Washington, DC – 21Wilberforce, a global organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, has announced in 2024 the appointment of Wissam al-Saliby as its new President. Al-Saliby, a renowned expert in international religious freedom and human rights, brings a wealth of experience to the role and is committed to strengthening the organization’s mission.
| Speaking about his appointment, Al-Saliby noted, |
| “I am grateful for the ethos and vision of 21Wilberforce which was cultivated under the leadership of Randel Everett. As President of 21Wilberforce, I will be committed to serving and strengthening local church leaders around the globe facing discrimination, adversity, and persecution. I look forward to walking alongside them and exploring how we can partner in prayer, capacity building, resourcing, and giving them a seat at the table in international forums. 21Wilberforce is one of the best-positioned organizations to undertake such an endeavor and will be most effective as it brings the voices of local leaders to the forefront of advocacy and diplomacy for religious freedom and the rule of law.” |
In addition to Al-Saliby’s appointment, 21Wilberforce has welcomed two new members to its Board of Directors: J.T. Lent Jr. and Dr. Rev. Bruce Webb. The organization also expressed its gratitude to David Nelson for his years of service on the Board.
Al-Saliby’s extensive experience includes serving as the Advocacy Officer and Director of the United Nations Office in Geneva for the World Evangelical Alliance. He has also worked with the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary and has been involved in various human rights initiatives across the Middle East.
With Al-Saliby at the helm, 21Wilberforce is poised to continue its important work in promoting religious freedom and human rights worldwide.