The United States criticised several countries, both allies and adversaries, for failing to protect religious freedom, a charge it has faced itself since launching its 'war on terror'.

In its fifth annual report on religious persecution, the US State Department condemned many Muslim governments, including those in Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as well as remaining communist states China, Cuba, Laos, Vietnam and North Korea, of similar offences.

It also criticised Israel, a staunch US ally, saying that some non-Jews there continued to experience "discrimination in the areas of education, housing, employment and social services".

But a leading Muslim civil society group in Washington said the report should also focus on conditions for religious minorities in the United States, especially Muslims, who have faced heightened discrimination since the Sept 11, 2001 attacks.