KRG Representative Aziz accompanied senior officials from the Kurdistan Region to the 2026 annual International Religious Freedom Summit and National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC, reinforcing the Region’s commitment to pluralism and interfaith coexistence.
H.E. Ano Jawhar Abdoka, Minister of Transportation and Communications, a Chaldean, participated in the events and affirmed the Kurdistan Regional Government’s firm commitment to protecting ethnic and religious communities across the Kurdistan Region. He highlighted the KRG’s long-standing efforts to safeguard and strengthen their rights, ensure equal access to services and opportunities, and preserve their cultural and religious heritage. The KRG continues to advance freedom of religion as a pillar of stability, coexistence, and democratic governance.
In addition, Dr. Hemn Hawrami, former Deputy Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament and a senior member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), attended the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington. On the margins of the gathering, he held a series of meetings with U.S. officials, members of Congress, and policy experts to exchange views on political developments in Iraq and the wider region, the importance of protecting the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional status, and opportunities to strengthen U.S.–Kurdistan relations.
Discussions also focused on the Kurdistan Region’s role as a reliable partner for the United States, ongoing reform efforts, and the need for continued international engagement to support stability, democratic institutions, and economic growth.
These engagements reflect the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to dialogue, pluralism, and religious coexistence, including strengthening long-standing partnerships.
International Religious Freedom Summit
This year’s International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit convened policymakers, faith leaders, civil society organizations, and human rights advocates to address religious persecution and strengthen international accountability mechanisms.
Summit discussions focused on:
- The link between religious freedom and global security.
- Protecting persecuted communities and religious minorities.
- Identifying early warning signs of escalating persecution.
- Strengthening sanctions, legal frameworks, and accountability tools.
- Building cross-sector and multi-faith partnerships.
KRG’s engagement highlighted the Kurdistan Region’s record of protecting its diverse communities, including Christians, Yazidis, Turkuman, and other minority groups, particularly during and after ISIS atrocities.
Discussions throughout the Summit reinforced that safeguarding religious freedom is not only a moral responsibility but a strategic imperative. Societies that protect minority rights and promote inclusion are more resilient and less vulnerable to instability and extremism. Within this broader framework, several conversations also addressed developments in Syria, including the protection of Kurdish-administered areas in the northeast and the importance of ensuring that religious and ethnic communities in those regions are not marginalized in future political arrangements. Participants emphasized that protecting pluralism in Syria, including the rights of Christians, Yazidis, Kurds, and other communities, is essential to preventing renewed instability and fostering long-term regional security.
2026 National Prayer Breakfast
The annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. is a bipartisan gathering convened by Members of Congress. This year, Congressman Jonathan Jackson and Congressman Ben Cline as organizers of the Congressional caucus supported the event, and underscored its cross-party commitment to faith, dialogue, and national unity.
Since 1953, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower joined Members of Congress for the inaugural event, the National Prayer Breakfast has served as a platform for reflection, reconciliation, and dialogue across faith traditions and political backgrounds. This year, President Donald Trump also addressed attendees, underscoring the importance of faith, unity, and national purpose in public life. His remarks highlighted the enduring role of religious freedom as a foundational American principle and reaffirmed the value of interfaith engagement in strengthening both domestic cohesion and international partnerships.
Kurdistan Region’s Record of Protecting Religious Diversity
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has long served as a refuge for displaced and persecuted communities across the region. During periods of crisis, particularly following ISIS violence, the Region hosted more than one million displaced persons and worked to ensure their safety and dignity.
The KRG continues to advance policies that promote interfaith dialogue, minority rights, and institutional protections for freedom of religion or belief. These efforts contribute directly to social cohesion, long-term stability, and regional resilience.
Strengthening International Cooperation on Shared Values
Engagement at both the IRF Summit and the National Prayer Breakfast reflects the Kurdistan Region’s broader efforts to strengthen partnerships grounded in dignity, tolerance, and mutual respect.
The KRG Representation in the United States will continue to engage with U.S. policymakers, faith leaders, and civil society partners to advance religious freedom, accountability, and inclusive governance as essential components of sustainable peace.
