WATCH: Trump puts spotlight on religious freedom, persecution at unprecedented UN meeting

Originally published in CBN News

Donald Trump this week became the first US President to host a meeting at the United Nations on religious freedom.

“As President, protecting religious freedom is one of my highest priorities,” Trump told the nations of the world on Monday.

In his keynote address to the UN, President Trump pointed to alarming statistics showing 80% of the world’s population lives in countries where religious liberty is threatened, restricted, or even banned.

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“America stands with believers in every country who ask only for the freedom to live according to the faith that is within their own hearts.”

— President Donald J. Trump https://t.co/0aROvYmivD pic.twitter.com/bdrYDyPKgK

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 24, 2019

And followers of Christ are among the most heavily persecuted around the world. In fact, it’s estimated that 11 Christians die each day for their faith.

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“I mean just think of this, 11 Christians a day for following the teaching of Christ,” Trump said.

But he said the problem of persecution is clearly much broader, he noted, saying: “In 2016, an 85-year-old Catholic priest was viciously killed while celebrating mass in Normandy, France. In the past year, the United States endured horrifying anti-Semitic attacks against Jewish Americans at synagogues in Pennsylvania and California.

“In March, Muslims praying with their families were sadistically murdered in New Zealand. On Easter Sunday this year, terrorists bombed Christian churches in Sri Lanka, killing hundreds of faithful worshippers. Who would believe this is even possible?” Trump said.

In response to this global religious persecution, Trump announced an additional $25-million (R376.4-million) in funding to protect religious sites and relics. There will also be a new business coalition focused on workers.

“This is the first time this has been done,” said Trump. “This initiative will encourage the private sector to protect people of all faiths in the workplace.”

“I think that the fact is that it’s not just words on the part of this administration,” said Frank Gaffney CEO of Save the Persecuted Christians. “I believe that the president’s efforts on behalf of Pastor Brunson made clear that he used the instruments of American power.”

It was now up to the rest of the world to follow suit, he said.

“The most important message, he [President Trump] very much did deliver on the fact by his presence at this event. He put the nations of the world on notice,” he said.

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Trump urged nations to repeal laws that restrict religious freedom and increase prosecution towards crimes against people of faith.

“To stop the crimes against people of faith, release prisoners of conscience, repeal laws restricting freedom of religion and belief, protect the vulnerable, the defenseless, and the oppressed, America stands with believers in every country who ask only for the freedom to live according to the faith that is within their own hearts,” he said.