Statesmanship and Religious Freedom(SaRF) Program Series – Day 2

On the second day of the RFI Program series, April 13th, Dr. Jim Bennett, Director of the National Center for Religious Freedom

Education (RFI) spoke about “Religious Freedom in Practice: Cornerstone of Flourishing Societies”, followed by a speech from Dr. Thomas Schmidinger, who is a visiting professor, from the University of Kurdistan Hewler, on “Engaging with Religious Diversity in Iraq”. 

During the day, religious sites were visited; Lalish Temple in Sheikhan, Raban Hormizd Monastery and the tomb of Prophet Nahum, both in Alqosh. 

The facilitators were Dr. Thomas Schmidinger, and Dr. Bayar Mustata (Dean for External Engagement and Research, UKH). 

Mr. Irvin Hicks Jr. US Consul General was also present for day two of the seminar series. 

The program series continued later with the young leaders panel, for which Mr. Vida Hanna, Director of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications (CUE), Mr. Rody Sher Editor in Cheif for ACI MENA, Dina Miren, Middle East Theater, and Mahnaz Ramadhan, Strategic Projects and Partnerships Manager, President’s Office (UKH), participated. Moderated by Mr. Jeremy Barker. 

The day was concluded with the speaker, Mariah Mercer, Deputy Director, Office for International religious Freedom, U.S. State Department (via zoom), who spoke about Advancing Religious Freedom in Foreign Policy.