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AFP
GENEVA
PRESIDENT Donald Trump's controversial nominee to lead the UN migration agency dismissed allegations of anti-Muslim bias on Thursday, telling AFP he"never"considers the faith of those in need.
But Ken Isaacs, also accused of being a climate science sceptic, did not directly confirm that he recognises climate change as a key driver of global migration, a central conviction of the International Organization for Migration.
Isaacs has taken a leave of absence from his post as vice president of the Christian charity Samaritan's Purse since being tapped by Trump on February 1 to head the Geneva-based IOM.
Isaacs held a senior role with the US Agency for International Development during George W Bush's administration. Following his nomination for IOM director-general -- a job traditionally held by an American -- the Washington Post highlighted a series of anti-Muslim social media posts, which have since been removed.
The paper reported tweets between 2015 and 2017 in which Isaacs claimed the Koran 'instructs' Muslims to commit acts of violence, suggested Syrian Christian refugees should be given priority over Muslim ones and challenged claims that Islam was a peaceful religion.
In a February 11 editorial, the Washington Post said his leadership of IOM"would be an embarrassment to the United States"because of his"ignorant, prejudiced and incendiary comments"on Twitter.
Some civil society leaders have also voiced concern over the nomination.
