For decades, Georgia has faced unique challenges. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, countries like Georgia emerged as young states unprepared to navigate religious and cultural diversity issues. Seventy years of anti-religious Soviet propaganda, fueled by the KGB, left a legacy of suspicion and distrust toward religious and traditional differences. In Georgia, this legacy compounded other challenges: existential threats from external aggressors, economic hardship, and the mental weight of intolerance ingrained by previous regimes.
In the 1990s, during Georgia’s early democratic transition, we witnessed violent outbreaks against various religious movements, with incidents involving raids, destruction of religious literature, and abuse. Even our media struggled to cover these issues objectively, leaving minorities further marginalized. Yet, despite this turbulent start, Georgian society has shown resilience. Drawing on our rich history and the support of stronger allies, we began implementing crucial reforms, including creating a legislative framework that supports tolerance and coexistence.
However, laws alone are not enough. True societal change requires more than tolerance; it demands understanding. We must go beyond “putting up with” each other. We need to bridge the information gap about those who hold different beliefs, providing spaces where diverse individuals can connect, share their stories, and work together towards common goals. For years, certain groups in our society, like Protestant Christians, were stigmatized as traitors due to Soviet narratives. This perception began to shift in 2008, when my church was among the first to aid refugees during Russian aggression, revealing to society the commitment of religious minorities to national welfare.
We then realized the power of platforms for dialogue—not just to foster tolerance but to build trust. A few years ago, with the support of LYNC and its founder, Mr. Wade Kusack, the Institute for Global Engagement, and the Georgian government, as well as local religious leaders, we conducted three-day conferences to discuss freedom and social cohesion that could be advanced through relational diplomacy. This gathering included government officials, religious leaders, and human rights advocates and was open to both majority and minority voices. The event, covered by national media, has helped us to see one another’s struggles and aspirations more clearly. Personally, they have connected me to Georgia’s Muslim, Yazidi, and Jewish communities, giving me insights into their unique challenges and allowing me to share my own.
This journey is challenging, but it has officially begun. Recently, I heard Sheikh Al Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah, the Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace in the UAE, say, “We must be prisoners of hope.” We need to be open to learning from one another to create a more secure and inclusive future.
Changing deep-seated stereotypes will take time and effort. But reflecting on how far we have come in the last 20 years, there is every reason to remain hopeful. Together, through dialogue and shared commitment, we can build a society where every individual feels valued, respected, and free to live out their beliefs.
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