Meeting Resources
IRF ROundtable with USG on Capitol Hill
Monday, July 21, 2025, 10 AM - 11:30AM
Cannon House Office Building, Cannon Caucus Room (Room #390)
Introducing
The Roundtable Community
Welcome to The Roundtable Community, established to protect and defend people of all faiths and beliefs. All are welcome to launch, lead, and participate in multi-faith Roundtables.
Multi-Faith Letters
INDIA
Letter in Support of the Protection of Indigenous Religious Minorities in India
India is home to one of the world’s most diverse and vibrant tribal populations, composed of over 700 officially recognized tribes, constitutionally known as Scheduled Tribes (STs). Representing about 8.6% of India’s population, these communities are the custodians of unique languages, spiritual traditions, ecological knowledge, and cultural expressions that have flourished over centuries.
In recent years, their ability to freely practice their religions and beliefs has been subordinated to a combination of industrialization and government policies. Often quieted or all-together silenced, Indigenous scholars, activists, and artists have been absent in shaping their own narratives. In order to combat this neglect while still preserving their heritage and honoring their autonomy, we ask that tribal communities be both acknowledged and included in discussions surrounding freedom of religion and belief.
NICARAGUA
Letter in Support for Religious Prisoners of Conscience in Nicaragua
The International Religious Freedom Roundtable urges Senators Kaine and Curtis to address the escalating crisis of religious persecution in Nicaragua, where the Ortega–Murillo regime has systematically targeted faith leaders and institutions. Since 2018, over 260 clergy have faced arrest, exile, or denaturalization, while more than 1,100 religious buildings have been shut down.
These actions, aimed at silencing dissent and undermining religious authority, mirror broader authoritarian trends across the region and contribute to civil instability and mass displacement. The signatories call for Senate hearings, advocacy for imprisoned religious leaders, and targeted congressional support for individual cases, emphasizing that U.S. leadership is essential to defending religious freedom and advancing regional peace and democracy.
GLOBAL
Letter in Support of the Strategic Religious Engagement Remaining a Priority for the State Department
A diverse coalition of religious, civil society, and human rights leaders urges Secretary Rubio to preserve and strengthen Strategic Religious Engagement (SRE) as a key element of U.S. foreign policy. For decades, U.S. agencies such as the State Department, USAID, and the Department of Defense have partnered with religious actors to advance diplomacy, development, and national security.
However, recent structural changes—including the dissolution of the State Department’s SRE unit—threaten to undermine this critical capacity. The signatories call for the reestablishment of a dedicated SRE team, adequate staffing and training, and interagency coordination, emphasizing that sustained engagement with global faith communities is both a strategic necessity and a proven pathway to long-term global impact.
TURKEY
Letter in Support of Complete Acquittal in the “Girls’ Trial” on Religious Freedom Grounds Before Final Sentencing
The IRF Community and Rumi Forum previously circulated a letter regarding the urgent need to advocate for the complete acquittal of 41 women and girls on trial in Istanbul, Turkey, whose peaceful religious practices have been unjustly criminalized.
Known as the “Girls’ Trial,” this case involves high school students, university attendees, and mothers who face terrorism charges for engaging in routine acts of Muslim faith—such as group prayer, Qur’an study, and spiritual gatherings—due to their alleged affiliation with the Hizmet (Gülen) movement. The final sentencing was scheduled for July 18, 2025. The letter, addressed to U.S. IRF leaders, urges immediate international advocacy to uphold religious freedom and prevent the further misuse of anti-terror laws to suppress women’s faith-based lives.
CONGRESS
Letter in Support of the Urgent Confirmation of Appointed Ambassador at-large for IRF
The IRF Community, IRF Secretariat, and the IRF Roundtable Congressional Working Group have circulated a letter urging the swift confirmation of former Congressman Mark Walker as the next Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Nominated in April 2025, Walker’s confirmation remains pending, despite the urgent need for U.S. leadership on this critical issue.
The letter emphasizes that international religious freedom is vital to national security, democratic stability, and global peace, and highlights the increasing global crisis of religious persecution. The letter affirms that Walker possesses the qualifications and commitment necessary for this high-profile diplomatic post and calls on the Senate to act quickly to fill the vacancy and reaffirm America’s dedication to this fundamental human right.