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A bit of a photo cliche, but there you go. Couldn't leave Canyon lands without heading to Mesa Arch at sunrise - it's only a 10 minute walk from the car park, and is stunning in the early light. It's not the biggest or most dramatic of the stone arches, but the reflecting sunlight early in the morning makes it look like it's glowing red and orange. Photo credit: Robbie Shade via Flickr

Office of International Religious Freedom

Our Mission

The Office of International Religious Freedom promotes universal respect for freedom of religion or belief for all as a core objective of U.S. foreign policy. We monitor religiously motivated abuses, harassment, and discrimination worldwide, and recommend, develop, and implement policies and programs to address these concerns.

Key Topics

Monitoring and Combatting Antisemitism

The Office of International Religious Freedom works with The Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism to advance U.S. foreign policy on antisemitism, including the development and implementation of policies and projects to support efforts to combat antisemitism.

Learn More about Monitoring and Combatting Antisemitism Monitoring and Combatting Antisemitism

Frequently Asked Questions

Find out why the Department of State publishes the annual International Religious Freedom Report and designates Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs).

Learn More about IRF Report and Countries of Particular Concern Frequently Asked Questions

IRF Awards

The Secretary of State's International Religious Freedom Awards.

Learn more about the Award Recipients IRF Awards

Notice of Funding Opportunity

The International Religious Freedom Office funds foreign assistance programs to advance freedom of religion or belief globally. “Religious freedom” refers to the rights set out in Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Applicants may find NOFOs (Notification of Funding Opportunities) here Notice of Funding Opportunity