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The U.S. has signed on to a U.N. project whose stated aim is to build bridges between Islam and the West, but critics worry it is linked to an agenda that restricts free expression, especially when it comes to media coverage viewed as critical towards Islam.
State Department spokesman Philip Crowley announced Thursday that the U.S. has joined 119 countries and organizations in a "Group of Friends" supporting the Alliance of Civilizations (AoC), and as such will take part in the AoC's third global forum in Brazil in late May.
"The goals and activities of the Alliance complement President Obama's vision of active U.S. engagement with other nations and international organizations to advance American security interests and meet the global challenges of the 21st century," he said.