People
Ismail Royer
Profile
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Ismail Royer is the director of Islam and religious freedom at the Religious Freedom Institute (RFI). He converted to Islam in 1992. After becoming involved with an extremist group in Kashmir, Royer pleaded guilty to violating United States neutrality law and served nearly 14 years in prison. Since his release, he has been an outspoken defender of religious freedom and opponent of religious extremism. As coordinator of RFI's amicus brief efforts, he has been involved in filing nearly 100 briefs on behalf of religious liberty litigants of all faiths. His work has been published in many outlets, including the Washington Post, USA Today, Newsday, Dallas Morning News, First Things, Public Discourse, and the American Conservative. He is the co-editor of a forthcoming book on virtue ethics in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.