The International Religious Freedom Summit held in Washington, D.C. on July 13-15, 2021, brought together a diverse group of leaders, activists, and advocates from around the world to address the urgent issue of global religious persecution. The summit, which was attended by over 1,000 participants from over 130 countries, aimed to amplify the voices of those who are oppressed and persecuted for their faith, and to foster international cooperation to combat religious intolerance and discrimination.

The summit featured a wide range of speakers and panel discussions, focusing on topics such as the persecution of religious minorities, the role of governments in promoting religious freedom, and the importance of interfaith dialogue and cooperation. The participants included religious leaders, human rights activists, government officials, and former victims of religious persecution, all of whom shared their experiences and insights on the challenges and opportunities for advancing religious freedom around the world.

One of the key themes that emerged from the summit was the need for a unified and coordinated effort to address religious persecution. Many speakers highlighted the importance of building alliances across different faith traditions, as well as the necessity of engaging with governments and international organizations to promote religious freedom and protect vulnerable communities. The summit also emphasized the role of civil society in advocating for the rights of religious minorities and combating extremist ideologies that fuel religious violence and discrimination.

The summit also provided a platform for the launch of several new initiatives aimed at advancing religious freedom. For example, the United Arab Emirates announced the establishment of a new virtual interfaith platform called the Abrahamic Family House, which aims to foster dialogue and cooperation among the three Abrahamic faiths – Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. In addition, the Religious Freedom Institute launched the International Religious Freedom Alliance, a multilateral network of governments, civil society organizations, and religious communities committed to addressing religious persecution and promoting religious freedom.

Overall, the International Religious Freedom Summit served as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to confront religious persecution and uphold the fundamental right to religious freedom for all people. By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, the summit helped to build a global coalition of leaders and advocates committed to combating religious intolerance and discrimination, and to fostering a more inclusive and peaceful world for people of all faiths. As the summit concluded, participants expressed their determination to continue working together to advance religious freedom and to support those who are persecuted for their beliefs.