Working to promote freedom of conscience for every person, no matter who they are or where they live.

February 2004

Dear Members of the IRLA:

It has been several months since my last letter. I hope you have been able to visit our website in order to stay in touch with the work of your association.

I am writing this letter while on my way to San Jose, California. February, as you know, is the month for the U.S.A. liberty tour for our team, and we are all busy. The first weekend in February, I was in Trinidad to work with Clive Dottin in preparation for the IRLA International Congress to be held there next year. While I was in Trinidad, Jonathan Gallagher and Mario Nino went to the Netherlands’ Antilles to organize a new IRLA association.

Now, let me share with you a report about the main IRLA events from the past few months.

  1. IRLA Azerbaijan Chapter Secretary General Arrested Imam Ilgar Ibragimoglu was arrested in Baku on December 1, 2003. Imam I. Ibragimoglu, Imam of the Juma Mosque in Baku, and IRLA Secretary General for Azerbaijan, was invited to witness the demonstration of October 14-15th against the manner in which the presidential elections were held. He has been in prison since that time, December 1st, and the authorities have threatened to close the Juma Mosque and turn it into a Carpet Museum. International pressure, and especially the reactions of the OSCE in favor of Ilgar, have had positive effects. What did we do? We sent letters, made contact with the Religious Affairs Director of Azerbaijan, and maintained contact with Ilgar. Imam Ibragimoglu has defended religious freedom successfully and was invited by the OSCE in Washington and Vienna. Please keep him in your prayers and thoughts as we do our best to help him.

  2. First IRLA Congress in Santiago de Chile: August 26th - 27th We had a successful congress with about 300 participants, superbly organized by the Chilean Religious Liberty Association. The team, led by President Guido Quinteros and Secretary General Magdiel Perez, did a great job. Ambassador Robert Seiple was our keynote speaker. Professor Rosa Maria Martinez de Codes from Spain, Professor José Camilo Cardoso from Argentina, Professor Cole Durham and Attorney Lee Boothby from the U.S. were able to be with us. Religious leaders, Christians, Muslims, and Jews were all involved in the program. Tuesday evening, August 26th, we attended a beautiful congress given by the Choir of the Chile Adventist University. On Thursday a delegation of participants visited Secretary Minister Francisco Huenchumilla in the famous Palace of La Moneda. It was the 30th anniversary of the coup d’état in a country which is still divided because of that issue. But what a change! The President is a Socialist and the Senate President is the daughter of former President Allende. General Pinochet is still alive. Siloe de Almeida did a good job as an advisor and facilitator of the program.

  3. Symposium at Laval University of Quebec: September 28th Beautiful city of Quebec! I was invited by Professor Pauline Côté from Laval University to take part in a symposium entitled “Public Management of Religious Diversity: Dangerous Religion and Endangered Religion.” A wonderful group of experts was in attendance from Europe, Canada and the U.S. Among them, Professor Blandine Chélini from the University Aix-Marseille, Professor Fregosi from the University of Strasbourg, Jeremy Gunn from Emory University, Willy Fautré the Director for Human Rights Without Frontiers; Massimo Introvigne from the Center for Studies on New Religions, and many more. I was part of a panel that discussed “The Role of Religions“ and chaired the session on “Public Management of Religious Diversity.” I also had the pleasure of meeting and congratulating Archbishop Marc Ouellet, a former member of the Christian World Communions, who had just been nominated a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II.

  4. Visit of the Ambassador of Serbia: September 30th His Excellency Dr. Ivan Vujacic, Ambassador of Serbia, promised to visit us after I contacted him about the beating of an Adventist pastor in his country. He came and gave an interesting speech about the future and the challenges in Serbia.

  5. Invitation from Ambassador Pamela Smith: October 2nd Ambassador Pamela Smith invited me, as Secretary General of the IRLA, for a roundtable about Human Rights and Religious Freedom at the U.S. Department of State. Ambassador Smith had been chosen to head the U.S. delegation to the OSCE Conference in Warsaw, Poland. A small group of six representatives from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Anti-Defamation League participated in the roundtable. Such an invitation is a good sign of the vitality of the IRLA. Ambassador Smith also invited me for a follow-up meeting, unfortunately I was traveling, but my associate James Standish was able to attend.

  6. Visit of Professor Blandine Chélini to our Offices: October 3rd Professor Blandine Chélini studies the relations between France and the U.S. within the context of religious minorities. Her trip to Washington was useful and we will keep in contact with her. She has written many important articles about these issues.

  7. Conference of the Secretaries of the Christian World Communions: Oct. 20th - 26th As the Secretary for the Conference of Secretaries, I worked with the Orthodox Church to organize the program for the Conference in Cyprus. The Bishop of Kikkos offered a fabulous and generous welcome to the group of leaders who represented over 2 billion Christians. Among the highlights of our time in Cyprus, we enjoyed one hour visit with the President of the Republic of Cyprus. I continue to be in contact with the Office of the Bishop in order to organize the 2005 IRLA Meeting of Experts in Cyprus. Such a conference is a great place to promote religious freedom!

  8. Washington Coalition: November 6th The meeting of the Washington Coalition on International Freedom is organized by the IRLA and chaired by Ambassador Robert Seiple. The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center in Arlington, Virginia graciously hosted our event. It was a good meeting. Jeremy Gunn was our keynote speaker and gave an excellent lecture on “Religious in the Mind of Terrorists.” The next meeting will be April 22, 2004.

  9. Visit to Laos: November 18th to Dec. 2nd This was a very important tour. Lincoln Steed, the editor of Liberty Magazine, and Hiskia Missah, our IRLA Secretary General for the South Asia Pacific Region, were part of my team. First we went to Vientiane, Laos where we stayed for 4 days. We met with members of the government, with the Chairman of the Laotian National Front for the Reconstruction, and the Minister of Education and Religious Affairs. We met also with the U.S. Ambassador to Laos, and with leaders from the Catholic, Protestant, and Adventist Churches. Only two Protestant Churches are recognized by the government: the Evangelical Church of Laos and the Seventh- day Adventist Church. We attended worship services on Saturday and Sunday. Daniel Walter, our IRLA representative in Singapore, was our guide. Ambassador Seiple, who is well accepted in Laos, had encouraged me several times to visit that beautiful country.

  10. An unforgettable visit to Ambon, in the Moluccas Islands, Indonesia: Nov. 26th - 28th We had a three-day visit in Ambon which has become extremely influential in my life. In a 3-year period a religious conflict between Christians and Muslims has killed 6,000 - 10,000 people. We saw the results: many houses, churches, schools, and universities were burned to the ground. Thousands of people lost everything they owned, and were forced to convert or faced forced circumcision. In spite of these tragedies, Christians and Muslims leaders are working together to rebuild what can be a beautiful island. We met with the Protestant leaders, and then the Muslim leaders in their homes. Both groups gave us a warm welcome. We encouraged their desire to work together for peace and religious freedom.

    Interestingly, on the plane, in the airport, and on the island, we were the only foreigners from Djakarta. About 500 Laskhar Jihad members are still in the city. We were easy targets. It was a dangerous trip, but necessary in order to encourage the people to be of good will, and to show them that we care about them, and to obtain a personal insight into the situation there on Ambon. Lincoln Steed later wrote an article in Liberty Magazine about that visit, and I have given several lectures illustrated by a powerpoint presentation. It was a very moving and thought-provoking experience.

  11. 4-day Seminar for Administrators and Leaders in Moscow: Dec. 14th - 17th Last summer, Andrews University asked me to give a 4-day seminar on the role of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty. The subsequently developed “International Masters Development Program” focused on strategies which could connect faith-based organizations, such as churches, with their communities. With the support of ADRA (Adventist Disaster and Relief Agency), the seminar demonstrated the interconnectivity between the religious, emotional, and social needs of a community with diplomatic overtures to other religious authorizes and government officials. The guest lecturers included: Anatoly Krasikov, IRLA Euro-Asia Chapter President and Head Scholar of the European Institute of the Russian Science Academy, Anatoly Pchelintsev, Director of the Slavic Legal Center, IRLA Board Member, Andrey Sebentsov from the Russian Federation, and Michael Odinstov, Deputy of the Russian Federation. These experts in religious freedom and church state relations work as attorneys, members of the Human Rights Commission of the Duma, members of the University of Moscow, or leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church. With the tremendous help of Victor Krushenitsky, the seminar was well received.

  12. Victor Krushenitsky leaves Russia and Anatoly Krasikov steps down: Dec. 18th
    During the IRLA Euro-Asia Board of Directors, in Moscow, December 18th, a ceremony was held for Victor Krushenitsky who resigned after eight years as Secretary General for the IRLA Euro-Asia Chapter. Victor Vitko was elected as the new Euro-Asia Secretary General and Feodor Shilov-Kovediaev, an economics professor at the University of Moscow and former first deputy in Borsi Yeltsin’s Foreign Ministry, was elected President for the IRLA Euro-Asia Chapter.

    All the members of the Board thanked Victor for his outstanding accomplishments in Central Asia for promoting and defending religious freedom. Victor organized several chapters in many regions and countries like Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Russia. Victor, together with Anatoly Krasikov, formed a great team. Victor will become an Honorary Member and Anatoly will be Honorary President. Our Central Asia chapter, a very crucial region, is beginning a new phase in the promotion of religious freedom.

  13. Kazakhstan Delegation Visits World Church Headquarters: January 12, 2004 Seeking to understand the nature of religious liberty and pluralism, three official visitors from Kazakhstan visited the world headquarters Jan. 12th during a U.S. State Department-sponsored visitor project. Ahaman Egizbaev is the president of the Evangelical Alliance of Kazakhstan, an organization which includes more than 1,000 Christian groups. Murat T. Mynbayev is the rector of the International Kazakh-Arabic University and Daulet Zakaryanov is the deputy head of the Internal Policy Department for the Pavlodar Oblysy region. “As a part of my work, it is very important that I get to know churches,” said Zakaryanov, the only government official of the three. He noted that there were four Adventist congregations in his region. Discussions included a report on religious liberty in the U.S. from the viewpoint of minority religious groups.

    The Republic of Kazakhstan is home to nearly 17 million people. An estimated 47 percent of the population are Mulsim, 44 percent are Russian Orthodox Christians, 7 percent claim “other” affiliations and 2 percent are Protestant Christians. There are nearly 3,400 Adventists in Kazakhstan worshiping in some 119 congregations.

  14. International Freedom Award for Religious Freedom Ceremony: January 15th In January, Professor Alberto de La Hera, Director of the Religious Affairs Department for the Ministry of Spain, received the International Freedom Award for Religious Freedom. Dr. Bert Beach and I were invited by the Council of the First Freedom to attend the Awards Ceremony. Professor de La Hera received the International Award during at a 400-person dinner, at which the Ambassador of Spain was represented. Richmond is the capital city of Virginia, the home of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, who gave birth to the first legislation on religious freedom which inspired the new American Republic. The Council of the First Freedom plans to build a museum in their center for religious freedom. It should be finished in 2007, and we have been invited to host an international congress there. Congratulations to Professor de la Hera. This award is “almost” the equivalent of a Nobel Peace Prize for religious freedom.

  15. Trinidad Meeting with the Acting Prime Minister and Chief Justice: January 30th At the end of January I visited our IRLA Caribbean Secretary General Clive Dottin in Trinidad. The purpose of my visit was to help organize the International Congress on Religious Freedom which will beheld in August 2004. We have strong support from the Chief of Justice, the Honorable Justice S. Sharma, and from the Acting Prime Minister, the Honorable Joan-Yuielli Williams. After visiting the government officials and the proposed venue, we decided to change the date of the congress to January 19-20, 2005. Then on Saturday, January 22, 2005, we will hold a large festival for religious freedom. Clive Dottin has organized an IRLA affiliated chapter in each of the Caribbean countries. He has done a great job.

  16. Liberty tour in the USA: January & February 2004 The IRLA team is involved with Liberty Magazine to promote religious freedom in the U.S. It is a great opportunity to speak and meet thousands of people around the country. I have been invited to speak at Mountain View, and Roseville, California, and in Spencerville, Maryland.

  17. Fides et Libertas Jonathan Gallagher and Viola Hughes have done a great job publishing the 2003 edition of our academic journal Fides et Libertas. They have also updated our website. Please visit it at www.irla.org

  18. 2004 Upcoming Events for Secretary General John Graz

    March 7- 19 Tour of Africa Meetings in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa. While in Cape Town, I will visit the venue for the 2007 World Congress. An advisory in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire is planned. We will begin preparations for the IRLA Pan-African Congress in Accra, Ghana, February 9-10, 2005.
    March 29 Visit of the Ambassador of Spain.
    March 30 Visit of the Ambassador of Myanmar.
    March/April UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva. Dr. Rossi has proposed on behalf of the IRLA a recommendation against the death penalty for conversion. Jonathan Gallagher will attend the Commission in Geneva.
    April 5 Visit of the Ambassador of Papua New Guinea.
    April 7 Religious Liberty Awards Dinner with IRLA, NARLA & Liberty Magazine. IRLA awards will be presented to Viorel Dima, Anatoly Krasikov, and Jean Bauberot.
    April 8 Visit of Anatoly Krasikov.
    April 22 Washington Coalition in Washington, D.C.
    April 23 Visit of UN Under-Secretary Joseph Verner Reed.
    May 20 - 24 Visit to Rome and Geneva
    May 25 - 27 International Congress in Kiev, Ukraine. The IRLA and the International Academy for Religious freedom will work together.
    June 17 - 20 IRLA Meeting of Experts in Strasbourg, France at Klingenthal Castle. The theme will be “Religious Symbols and Religious Commitments in the Public Sphere in Europe.”
    August 30-31 International Congress in Taiwan

  19. Official Meetings

    IRLA Board of Directors Meetings: April 15, 2004 October 10, 2004
    IRLA Legal Meeting: October 5, 2004

Please remember to keep in touch and may God bless you as you serve Him.

Sincerely,

John Graz
Secretary-General

Imam Ilgar Allahverdiyev President of the International Religious Liberty Association's organization in Azerbaijan with IRLA President Denton Lotz

 

Imam Ilgar Allahverdiyev, left, president of the International Religious Liberty Association’s affiliate organization in Azerbaijan with IRLA President Denton Lotz.

Minister Francisco Huenchumilla Jaramillo, Secretary General of the Presidency of Chile with Dr. John Graz IRLA and the Pastor Guido Quinteros

 

Minister Francisco Huenchumilla Jaramillo, secretary general of the presidency in Chile, meeting with Dr. John Graz, Secretary General of the IRLA and Pastor Guido Quinteros at the Palace of the Treasury.

Jan Paulsen President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Ivan Vujacic Ambassador of Serbia and Montenegro and Dr. John Graz

 

From left: Jan Paulsen, SDA President; IvanVujacic, Ambassador of Serbia andMontenegro; and John Graz

U.S. Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith profile picture

 

Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith

French Professor Blandine Chelini with IRLA Secretary General Dr. John Graz

 

Professor Blandine Chélini with John Graz

Conference of Secretaries of the Christian World Communions in Cyprus 2003, with the President of the Republic of Cyprus

 

Conference of Secretaries of the Christian World Communions in Cyprus 2003, with the President of the Republic of Cyprus.

Visiting Church Members in the city of Vientiane in Laos

 

Church members in Vientiane, Laos.

Ambon in Indonesia: Muslim Community Leaders meet with Dr. John Graz Secretary General of the International Religious Liberty Association

 

Ambon: Muslim leaders welcomed us into their homes.

Ambon Indonesia: The Religous Affairs Director with Dr. Graz Secretary General of the International Religious Liberty Association

 

Ambon: Religious Affairs Director in his home.

Russian Attorney Anatoly Pchelintsev with Victor Krushenitsky

 

Attorney Anatoly Pchelintsev and Victor Krushenitsky

The International Religious Liberty Association Board of Directors of the Euro-Asia Chapter in Moscow December 2003

 

IRLA Board of Directors, Euro-Asia Chapter, Moscow, Dec 2003.

Ahaman Egizbaev who is President of the Evangelical Alliance of Kazakhstan

 

Ahaman Egizbaev, president of the Evangelical Alliance of Kazakhstan.

Murat Mynbayev who is the rector of the International Kazakh-Arabic University

 

Murat Mynbayev, rector of the International Kazakh-Arabic University.

Daulet Zakaryanov the deputy head of the Kazakhstan Internal Policy Department for the Pavlodar Region

 

Daulet Zakaryanov, deputy head of the Internal Policy Department for the Pavlodar region.

International Freedom Award for Religious Freedom Ceremony Photo with Professors Alberto de la Hera and Marie Martinez de Codes Mrs Elaine Beach and Dr John Graz

 

From Left: Prof. Alberto de la Hera, Prof. Rosa Marie Martinez de Codes, Eliane Beach, John Graz

Acting Prime Minister of Trinidad Honorable Joan-Yuilli Williams

 

Acting Prime Minister Honorable Joan-Yuilli Williams

Trinidad's Chief Justice and Justice S. Sharma

 

Trinidad: Chief Justice, Justice S. Sharma