A service of Salisbury University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Virginia Muslim Group Delines Federal Dollars

Trump, Campaign Photo

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Associated Press has learned that another nonprofit organization is rejecting federal grant money to fight against violent extremism under President Donald Trump's administration.

The Obama administration in its final days offered nearly $400,000 to Unity Productions Foundation in Potomac Falls, Virginia. The money was to produce educational films challenging the narrative about Islam and extremism.

In a recent message to donors reviewed by the AP, the foundation said it notified the Homeland Security Department that it will decline the money "due to the changes brought by the new administration."

The foundation had planned to use the money to produce videos amplifying Muslim scholars' voices against terrorism and show Muslims engaged in social justice causes benefiting American society.

Two other groups previously said they were rejecting their grants.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.