Religious Freedom Featured at Kurdistan’s First National Prayer Breakfast

On April 22-24, the first-ever Kurdistan National Prayer Breakfast (KNPB) was held in Erbil, bringing together senior government officials, religious leaders, and civil society voices from within Iraq and abroad. The event—attended by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister, KRG President, and other officials—reflected the Kurdistan Region’s desire to be recognized as a place where peaceful coexistence is possible among diverse religious communities—including Muslim, Yazidi, Kaka’i, Mandaean, and several Christian traditions. The goal is to enable members of these communities to live and contribute without fear.

As part of the program, RFI’s Jeremy Barker, in coordination with the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit, organized two panel discussions focused on religious freedom. The first panel highlighted the importance of cultural and religious heritage in sustaining communities, especially in the face of displacement, discrimination, and targeted violence. The second examined how institutions—governmental and civil society—can play a role in protecting the right to religious belief and practice. Ambassador Robert Rehak, Chair of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance, opened the session. RFI’s Miles Windsor, serving as a strategic advisor to Ambassador Rehak, contributed to several engagements during the week.

The extended program provided opportunities for participants to hear from religious leaders and international experts, and to explore historic Christian and Yazidi sites and meet with community members who continue to preserve their faith traditions despite extreme challenges.

The KNPB offered space for cultivating relationships and dialogue. Whether it becomes a catalyst for sustained religious freedom efforts remains to be seen—but it is a step worth noting.

Media coverage of the KNPB included: