From Lashkar's Terror Camps To White House: Trump Administration Appoints Two Jihadists To Advisory Board Of Religious Liberty Panel

The Trump administration's decision to appoint two former jihadist operatives, including a man previously convicted on terror charges, to the White House Advisory Board of the Religious Freedom Commission has sparked widespread controversy, Firstpost reported.

Ismail Royer, one of the appointees, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2004 after pleading guilty to aiding the use of firearms and explosives in support of terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and al-Qaeda. He served 13 years.

According to earlier reports by The Washington Post, Royer is reported to have trained in Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) camps in Pakistan in 2000 and allegedly participated in activities in Kashmir.

Trump's ardent supporter and controversial far-right commentator Laura Loomer criticised the appointment, calling it “insane”.

Loomer, known for her influence in conservative political circles, also flagged allegations against co-appointee Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, an Islamic scholar and co-founder of Zaytuna College, whom she accused of links to proscribed jihadist groups.

In a statement, the White House said that Royer is currently the director of the Islam and Religious Freedom Action Team at the Religious Freedom Institute.

The statement added, “Since converting to Islam in 1992, he has studied religious sciences with traditional Islamic scholars and spent over a decade working at non-profit Islamic organisations. Royer has worked with nonprofits to promote peace between faiths.”

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