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2011 News Archives

For Immediate Release

Posted January 13, 2011

The International Religious Liberty Association is pleased to announce the International and National awardees for the 9th Annual Religious Liberty Dinner.

Graz Recognized at Richmond Gala

Posted January 19, 2011

On January 13th, Dr. John Graz, the Secretary General of the International Religious Liberty Association and Director of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s religious liberty work, received the Counsel on America’s First Freedom’s “National Award”.

IRLA Mourns The Passing of Sam Ericsson

Posted January 23, 2011

After battling cancer for eleven years Sam Ericsson passed away yesterday. “He was a dear friend and will be greatly missed, " said Dr. John Graz.

“Don’t Take Religious freedom for Granted:” Caribbean Activists Urge Action

Posted January 25, 2011

The challenge of defending religious freedom from emerging threats was the focus of a three-day event in St. George’s, Grenada.

IRLA Secretary General Visits Ecumenical Patriarch

Posted February 7, 2011

The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, spiritual leader to some 300 million Greek Orthodox Christians worldwide, met January 25 with members of the Global Christian Forum Committee

IRLA Strengthens Partnership with American Religious Town Hall

Posted February 7, 2011

Dr John Graz, IRLA Secretary General, recently presented a report to the board of one of America’s longest-running syndicated television programs dedicated to the free expression of religion.

Step Forward for Church-State Relations in Azerbaijan

Posted February 7, 2011

Seventh-day Adventists in Azerbaijan hope a recent meeting between church leaders and state officials will ease tensions and help the church gain official recognition for its congregations

Loma Linda Event Breaks New Ground

Posted February 10, 2011

More than 300 people gathered on the campus of Loma Linda University on February 5 to explore the challenge of preserving religious freedom amidst growing fear of terrorism and religious extremism.

Religious Liberty Sidelined at Ecumenical Meeting

Posted February 21, 2011

Dr. John Graz, IRLA Secretary-General, says the World Council of Churches Central Committee has lost a significant opportunity to discuss pressing issues of religious freedom, including a worldwide upswing in religiously motivated persecution of Christians.

Remembering a "Giant of Moral Courage"

Posted February 21, 2011

David Lin, a Seventh-day Adventist pastor and administrator who endured 17 years' incarceration under China's communist regime, is remembered as a "man of great moral courage."

Middle East Meeting: "We Need More Religious Freedom Advocates"

Posted March 1, 2011

IRLA representatives from across Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia met February 22 to 26 in Beirut, Lebanon, to discuss current issues and challenges.

IRLA Condemns Pakistan Assassination as an Attack on Freedom

Posted March 2, 2011

The brutal slaughter March 2 of Pakistan’s only Christian cabinet member is a wake-up call the world cannot afford to ignore, says Dr. John Graz, IRLA Secretary-General.

Human Rights Get a “New Look”

Posted March 9, 2011

The “Human Rights Project,” a photographic exhibition unveiled last month at the United Nations in Geneva, transforms the world’s most famous human rights document into powerful images.

Event Opens New Conversation with Islamic World

Posted March 9, 2011

Last week’s “Teaching Respect for Religions Symposium,” held in Amman, Jordan, represented a historic step forward in dialogue between the Islamic world and advocates for religious freedom.

In Ethiopia, Dozens of Christian Churches Burned in Interfaith Violence

Posted March 16, 2011

At least 30 Protestant churches in western Ethiopia were burned down last week in a series of attacks by religious extremists from the region.

IRLA Strengthens Ties with Colombian Religious Freedom Activists

Posted March 16, 2011

A leading Colombian politician says there is still more work to be done in his country to protect the religious freedom rights all its citizens.

9th Annual Religious Liberty Dinner Broadcast

Posted April 6, 2011

Watch events at the 9th Annual Religious Liberty Dinner broadcast April 5, 2011, from the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Global Faith and Freedom Records New Season

Posted April 4, 2011

The Hope Channel studios in Silver Spring, Maryland buzzed with activity March 21 to 24 as the television program Global Faith and Freedom recorded its new season.

UN Drops Controversial "Defamation of Religion" Resolution

Posted April 4, 2011

The IRLA commends the Human Rights Council's decisive move away from a resolution that sought to protect religion, rather than individuals

Washington Dinner Celebrates Religious Freedom

Posted April 6, 2011

More than 200 ambassadors, government officials, religious leaders, and religious liberty advocates came together April 5 to celebrate religious freedom and honor those around the world who work to protect and promote this basic human right.

Religious Freedom "Is Not a Luxury"

Posted April 14, 2011

Dr. John Graz, IRLA Secretary General, addressed scholars, religious liberty experts and religious leaders in Provo, Utah, at the 22nd annual conference of the LDS International Society.

IRLA Welcomes Confirmation of Ambassador

Posted April 19, 2011

The cause of religious liberty has a new champion following a vote April 14 in the United States Senate confirming Baptist minister Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook to the post of Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.

IRLA Urges Stronger Action on Pakistan

Posted May 24, 2011

Attacks on religious freedom are not only tolerated by Pakistan’s government, but are codified in the country’s notorious “blasphemy laws,” says a letter endorsed by 25 organizations and sent to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

IRLA Think Tank to Explore Secular Challenge to Freedom

Posted May 24, 2011

Is secularism weakening religious freedom around the globe? Some of the world’s foremost religious freedom scholars will meet in Sydney, Australia, to explore this question.

Top Speakers Confirmed for 7th IRLA World Congress

Posted May 24, 2011

An extraordinary line-up of speakers is coming together for next year’s IRLA World Congress, which will be held April 24 to 26 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Inter-America IRLA Gears Up for 2012 World Congress

Posted May 24, 2011

Leaders of the Inter-America chapter of the IRLA have pledged an all-out effort to help make next year's World Congress in the Dominican Republic an outstanding international event.

Evangelism Ban Proposed in Nepal

Posted June 12, 2011

A proposed civil code forbidding evangelism and missionary work in Nepal belies the country’s attempts to build a society based on respect for human rights, religious liberty advocates say.

IRLA Leader: “Religious freedom deserves higher profile in US foreign policy”

Posted June 20, 2011

The International Religious Liberty Association, together with a coalition of religious and human rights groups, is supporting proposed legislation that would require the US State Department to place more emphasis on promoting religious freedom around the world.

News Note: White House Welcome for German leader

Posted June 20, 2011

Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, has said: “Freedom does not come about of itself. It must be struggled for, and then defended anew, every day of our lives.”

Concern for freedom in Hungary as lawmakers consider new restrictions

Posted June 30, 2011

Strict registration requirements for minority religious groups are part of a proposed new law in Hungary that will soon come before the nation’s lawmakers for consideration.

IRLA Secretary General Praises Focus of South American Activists

Posted June 23, 2011

Dr. John Graz was honored for his religious freedom advocacy during his intensive eight-day series of public meetings and events, currently underway in Brazil.

IRLA Joins Call for South Central Asia and Near East “Religious Minorities Diplomat"

Posted July 18, 2011

Minority faith groups in places such as Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan are under threat, according to a letter signed by 36 religious and advocacy organizations and sent to the US Congress.

IRLA Promotes Mutual Respect in Conflict-weary Chiapas

Posted July 18, 2011

Religious conflict has plagued the Mexican state of Chiapas for more than three decades, yet a meeting of religious freedom advocates on July 16 aimed to send a strong message in support of mutual respect for all people of faith.

IRLA urges South Sudan to make human rights a “cornerstone of national identity”

Posted July 21, 2011

The newly born country of South Sudan has the chance to define itself as a nation that upholds democratic principles of freedom and human rights, says IRLA Secretary General, Dr. John Graz.

IRLA leader: "We Pray for Healing in Norway"

Posted July 25, 2011

"We stand with the people of Norway," says Dr. John Graz, IRLA Secretary General, who also expressed concern about media use of the term "Christian fundamentalist" to describe the alleged perpetrator of two deadly attacks.

Big Plans for Newly Formed Russian Religious Liberty Association

Posted August 8, 2011

The recently formed Russian chapter of the IRLA has announced plans for a series of events aimed at generating greater awareness of religious freedom issues throughout the region.

IRLA Euro-Africa Leader Dies in Swimming Accident

Posted August 19, 2011

Karel Nowak, Secretary General of the Euro-Africa Chapter of the International Religious Liberty Association, died while swimming in the ocean off the coast of Australia this morning, August 19.

IRLA Experts Gather in Australia to Address the Challenge of Secularism

Posted August 25, 2011

Twenty-seven academics and legal experts from 12 countries met at the University of Sydney this week to explore freedom of religion and the rise of secularism during a three-day international think tank.

Troubling Signs that the "Religious Freedom Divide" is Growing

Posted August 25, 2011

The global religious freedom "forecast" looks grim for the 2.2 billion people around the world who suffer discrimination or persecution because of their faith, according to the results of a recent study.

Karel Nowak: One Man's Legacy Lives On

Posted August 29, 2011

It is a message we never want to hear. We dread it. A message that a friend or a family member has passed away. Especially is this so when it is the result of a tragedy. Karel Nowak was a close friend of mine who tragically drowned August 19.

Remembering a Man of Integrity and Wisdom

Posted August 29, 2011

Tributes continue to flow in from around the world for Karel Nowak, Secretary General of the Association Internationale de Défense de la Liberté Religieuse, who died August 19 while taking a few days of vacation en route to an IRLA event in Sydney, Australia.

Karel Nowak: A Last Farewell

Posted September 6, 2011

Relatives and friends of Karel Nowak, who tragically died last month, came from across the Czech Republic and Europe on Monday, September 5, to remember a man of “great wisdom, kindness, and commitment.”

IRLA Leader Remembers His Friend

Posted September 8, 2011

Dr. John Graz represented the International Religious Liberty Association at the September 5 funeral of Karel Nowak, Euro-Africa religious freedom leader.

IRLA Calls for Release of Iranian Pastor

Posted October 3, 2011

The International Religious Liberty Association has added its voice to calls for Iran to release an Evangelical Christian pastor who faces execution for his faith.

Uncertain Future for Key Religious Freedom Body

Posted October 3, 2011

Political back-and-forth continues to plague efforts to reauthorize funding of the bipartisan Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Commentary: For Iranian Pastor, a Medieval Nightmare

Posted October 7, 2011

Will the Iranian state heed the outrage of the international community and release Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani? Or will he face death at the hands of a state executioner for the “crime” of following his conscience?

Education is Key to Nurturing Religious Tolerance

Posted November 27, 2011

The future of inter-religious tolerance and harmony may well rest, in large part, on the shoulders of today’s educators, says Dr. John Graz, Secretary General of the International Religious Liberty Association

Congress Sets New Deadline For Funding of Religious Freedom Body

Posted November 27, 2011

Political back-and-forth continues to plague efforts to reauthorize funding of the bipartisan Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Moscow Conference Highlights Upswing in Persecution of Christians

Posted December 12, 2011

Participants of a high-level religious freedom meeting have vowed to keep the plight of persecuted religious minorities in the Middle East and Africa in the international community spotlight.

Looming De-registration of Churches in Hungary Prompts IRLA Meeting with Ambassador

Posted December 13, 2011

International Religious Liberty Association leaders met this week with the Hungarian ambassador to the United States in an effort to help officials from that country better understand the potential effects of a looming deregistration of churches.

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