February 2007

IRLA World Congress: Reflections-Day One

Posted August 21, 2009

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."

"Combat Religious Intolerance!" The World Congress Begins

Posted August 21, 2009

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.

New Challenges in Africa and Middle East

Posted August 21, 2009

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."

NGO Reports on Religious Freedom

Posted August 21, 2009

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.

Charismatic South African Local Premier Speaks Out for Religious Freedom Rights

Posted August 21, 2009

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.

Building a Wall Between Church and Hate

Posted August 21, 2009

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."