Sept. 23 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump told the United Nations Monday that stopping religious persecution around the world is one of his "highest priorities."
The event marked the first time a U.S. president has called a U.N. summit on religious freedom. Speaking before a crowd of world leaders, U.S. business owners and survivors of religious persecution, Trump committed another $25 million to protect religious freedom, religious sites and relics from persecution and destruction. He cited instances of state-sponsored religious persecution and attacks by individuals, terrorists and criminals. He said 80 percent of the world's population lives in places where freedom of religion is banned, restricted or threatened.