Palwasha L. Kakar is the interim director for religion and inclusive societies at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Kakar joined USIP after four years with the Asia Foundation, where she was the Afghanistan director for women’s empowerment and development. Before that, Kakar led the Gender Mainstreaming and Civil Society Unit in the United Nations Development […]

The Office of International Religious Freedom promotes universal respect for freedom of religion or belief for all as a core objective of U.S. foreign policy. It monitors religiously motivated abuses, harassment and discrimination worldwide, recommending, developing and implementing policies and programs to address these concerns. Contact Isaac Six, senior official in the office, or Mariah […]

Hind Kabawat is director of interfaith peacebuilding at George Mason University’s Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution. Kabawat has directed the center’s Syria work since 2004 and has trained hundreds of Syrians in multifaith collaboration and civil society development.

The International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance is a network of like-minded countries fully committed to advancing freedom of religion or belief around the world. Currently 37 countries have joined the alliance, which is led by a four-member steering committee.

Elizabeth K. Cassidy is senior strategic adviser at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Her substantive expertise includes the International Religious Freedom Act, international organization issues, international and comparative law issues, and refugee and asylum policy.

Shaarik Zafar has worked at the intersection of some of the most critical foreign and domestic policy challenges facing the United States. He is the former special representative to Muslim communities at the U.S. Department of State and former special counsel for post-9/11 national origin discrimination at the U.S. Department of Justice. Zafar currently works […]

Aykan Erdemir is director of global research and diplomatic affairs at the Anti-Defamation League and is a former MP in the Turkish Parliament. He is on the advisory council for FoRB  Women’s Alliance and is one of the founders of the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief, a global network of […]

Chuck Garriott is the founder and executive director of Ministry to State. In addition to overseeing MTS, he leads weekly Bible studies on Capitol Hill and disciples a number of government workers in the Washington, D.C., area.

The International Center for Religion & Diplomacy works with religious leaders, governments and institutions to integrate the constructive role of faith leaders and institutions in the transformation of violent conflict.