Mandate

The United Nations Security Council may finally be taking international religious liberty seriously

A Close Look at Egypt’s Relentless Abuse of Coptic Christians
A Close Look at Egypt’s Relentless Abuse of Coptic Christians

For those of us who have followed the struggle of Egypt’s Coptic Christians, particularly during the presidency of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi, there’s been both good news and bad news.

The World Needs Clarity on Human Rights

When Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the formation of a Commission on Unalienable Rights in July 2019, many activists and pundits reacted sharply and negatively. But the world needs clarity on human rights.

Implications of the Hagia Sophia’s Conversion to a Mosque

Hagia Sophia’s conversion is the culmination of Erdoğan’s long campaign to transform Turkey into a neo-Ottoman empire.

Not War, but a Hurricane: A Better Analogy for COVID-19 and Pandemics
Not War, but a Hurricane: A Better Analogy for COVID-19 and Pandemics

Because the war analogy breaks down and causes problems, comparing the COVID-19 pandemic to natural disasters like hurricanes makes more sense and helps society think through current dilemmas.

Muslims and Evangelicals form Joint Working Group to Counter Extremism

On April 20, members of the world’s largest Muslim organization and one of the world’s largest Christian organizations announced the creation of a joint working group to counter two threats to religious freedom and to society more broadly: religious extremism and secular extremism.

Do Government Restrictions on Larger Church Gathering Violate Religious Freedom?
Do Government Restrictions on Larger Church Gathering Violate Religious Freedom?

Some argue that government restrictions on larger church gatherings are a violation of religious freedom. Others argue they are responsible and legitimate. Paul Marshall believes both positions are, or can be, correct.

Indonesia 2019 Election: Good News, Warning Signs, and Implications for the United States
Indonesia’s 2019 Election: Good News, Warning Signs, and Implications for the United States

Javanese voters linked to Nahdlatul Ulama will be the key swing demographic group in Indonesia’s elections moving forward. This is a mixed blessing in terms of religious freedom.

Islamophobia Unveiled: Unsympathetic Reflections on a New Watchword
Islamophobia Unveiled: Unsympathetic Reflections on a New Watchword

Real intolerance against Muslims exists, no question. But the term “Islamophobia” is too often deployed to inhibit rather than encourage dialogue about honest questions, concerns, or grievances.