Authorization for establishment of Office to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia

Title I of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 66. Monitoring and combating Islamophobia (a) Office To Monitor and Combat Islamophobia (1) Establishment Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of State shall establish within the Department of State an Office to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia (in this section referred to as the Office). (2) Head of Office (A) Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia The head of the Office shall be the Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia (in this section referred to as the Special Envoy) who shall be appointed by the Secretary of State. (B) Appointment of Special Envoy The Secretary may— (i) if considered appropriate by the Secretary, appoint the Special Envoy from among officers and employees of the Department of State; and (ii) allow any such officer or employee appointed as Special Envoy to retain the position (and the responsibilities associated with such position) held by such officer or employee prior to such appointment. (b) Purpose of Office The Office shall be responsible for the following: (1) Monitoring and combating acts of Islamophobia and Islamophobic incitement that occur in foreign countries. (2) Coordinating and assisting in the preparation of that portion of the reports required by sections 116(d)(9) and 502B(k) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d), 2304(k)) relating to an assessment and description of the nature and extent of acts of Islamophobia and Islamophobic incitement. (3) Coordinating and assisting in the preparation of that portion of the report required by section 102(b)(1)(A)(viii) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6412(b)(1)(A)(viii)) relating to an assessment and description of the nature and extent of acts of Islamophobia and Islamophobic incitement. (c) Consultations The Special Envoy shall consult with domestic and international nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations and institutions, as the Special Envoy considers appropriate, to carry out this section..