WASHINGTON.D.C : The fourth annual International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit, held January 29–31 in Washington, D.C. The goal of the IRF Summit is to gain political support for the global religious freedom movement and embolden civil society, people of faith, and governments to take a stand for religious freedom. There were over 1,200 participants representing faith groups and NGOs from all over the world, making the Summit the largest-ever civil society-initiated gathering focused on IRF.
IRF Pakistan was invited to share its experience and views in a number of Summit events. IRF Roundtable Co-Chair for Pakistan and Chairman of ICPH (Interfaith Commission for Peace & Harmony), Ambassador Imam Allama Ahsan Siddiqui, led the Pakistani delegation to highlight progress and issues faced by minorities in Pakistan how religious freedom would alleviate injustices and strengthen Pakistan’s democracy and economy. The Pakistani delegation was well received and got an opportunity to share their insights on how to strengthen Pakistan youth, women and minorities.
The delegation consisted of Co-Chair IRF Roundtable Pakistan ambassador Allama Muhammad Ahsan Siddiqui, was comprised of Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Syed Abdul Khabir Azad, Muslim Christian Federation International Chairman, Qazi Abdul Qadeer Kahmosh, Caretaker Federal Minister for Human Rights, Kahlil George, Jamait Ahle Hadith Pakistan President Allama Hisham Elahi Zaheer, Pastor Anwar Fazal, (Isaac TV) Peace Center Lahore President Father James Channan, Pastor Amjad Farooq, Pakistan Hindu Council Chief Coordinator Karshan Lal, Media Anchorperson, Imtiaz Mir, Daisy Amjad Farooq, Pastor Nasir John, Asif Masi , Kashif Mirza.
The Representative and delegation attended a three-days conference titled the International Religious Freedom (IRF Summit 2024), hosted by Mr. Sam Brownback, former Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom at the State Department. and Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights, Co-Chair of the IRF Summit. The conference was addressed by American leaders, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of State, as well as faith leaders and activists for persecuted religious minorities from around the world.
The IRF Summit 2024 brought together a broad coalition that supports religious freedom around the globe for an in-person gathering that helped raise the profile of various issues related to the freedom of worship, including blasphemy laws, illegal harvesting of human organs, and the singling out of women among persecuted minorities.
The Co-Chair IRF Roundtable Pakistan Ambassador Allama Ahsan Siddiqui said that delegation from Pakistan’s successful trip to the IRF Summit 2024 is a testament to the country’s efforts in promoting religious freedom and tolerance and finding solutions to the challenges. He said that ICPH and IRF Pakistan stands for the proposition that everyone around the world should be allowed the freedom to have faith, choose their faith, or have no faith at all. The delegation’s participation and representation at the summit has not only brought positive recognition to Pakistan but also highlighted the country’s ongoing efforts to protect the rights of all its citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs. The delegation was a significant milestone for Pakistan, as it showcased the country’s commitment to promoting religious freedom and tolerance. Ambassador Allama Ahsan said that the delegation’s active participation and representation at the summit were highly appreciated by the international community, and it further strengthened Pakistan’s position as a leader in promoting religious harmony, unity, minorities empowerment and sustainability.
The IRF Pakistan delegation attended the informative sessions at the Summit and met with other groups from around the world. The IRF Pakistan Co-Chair IRF Roundtable Pakistan Ambassador Allama Muhammad Ahsan Siddiqui aloung delegation also had a meet with Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious freedom Rashad Hussain, Sam Brownback, former Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom at the State Department. and Katrina Lantos Swett, Co-Chair of the IRF Summit, visit worships places,National Press Club, where they discussed the importance of promoting religious freedom and tolerance in the media.
While the after IRF Summit 2024 IRF Pakistan prominent and senior leadership, Co-Chair IRF Roundtable Pakistan Ambassador Allama Muhammad Ahsan Siddiqui, Qazi Abdul Qadeer Kahmosh, Kahlil George, Maulana Syed Abdul Khabir Azad, Allama Hisham Elahi Zaheer, Pastor Anwar Fazal and Father James Channan attended the National Prayer Breakfast (NPB Gathering 2024) and joined President Biden and a number of religious leaders, and dignitaries from around the world.
