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2007 News Archives
IRLA World Congress: Reflections-Day One
Day One and all is well. After preliminary formalities, the participants of the 6th IRLA Congress were anxious to absorb the thoughts and lessons shared in the first five seminars of the week. Paul Ratsara, southern African President of the IRLA, aptly described the positive atmosphere: "Our cause is just, and we will be victorious." ...READ MORE"Combat Religious Intolerance!" The World Congress Begins
The IRLA World Congress began today, February 27, examining the dramatic theme "Combating Religious Hatred through Freedom to Believe." With a positive and substantive welcome from Paul Ratsara, southern Africa IRLA president, the congress commenced with a clear commitment to highlighting the challenges. ...READ MORENew Challenges in Africa and Middle East
Paul Ananaba, a lawyer, summarized religious freedom in 47 African countries presenting a controversial rating on a scale of 1 to 7 on the standings of each country. In his presentation, Ananaba pointed out that "more needs to be done on protection and completion of rights on the African continent." With 61% of the countries in Western Africa rated as not free, he says "this is a good place to talk about it." ...READ MORENGO Reports on Religious Freedom
Religion in the Middle Eastern region is almost entirely Muslim. Most of the countries in this area are under the Muslim Sharia law. The Middle East Concern assists persecuted Christians in the Middle East. They help in three ways: assisting victims in specific cases of persecution, they hold projects that address structural discrimination and they train Christians on practical ways to prepare or react to the situations. In 2005 the MEC advocated and assisted Christians who were arrested or suffered persecution. Middle East Concern has become a vital entity for religious rights and freedom. ...READ MOREIRLA Third South American Congress to Take Place in Chile in 2008
"The 3rd South American Congress on Religious Freedom will be held in Santiago de Chile, November 18-20, 2008," said IRLA Secretary General, Dr John Graz, during a meeting of the IRLA Board of Directors in Silver Spring, Maryland, on October 2, 2007. Graz reported on his trip to Peru and Chile with the South American IRLA Secretary General, Edson Rosa. During their visit to Chile, September 26 to 30, they met religious leaders from the Catholic Church and various Protestant and Evangelical churches and associations. The project of a Congress on Religious Freedom received strong support from religious leaders. ...READ MORECharismatic South African Local Premier Speaks Out for Religious Freedom Rights
Cape Town, South Africa… In a passionate address to the Religious Freedom World Congress on February 28, Premier of the Western Cape Ibrahim Rasool spoke strongly about his religious freedom convictions. What was billed as simply a welcome to the delegates at the International Religious Liberty Association's World Congress turned into a clearly-articulated statement of support for religious rights that went beyond standard conventions. ...READ MOREGeorgian Human Rights Expert Consults IRLA Leaders
Silver Spring, Maryland… As part of a research visit to the United States, Khatuna Tsintsadze, a human rights expert from the republic of Georgia, visited the International Religious Liberty offices on May 1 to consult with IRLA leaders. ...READ MOREIRLA Support of the 2008 World Festival of Religious Freedom
The International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) Secretary General John Graz and the IRLA South American Secretary General Edson Rosa visited Peru and Chile on September 21 through 30. On September 24, they met with various religious leaders and officials in Lima, Peru. The Honorable Aldo Estrada Choque, Vice President of the Congress of the Republic, congratulated the IRLA for its promotion and defense of religious freedom in the world. He affirmed that religious freedom is a fundamental freedom for the Republic of Peru. On September 25, the IRLA delegation met the President of the Commission of Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Justice, Raquel A Gage Priale. ...READ MOREBuilding a Wall Between Church and Hate
In a telling turn on a much-used phrase, former World Vision president Ambassador Robert Seiple today (February 28) urged IRLA World Congress participants to promote "the separation of church and hate." ...READ MOREUnited Nations Wakes up to Religion
New York, New York... The United Nations (UN) is waking up to the role that religious organizations can play in meeting its goals--particularly in the area of social, development and peace issues. ...READ MOREIRLA Secretary General Plans Symposium in Mongolia
On Friday, May 25, 2007, International Religious Liberty Association Secretary General, Dr. John Graz, visited Mongolia to prepare for an IRLA symposium. He was warmly welcomed by Sairaan Kader, MP, Member of the Council on Religious Affairs and Samdan Tsedendamba, Secretary, Council on Religious Affairs under the President of Mongolia. ...READ MOREIRLA Meets to Honor its "Outstanding President"
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA… IRLA leaders met June 7 at an event also co-sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church to honor IRLA president Denton Lotz. ...READ MORE"Religion the Problem, Never the Solution": The Role of Reconciliation in Sustaining Religious Freedom
Richmond, Virginia, USA… "My concern is that religion is too often seen as the problem, and never as the solution," stated Ambassador Robert Seiple, chairing the Board of Experts of the International Religious Liberty Association gathered in Richmond, September 9-13. ...READ MORE