Foreign Workers in Israel Thrive Amid Conflict: A Case for Broader Regional Cooperation As conflict continues in Israel and the Palestinian territories, a noteworthy development is emerging: an influx of foreign workers from India and various African nations. These workers are not only stepping into roles once held by Palestinian laborers but are also finding […]
Month: December 2024
Washington, D.C. – The annual International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit, a gathering of over 90 religious freedom organizations from more than 30 faith traditions, is offering a special program for college students at its upcoming event. The summit, scheduled for February 3-5, 2025, in Washington, D.C., will include a University Partnership Program designed for graduate […]
New York, NY – In a recent episode of “Talk Line with Zev Brenner,” philanthropist Bobby Rechnitz shared his insights on the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Middle East, particularly concerning the Abraham Accords and the potential for further normalization between Israel and Arab nations. Rechnitz, actively involved in fostering these relationships, discussed his recent […]
Sudan’s ongoing civil war has severely eroded the progress made in religious freedom since the removal of dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019, according to a report by Open Doors. The conflict, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese National Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has led to the destruction or closure […]
This year, December 25th marks a rare and extraordinary occasion: the convergence of Christmas Day and the start of Hanukkah. Known as “Chrismukkah,” this unique overlap, occurring for only the fifth time in 114 years, creates an opportunity for interfaith families around the world to celebrate their traditions together in a spirit of unity and […]
Egypt Takes Steps to Foster Religious Tolerance in Education CAIRO (Impact-se) – Egypt has taken a significant step toward improving relations with Jewish and Christian communities by reforming its state-issued textbooks to remove antisemitic and anti-Christian content. This initiative marks a milestone in fostering religious tolerance and inclusivity in Egyptian society. According to a report […]
Baku, December 24 (AZERTAC) – President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has underscored the significant role of the Christian community in Azerbaijani society in a letter to Pope Francis on the occasion of Christmas. “The Christian community holds a distinctive place in modern Azerbaijani society. Our Christian citizens, who have settled in Azerbaijan and lived here […]
USCIRF Welcomes Senator Schumer’s Appointment of Ariela Dubler to U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Washington, DC – Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced on December 20, 2024 the appointment of Ariela Dubler to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). “We enthusiastically welcome Ariela Dubler’s appointment to the Commission,” stated USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck. “Her […]
With Donald Trump returning to the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has renewed efforts to expand the Abraham Accords, aiming to include Saudi Arabia in Israel’s normalization agreements with Arab nations. During Trump’s first term, the United States brokered normalization agreements between Israel and four Arab nations—UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan—under the Abraham […]
BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA: Rhoda Jatau, a Christian and mother of 5 in Nigeria, has been fully acquitted of any wrongdoing following a two-and-a-half-year legal ordeal on charges of alleged blasphemy. Jatau was imprisoned in May 2022 on blasphemy charges for allegedly sharing a video on WhatsApp condemning the lynching of Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, a Nigerian university […]