Defending Faith and Coexistence: Syrian Voices at the IRF Summit 2026

The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit 2026 was held in Washington, D.C., on February 2–3, bringing together global policymakers, faith leaders, human rights advocates, civil society organizations, and members of the international press to assess the state of religious freedom worldwide. Now in its sixth annual convening, the IRF Summit has established itself as a leading international platform for coordinated advocacy and strategic engagement on freedom of religion or belief.

In their opening remarks, IRF Summit Co-Chairs Ambassador Sam Brownback and Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett reaffirmed the Summit’s guiding principle, religious freedom for everyone, everywhere, all the time. They underscored the necessity of collective action across political, cultural, and religious boundaries, noting both areas of measurable progress and the persistent challenges confronting vulnerable communities worldwide. Their message emphasized that freedom of belief remains a foundational human right and a critical pillar for peaceful, stable, and prosperous societies.

Against this backdrop, the 2026 IRF Summit served as a vital forum for dialogue, partnership-building, and forward-looking policy discussion. Participants highlighted the growing importance of international cooperation, responsible media engagement, and the role of civil society in advancing religious freedom amid an increasingly complex global environment.

Syrian Voices at the IRF Summit 2026

A particularly notable contribution to the Summit was the participation of Syrian Christians for Peace in a dedicated roundtable focused on Syria’s future. The session featured Mirna Barq, President of Syrian Christians for Peace. Her participation brought critical attention to the realities facing faith communities inside Syria and the broader implications for post-conflict recovery.

Drawing on lived experience and community leadership, the roundtable emphasized the importance of religious coexistence, the protection of civil society, and the constructive role faith-based actors can play in Syria’s rebuilding process. Speakers stressed the urgent need for inclusive frameworks that preserve Syria’s pluralistic social fabric and support a sustainable, rights-based path toward national recovery.

“Syria’s recovery depends on uniting around a shared national vision rooted in coexistence, equal citizenship, dignity, and mutual respect.”

Mirna Barq

On the second day of the Summit, roundtable moderator Pastor Bob Roberts Jr., Co-Founder of Multi-Faith Neighbors Network (MFNN), asked Barq to share her views and insights on the situation in Syria. In response she delivered a compelling and heartfelt message, calling on all Syrians, regardless of faith, ethnicity, or background, to unite around a shared national vision. Emphasizing coexistence, equal citizenship, and mutual respect, Barq stressed that Syria’s recovery depends on building a common goal rooted in harmony, dignity, and collective responsibility. Her remarks reflect a clear appeal for solidarity and a renewed commitment to shaping a peaceful future for Syria.

Nadine Maenza, Co-Chair of the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtable, also emphasized that religious freedom in Syria must go beyond the right to worship. It must include equal citizenship, economic opportunity, and the ability for families to live with dignity in their homeland.

“Religious freedom means dignity, equality, and sustainable hope for Syria.”

Nadine Maenza

Drawing on her visits to Syria and initiatives such as agricultural projects in the Khabur Valley and interfaith efforts through the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network, she highlighted the vital connection between humanitarian support, social cohesion, and long-term stability. Her message was clear: true freedom requires both faith protection and human dignity.

Throughout the Summit, discussions consistently reinforced that religious freedom is not merely a matter of worship or belief, but a cornerstone of human dignity, social cohesion, and long-term peace. Participants emphasized that genuine religious freedom must extend beyond statements and resolutions to include tangible protections on the ground, particularly for communities facing systemic persecution.

A recurring theme was the need to translate political commitments into accountable action. Policymakers, faith leaders, and human rights advocates alike stressed that freedom of belief cannot be defended selectively; it must be upheld consistently, regardless of geography, faith identity, or political considerations. The visible presence of diverse religious communities, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Yazidis, and others, sent a clear message that interfaith solidarity is essential in confronting persecution and extremism.

The Summit also highlighted the responsibility of governments to integrate religious freedom into foreign policy frameworks without instrumentalizing faith. Participants called for stronger accountability mechanisms, increased support for local civil society actors, and more effective use of diplomatic tools to protect vulnerable religious and ethnic minorities.

From a regional perspective, Syria featured prominently in discussions on post-conflict societies. The protection of religious minorities, the rebuilding of trust among communities, and the safeguarding of freedom of conscience were repeatedly identified as prerequisites for any credible process of coexistence and national renewal. Speakers emphasized that religious freedom in such contexts is inseparable from broader efforts toward justice, inclusive governance, and civil peace.

Equally significant were the testimonies of survivors of persecution, whose voices served as a moral anchor throughout the Summit. Their experiences underscored that religious persecution is not an abstract concept, but a daily reality for millions around the world. Their message was clear: awareness must lead to action, and dialogue must result in protection.

Ultimately, the IRF Summit reaffirmed that religious freedom is a universal human right, one that concerns believers and non-believers alike. When freedom of belief is undermined, the foundations of pluralism, rule of law, and social stability are weakened. For Syria and the wider international community, the message from Washington was unequivocal: defending religious freedom is not optional; it is essential to peace, dignity, and a shared human future.