May 5, 2020 The 21Wilberforce Global Freedom Center launched with an inaugural virtual event: INVISIBLE PEOPLE: The Coronavirus Impact on Millions Persecuted for Their Faith and Beliefs. President and founder, Randel Everett, hosted conversations with survivor activists Archbishop Ben Kwashi and Mariam Ibraheem along with thought leaders Judge Ken Starr and USCIRF Vice Chair Gayle Manchin. If you missed the …
MAY 4 Virtual Event: Invisible People-Coronavirus & the Persecuted
April 5, 2020 You are invited to join us for this free Virtual Event hosted by the 21Wilberforce Global Freedom Center on Mon. May 4th at 7:30 pm ET The COVID-19 pandemic may be socially isolating us, but let’s not allow it to stop us from speaking up for our persecuted brothers and sisters while the pandemic is making it …
First “Virtual” IRF Roundtable Hosted By 21Wilberforce Freedom Center
April 9, 2020 Given that we are battling the COVID-19 pandemic, and social distancing and sheltering-in-place guidelines are in effect, face-to-face events have been cancelled or shifted from in-person to virtual gatherings. 21Wilberforce offered to collaborate with the International Religious Freedom Roundtable to convene their regular weekly meetings as Virtual Roundtables within the 21Wilberforce Freedom Center. Several months ago the …
21Wilberforce Joins Coptic Solidarity Take Action campaign for Ramy Kamel, Coptic Christian activist
March 30, 2020 Ramy Kamel is a prominent Coptic human rights activist who has reported on the mistreatment of Copts in Egypt and their displacement from their homes by the Egyptian government. He has been the primary source of information for organizations and individuals around the world working tirelessly to improve religious freedom in Egypt. On November 23rd, Mr. Kamel …
Religious Persecution 75 Years after the Holocaust
February 6, 2020 21Wilberforce Founder and President, Dr. Randel Everett, challenged those attending and watching via livestream yesterday’s powerful program, “Religious Persecution 75 Years after the Holocaust” to listen to stories of oppression and to speak out against the atrocities of persecution. Our organization partnered with the United States Memorial Holocaust Museum on a joint event whose goal was to …
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS: A Look Back at 2019
December 22, 2019 In 2019 21Wilberforce advocated for, challenged, and empowered people of faith to support persecuted communities, challenge religious repression, and expand religious freedom globally. Local and international activists were empowered at the largest international religious freedom conference ever. Over a thousand leaders from more than 100 countries were able to build relationships, share resources, and collaborate on best …
21Wilberforce Lauds Bipartisan Congressional Support for USCIRF Legislation
December 17, 2019 Yesterday, the U.S. Senate released updated amendments to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2019. Senators Dick Durbin, Bob Menendez, Jim Risch and Marco Rubio and their staffs worked diligently and collaboratively to resolve differences and complete the work before the pending deadline for expiration. The Commission was established as part of …
21Wilberforce Director of Policy & Coalitions Defends USCIRF Reauthorization
December 10, 2019 Three million Uighur Muslims are estimated to be detained in Chinese concentration camps. Thousands of Yazidis, Christians, and others live on the edge of extinction in their ancient homelands in Iraq and Syria after ISIS’s genocidal rampage against them. Prisoners of conscience around the world are incarcerated for their beliefs, actions, or peaceful advocacy in support of …
21Wilberforce Joins #GivingTuesday Global Campaign
November 26, 2019 #GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform the world on December 3rd and every day. It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of …
Lebanon and Waco Church announce 21Wilberforce Global Impact Partnership
November 19, 2019 Christ Evangelical Baptist Church in Lebanon and First Baptist Church in Waco, Texas are now partners through the 21Wilberforce Global Impact program. FBWaco will have the opportunity to help fund some vocational training that Christ Evangelical Baptist church is doing with Syrian refugees. FBChurch Waco announced the partnership on November 3rd, the International Day of Prayer for …
21Wilberforce launches Freedom Center for IRF Advocacy
October 19, 2019 21Wilberforce unveiled The Freedom Center, an online advocacy hub, with tools and information that can be used to learn and engage in the defense and advancement of global freedom of religion or belief. Anyone ( passionate individuals, grassroots activists, faith groups, NGOs, and networks) who wants to become more active in raising awareness and strengthening the voices …
VP Pence meets Randel Everett and religious freedom advocates to discuss China’s abuses
October 18, 2019 Vice President Mike Pence met with an interfaith coalition of religious freedom advocates recently that included 21Wilberforce President, Randel Everett, to discuss what the United States can do to hold China to account as it continues to persecute and abuse religious believers of all stripes. At the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., Pence and other …
Frank Wolf Freedom Award presented to Archbishop Benjamin & Dr. Gloria Kwashi
October 18, 2019 21Wilberforce recently presented the second annual Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Award to Archbishop Benjamin and Dr. Gloria Kwashi of Jos, Nigeria. Named for Congressman Frank Wolf who has worked tirelessly for decades to promote international religious freedom and later served on staff with 21Wilberforce, the award was presented at a dinner held at Dallas Baptist University. …
Enduring Hope for Nigeria
January 8, 2019 The situation in Nigeria is complex. Religion is central to how Nigerians understand themselves. Thus, the protection of freedom of belief and religious rights — through the rule of law and inclusive governance — is critical to long-term stability in Nigeria. Nigeria is dealing with corruption, impunity and religious persecution. Two of the world’s top five deadliest …
21WILBERFORCE RELEASES PUBLICATION COMMEMORATING IRFA — One of the Most Significant U.S. Milestones in 1998
January 4, 2019 1998 was a momentous year. Osama bin Laden published fatwas declaring jihad against all Jews and crusaders, and Europeans agreed on a single currency. Also during that year, Google was founded; Apple Computer unveiled the iMac; Exxon and Mobil merged to create the world’s largest petroleum company; and the International Religious Freedom Act was enacted. This transformative …
Defending China’s Uyghur Population
December 4, 2018 Not everyone is an advocate, but everyone can be involved in advocacy. When a group of international scholars came together to speak as one voice against China’s mass internment of Uyghur Muslims and other minorities, they turned to 21Wilberforce to help frame and deliver their message. Over the last two years, the Chinese government has engaged in …