IRF Summit

A once-thriving community in Afghanistan, today Afghanistan's #Sikh religious population has dwindled to just a handful of families, mostly scattered outside of Afghanistan. Since the Taliban returned to power, persecution towards Sikhs have made living in their home country a near impossibility. Facing extinction and physical violence, most have fled to India and surrounding countries. Last year, a delegation of Hindus and Sikhs from Afghanistan met Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi at the Afghanistan Embassy to propose a return to Afghanistan if the Taliban regime could assure their safety, but tangible improvements seem to be limited or unclear. Persecution of Afghan Sikhs raises urgent questions for the international community about asylum pathways, accountability for attacks, and long-term preservation of minority cultures at risk of disappearing. We strive to highlight those religions at our annual Summit and elevate their cause to legislative changemakers. Thank you for following #IRFSummit as we continue to advocate for religious minorities across the globe. . . . #Afghanistan #Sikh #Sikhreligion #religiouspersecution

@USCIRF has released its 2026 annual report detailing religious freedom abuses around the world. USCIRF’s report emphasizes a troubling trend: both non-state violence and state repression are on the rise. The report paints an alarming picture of the rise of global persecution and discrimination: 📌 House church arrests in China 📌 Mob violence in India and Pakistan (as well as new blasphemy laws that functionally silence minorities) 📌 New legislation in Tajikistan that prevents parents from teaching their children about their faith. Recommendations to the Trump Administration and Congress include designating five additional nations as Countries of Particular Concern (CPC), including Afghanistan, India, Libya, Syria, and Vietnam, and adding several countries to the Special Watch List (SWL). We encourage the IRF community to closely review USCIRF’s recommendations and use them to inform advocacy efforts this year, including keeping an eye on its CPC, SWL, and Entities of Particular Concern recommendations. uscirf.gov/news-room/rele… . . . #religiousfreedom #USCIRF #IRF

We MUST not stop fighting! At #IRFSummit2026, IRF Summit Co-Chair Katrina Lantos Swett briefs Summit attendees on the state of the #IRF movement: "In many ways, the movement to advance freedom of religion or belief for everyone, everywhere, has never been stronger. In terms of momentum, attention, and resources, our cause is growing and on the move, and all of you are the reason why... But sadly, more people than ever now live in countries and regions where their most fundamental rights of conscience are restricted, repressed and threatened by governments, ideologies and too much indifference." Join our cry for religious freedom at #IRFSummit2027!

Featured #PartnerHighlight 🤝 Alliance of Virtue IRF Summit is proud to partner with the Alliance of Virtue, an interfaith initiative which brings together Jews, Christians, Muslims, representatives of other religions, and other people of goodwill, under shared virtues of human dignity, religious freedom, tolerance, justice, and peace. Their commitment strengthens the global movement for international religious freedom. Enjoy these photos from their sponsored lunch at IRF Summit 2026, including the 10th anniversary of the Marrakesh Declaration, a statement made in January 2016 by "more than 250 Muslim religious leaders, heads of state, and scholars", which champions "defending the rights of religious minorities in predominantly Muslim countries." Thank you for your support of #IRFSummit2026! . . . #internationalreligousfreedom #globalpeace

Over the past few years, #Rwanda has closed hundreds of churches over regulatory compliance issues. Now, devout Catholic and political opposition figure Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza has been barred from attending church by the Rwandan government. "Christians tend to be known in societies for daring to stand for justice despite the dangers... Being from a different religious group doesn’t mean you’re a threat." Umuhoza's daughter shared. Read more here: christiandaily.com/news/jailed-rw…

#IRFSummit2026 numbers are in! Thank you to all who made this year's IRF Summit such an incredible success. This year, we welcomed... 🌎 1765 attendees 🌎 143 speakers representing dozens of faiths and beliefs 🌎 Attendees from 87 countries 🌎 82 organizational parterns 🌎 100+ unique media hits Thank you for helping us make this event such a success as we work to elevate underrepresented religious voices around the globe! Want to join the movement? Sign up for #IRFSummit2027 here: irfsummit.org

🚨New @HudsonInstitute Report🚨 As Trump & Xi prepare to meet in May, they should discuss more than trade. Securing the release of political prisoners, including #JimmyLai, #PastorJin, and #GulshanAbbas should be a top priority. Here's why & how: hudson.org/why-trump-shou…

We recently wrote a piece in our newsletter on U.S. intervention efforts in Nigeria, urging a bipartisan coalition of support for religious minorities there. At least 157 Christians were reportedly killed on or around Easter Sunday in Nigeria, according to our partner organization, @persecutionnews. Religious minorities in dangerous locations should stay alert and prepared during these seasons of celebration. Sacred observances create opportunities for targeted violence; we see this same pattern happening in other religions as well. Attacks on gatherings during Shia Ashura ceremonies in Afghanistan are one example. Individuals should be able to observe their faith without fear of violence or persecution, especially on religious holidays. Read more: persecution.org/2026/04/06/doz… #EasterAttacks #religioiuspersecution #Christianity

Nearly 80 percent of the world’s inhabitants live in countries where there are high levels of governmental or societal restrictions on religion, and restrictions have been steadily increasing for several years. When we stop working against each other, we can begin to dialogue and create real change, together. Learn more about #IRFSummit's mission here: irfsummit.org #religiousfreedom #FoRB #humanrights #DC #DCevent

Looking to highlight your work and network with other #religiousfreedom organizations? At IRF Summit, we are proud to represent a diverse coalition of over 80 organizations committed to ensuring religious freedom for everyone, everywhere, all the time. As a partner, you'll have the opportunity to share your cause and shape critical discussions through collaboration, sponsorship opportunities, meetings with survivors and policymakers, and speaking opportunities. Be a part of our mission to bring religious freedom to the world. Sign up here: irfsummit.org/partner/ #religiousfreedom #FoRB #humanrights #DC #DCevent #partnership

History in the making at #IRFSummit2026. At the Summit, rabbis and imams came together inside the halls of Congress to have one of the conversations the world needs most: Jewish-Muslim reconciliation. We're excited to see many different groups uniting with the common goal of religious freedom for everyone. Learn more about #IRFSummit's mission here: irfsummit.org #religiousfreedom #FoRB #humanrights #DC #DCevent

🚨 Episode 7 | RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AS THE TIP OF THE SPEAR OF COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY On the most recent episode of The Transatlantic, Ambassador Sam Brownback reflects on decades of advancing religious freedom and why it is central to global security. (1/2)

🚨"It's beyond human imagination." @RobSchneider joins me at @kencen March 16, 6pm, in conversation for the book launch of "Killed to Order," one for the ages! Join us for an evening of unfiltered truth, uncomfortable realities, and a bit of dark humor. With LIVE Q&A. Together we'll make a real difference!

Defending religious freedom challenges power and often provokes retaliation, economic pressure, death threats, surveillance and coordinated disinformation. Authoritarian systems depend on fear to maintain control. Fear is their weapon. Courage is ours.

Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin continues to repress religious freedom. At @IRFSummit, NED convened experts & faith leaders who exposed Russia’s weaponization of church institutions— and how believers are pushing back. youtu.be/k-ddz05uMSA

“Facial recognition was first used against Uyghurs and now against Christians and other religious minority groups.” – Miriam Lexmann, Member of the European Parliament for Slovakia, shares her insights on an #IRFSummit2026 accountability panel: “Digital Frontiers and Algorithmic Bias – Next-Gen Accountability in the Information Age.” The panel dissected how AI surveillance and propaganda incite violence, while analyzing legal gaps that allow bad actors impunity. The discussion focused on solutions, including corporate accountability, blockchain for evidence storage, and international frameworks to monitor digital hate campaigns. We hope you enjoyed it, and we look forward to more critical conversations like this at #IRFSummit2027. #uyghur #uyghurrights #religiousfreedom

Section 230, surveillance, and content manipulation. At @IRFSummit, executive director @LeviBrowde addressed these urgent issues and Beijing's transnational repression of Falun Gong. WATCH 👇 & SAVE

At #IRFSummit2026, singer Libby Lloyd and pianist Brayden Walters delivered a beautiful and inspiring performance of "All That Matters" from the original Broadway musical "Finding Neverland" for our guests. We thank you both for gracing us with your talents.

Last week, I was honored to visit the @WhiteHouse and meet an inspiring group of persecuted Christians to hear their stories. DRL and the Trump Administration will always stand up for our fellow Christians who are increasingly persecuted around the world. Many thanks to the White House Faith Office for organizing this gathering.

"We see communities facing persecution and repression: The Uyghurs and Tibetans under severe pressure in China. Christians brutally targeted in Nigeria. Baháí and other religious minorities suffering discrimination and harassment in Iran and Yemen. The world must have a coalition that refuses to look away." @Paula_White, Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office, at #IRFSummit2026