When my organization, Empower Women Media, surveyed over 7,000 people across the Middle East, North Africa, Nigeria, and Pakistan, more than 95 percent agreed that women deserve protection from religious persecution. But for countless women, this consensus has yet to translate into reality. In many parts of the world, religion is wielded as a weapon…
Have you ever wondered how we measure something as complex as religious freedom? It’s not as simple as counting votes or currency. Understanding if religious freedom is progressing, especially in regions like the Middle East, requires a thoughtful approach to tracking changes over time that is based on context-sensitive information and thoughtful methodology. The Big…
In a rare and meaningful convergence this year, two of the world’s major religious traditions Islam and Christianity observe sacred occasions at nearly the same time. Muslims around the world mark Eid al-Adha and the annual Hajj pilgrimage, while Christians celebrate Pentecost Sunday, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit. Though arising from different historical…
I first crossed Checkpoint 300 in February of 2014. Checkpoint 300 is located between Bethlehem and Jerusalem and is the main crossing in the area between the two sides of this beautiful but conflicted land. I had been invited to go on a tour of Israel by a group of leaders from the church I…
As conflicts in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq continue to expose the fragility of governance across the MENA region, the urgent need for structural solutions has become undeniable. One of the most overlooked, but foundational, issues is the status of religious freedom. This article argues that sustainable peace will remain elusive unless governments and peacebuilders address…
Over the past decade, international efforts to promote religious freedom have gained significant momentum, particularly in regions marked by religious persecution and discrimination. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with its intricate religious, cultural, and political dynamics, has become a focal point for many international initiatives aimed at fostering religious tolerance and protecting…
(Los Angeles and Washington DC) – January 25, 2025. Women from the Middle East see a new door open to advance the peace process and multi-faith collaboration. One initiative that has emerged in response to recent conflict is the Abraham Women’s Alliance (AWA). The co-founder and director, Shirin Taber shares, “Research shows that women-led initiatives…
Nigerian Filmmaker Dolapo Aderinokun Highlights Untold Stories of Hope In The Unusual Partners, two religious leaders from different faiths lead their people on a journey of reconciliation. Pastor James and Imam Ashafa were former members of competing militias in Nigeria who experienced personal losses through religious violence, but the painful experience brought them together as…
This past month, I had the privilege of joining an extraordinary team for the Empower Women Media Dubai Forum. The experience was hope-filled and transformational. It was filled with awe, connection, and renewed hope for our work to promote gender equality and religious freedom. Day One Our first full day began with a team excursion…