a Conversation

Building Bridges of Faith & Freedom | LYNC Interview with Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi

In this episode of LYNC Interview, host Jessica Eturralde sits down with Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi, Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers and Commissioner for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

Dr. Elsanousi shares his personal journey growing up in a devout Muslim family, his vision for building multi-faith dialogue, and how grassroots efforts combined with international diplomacy can foster lasting peace and religious freedom.

✨ Topics include:

+ What inspires Dr. Elsanousi’s work in global religious freedom
+ A powerful story of advocacy in Uzbekistan
+ The role of women and youth in peacebuilding
+ How multi-faith collaboration strengthens democracy and resilience
+ What faith leaders can do when dialogue feels impossible

📍 Whether you're a policy maker, faith leader, or peacebuilder, this conversation will leave you inspired and equipped to build bridges across deep differences.

📌 Watch, like, share, and subscribe to LYNC for more conversations that promote religious freedom, social cohesion, and multifaith collaboration.

🔔 Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/@LYNCommunity
🎧 Also available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: https://lync-radio.captivate.fm/
📖 Learn more at: https://lyncommunity.org

About the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers: https://www.peacemakersnetwork.org/

View the USCIRF 2024 Report: https://www.uscirf.gov/

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📢 Episode Summary:

In this episode of LYNC INTERVIEW, host Jessica Eturralde sits down with Carter Brown, Project Manager for the Covenantal Pluralism Initiative in South Florida and Pastor at Cross Bridge Brickell Church in Miami. Carter shares his journey of building meaningful multi-faith relationships, particularly with Dr. Abdul Hamid Samra, Imam and Director of Religious Services at the Islamic Center of Greater Miami.

Together, their communities have moved from dialogue to collaborative engagement, leading to the first-ever multi-faith picnic and ongoing interfaith discussions. Carter speaks candidly about navigating theological differences while fostering genuine friendships, the challenges of overcoming fear and misconceptions, and how these connections have strengthened his congregation’s faith and mission.

🎙️ Key Takeaways:
✔ Multi-Faith Engagement Begins with Relationships – Carter’s journey started with a simple lunch with Imam Samra, evolving into deep interfaith collaborations.
✔ Fear Should Not Be a Barrier – Christians often hesitate to engage with Muslims, but Carter emphasizes that truth wins and engagement fosters love, not compromise.
✔ Jesus Calls Us to Love Our Neighbors – Cross Bridge Church recognizes their Muslim neighbors as true neighbors and actively seeks to love and understand them.
✔ Cultural Awareness & Courage Strengthen Faith – Multi-faith engagement has helped Carter’s congregation become bolder in sharing their faith, more aware of cultural dynamics, and more mission-driven.
✔ Practical Initiatives Can Foster Understanding – The multi-faith picnic created a welcoming space for Muslims and Christians to connect, share food, and celebrate community, leading to new efforts like public movie nights for neighborhood engagement.

🎉 Looking Ahead:
🚀 The second Multi-Faith Picnic is scheduled for April 26th, hosted this time at Cross Bridge Church—continuing the tradition of mutual hospitality and interfaith understanding.

🙏 Final Thought from Carter Brown:
“Multi-faith work starts with prayer—asking God to help us see people as He does and walk where He calls us to go.”

🔗 Watch the full episode now: [Insert YouTube link]

#LYNCInterview #CovenantalPluralism #FaithAndDiversity #ReligiousFreedom #InterfaithDialogue #LoveYourNeighbor

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Guest: @NadineMaenza President of the @IRFsecretariat , Former Chair @USCIRF09
Host: Jessica Eturralde

Join Jessica Eturralde as she engages with Nadine Maenza, a leading advocate for religious freedom, in this insightful episode of LYNC INTERVIEW. They explore strategies for advancing religious freedom through advocacy and collaboration, reflect on challenges and triumphs in Uzbekistan, and discuss the global movement for religious liberty.

**0:00** – **Introduction**
Jessica introduces the episode's focus on religious freedom advocacy, relationship-building, and trust.

**0:42** – **Guest Introduction**
Jessica introduces Nadine Maenza, highlighting her leadership roles and extensive on-the-ground experience in advancing international religious freedom.

**1:20** – **Dialogue in Uzbekistan**
Maenza reflects on her assessment (along with other experts invited to visit the country specifically for the delegation) in Uzbekistan in 2024, discussing how advocacy and trust-building created meaningful partnerships with government officials, civil society, and religious leaders.

**5:16** – **Insight into Cooperative Engagement**
Maenza explains the importance of constructive dialogue, tailored recommendations, and collaborative engagement for fostering social cohesion and religious freedom. She shares a personal perspective of addressing sensitive issues with government leaders and the value of balancing public and private advocacy efforts.

**5:45** – **A Case for Advocacy and Relational Diplomacy**
Maenza discusses the importance of fostering cohesive societies and advocating for all religious communities, emphasizing the strength of collective action among minority groups.

**12:00** – **Lessons Learned from Working as USCIRF Chair**
Exploring the complementary roles of advocates raising awareness and builders implementing on-the-ground solutions to advance freedom of religion and belief.

**13:57** – **Call to Action**
Nadine encourages listeners to get involved in the religious freedom movement through advocacy, building, research, and/or amplifying stories of success and persecution.

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**Resources Mentioned:**
- **Report:** *Assessment of Religious Freedom in Uzbekistan: Progress and Perspectives* – [Read Here] https://lyncommunity.org/report/assessment-of-religious-freedom-in-uzbekistan/
- **IRF Secretariat Website:** Visit: https://irfsecretariat.org
- **IRF Roundtable Website:** visit: https://irfroundtable.org

Follow Nadine on Twitter (X) @NadineMaenza

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**Connect with Us:**
If you enjoyed today’s program, please like, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and share this episode on your social media to spread the message of religious freedom. For more stories, case studies, and resources, visit [lyncommunity.org](https://lyncommunity.org).

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**Thank You:**
Thank you, Nadine Maenza, for your dedication to fostering freedom, collaboration, and understanding worldwide! Your insights inspire us to build a better future together.

In this episode of LYNC INTERVIEW, Dr. Eva Witesman from BYU’s Marriott School of Business explores how businesses can transcend profit-driven motives to become active players in fostering social impact, advancing religious freedom, and building resilient communities. She delves into the complexities of business ethics, including the challenges of addressing child labor in global supply chains, highlighting the importance of socially responsible solutions.

Highlights & Timestamps
[00:00 - 01:25] Introduction
Host Jessica Eturralde introduces Dr. Eva Witesman, professor at BYU's Marriott School of Business, and sets the stage for a discussion on how businesses can go beyond profits to foster social impact and religious freedom.

[01:26 - 04:45] Defining Religious Freedom in Business
Dr. Witesman explores how religious freedom intersects with corporate culture, emphasizing the importance of creating inclusive workspaces where employees can express their whole selves.

[04:46 - 08:15] The Role of Corporations as Social Actors
Corporations are not just economic entities—they are public and social spaces, says Dr. Witesman. She discusses how businesses can use their influence to promote religious pluralism and shape public discourse.

[08:16 - 13:40] Addressing the Complexities of Child Labor
Dr. Witesman delves into the ethical challenges businesses face in global supply chains, particularly child labor. She explains how simplistic solutions often lead to unintended consequences, such as pushing families into greater vulnerability, and advocates for holistic approaches.

[13:41 - 18:30] Bridging Civil Society and Business for Global Challenges
The conversation shifts to collaboration between businesses, NGOs, and governments. Dr. Witesman underscores the need for intersectoral dialogue to address pressing global issues like religious freedom and social cohesion.

[18:31 - 23:15] Examples of Businesses Driving Positive Change
Dr. Witesman shares real-world examples of corporations that have successfully aligned their operations with moral and ethical values, demonstrating how business ethics can drive peacebuilding and social impact.

[23:16 - 27:45] Markets as Tools for Public Good
The discussion highlights how markets, when designed ethically, can reduce poverty, promote peace, and address societal challenges while respecting cultural and religious diversity.

[27:46 - 32:10] Practical Steps for Businesses to Engage
Dr. Witesman provides actionable recommendations for businesses looking to integrate religious freedom and pluralism into their operations, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement and value-driven leadership.

[32:11 - 35:50] Closing Reflections
Dr. Witesman reflects on the transformative potential of businesses when they embrace their role as moral actors. Jessica wraps up the conversation by encouraging viewers to rethink the role of corporations in fostering global change.

Links & Resources
Watch the full episode: LYNC INTERVIEW Episode 5
Visit our website for more episodes: LYNC Community
Learn more about Dr. Eva Witesman: BYU Marriott School of Business

The Grand Bargain of Religious Freedom and Religious Responsibility w/Dr. Dennis Hoover

In this episode of LYNC INTERVIEW, host Jessica Eturralde sits down with Dr. Dennis Hoover, Senior Fellow at Love Your Neighbor Community and at the Institute for Global Engagement, and Editor-in-Chief of The Review of Faith & International Affairs.

Dr. Hoover explores themes from his recent speech in Doha, Qatar, titled "The Grand Bargain of Religious Freedom and Religious Responsibility" where he examines the balance between religious freedom and responsibility.

Through a compelling case study on the Mennonite and Amish communities in the U.S., Dr. Hoover discusses how these groups have maintained high levels of religious freedom while upholding social responsibility through law-abiding behavior, economic contributions, and humanitarian work. He highlights the essential “grand bargain” that both governments and religious groups must honor—engaging with mutual respect, making reasonable accommodations, and sharing responsibility for the common good.

Tune in to hear Dr. Hoover’s insights on creating a sustainable environment for religious freedom, the role of governments in protecting minority rights, and the importance of covenantal pluralism in fostering mutual respect and social cohesion.

🔗 Link to Dr. Hoover’s full written article: https://globalengage.org/portico/the-grand-bargain-of-religious-freedom-and-religious-responsibility-the-mennonite-example/

🌐 For more information on religious freedom building, visit: lyncommunity.org

Topics Discussed:

_Balancing religious freedom with social responsibility
_Case study: Mennonite and Amish communities
_The role of governments in supporting religious freedom
_The impact of religious repression on society
_How covenantal pluralism supports sustainable freedom

Links:
Read Seiple’s Op Ed: https://religionnews.com/2023/01/25/advocates-and-builders-advancing-religious-freedom-together/

Learn more about the two-day civil society program taking place in Berlin, Germany Oct 8 - 10 in connection with The 2024 International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief: https://irfsecretariat.org/berlin-program/#

Guest: Dr. Chris Seiple, Senior Fellow at Love Your Neighbor Community (LYNC), Head of Sagestone Group

Introduction: In this episode of LYNC INTERVIEW, host Jessica Eturralde interviews Dr. Chris Seiple, who speaks on the vital connection between religious freedom and national security, focusing on how protecting religious rights can promote peace and mitigate extremism. The conversation concludes with recommendations for the 2024 Ministerial Conference in Berlin.

[MAIN TOPICS]

Religious Freedom and National Security:
Dr. Seiple highlights that religious freedom isn't just a moral imperative but also a practical solution for peace. When people protect those with different beliefs, they ensure mutual security, fostering stability and attracting foreign investment.

Restrictive Policies and Their Consequences:
Policies that repress religious groups, even with good intentions, can fuel extremism. Dr. Seiple explains how blanket repression of entire religious communities often alienates those who could otherwise help prevent radicalization.

Key Concept: Repression leads to resentment, while inclusion fosters peace. Working with religious leaders within communities can counteract extremist narratives.

Role of Religious Leaders in Peacebuilding:
Religious leaders are often trusted more than politicians in many societies. However, they must balance maintaining credibility with both their community and the government.

Challenges: Leaders must navigate the pressures from both sides—aligning with the government may weaken their trust with the public, while appearing to side with extremists can make them a government target.

The Importance of Building Trust:
Dr. Seiple shares examples from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, where LYNC has brought religious leaders and government officials together through cross-cultural religious literacy programs. These efforts foster dialogue, trust, and practical actions to address grievances and prevent extremism.

Key Concept: “Talk, trust, and tangible actions” form the process that moves from self-interest to lasting peace.

Complexity of Mitigating Extremism Locally:
Dr. Seiple underscores that preventing extremism on the ground can be as complex as maintaining relationships in a marriage or family. Understanding people’s diverse perspectives requires patience and active effort.

Key Concept: "Mirror imaging" is a natural human tendency—projecting our own thoughts and values onto others. This is why it’s vital to engage communities in their own language and context, loving them as "neighbors" in a way that makes sense to them.

The Power of Trust:
In these complex dynamics, trust plays a pivotal role. Local religious leaders may not fully trust each other, but they trust the outsiders who facilitate dialogue.

Key Concept: It’s about creating a safe space for open communication between the government and religious communities, helping to bridge gaps in trust.

Religious Freedom and Marriage Analogy:
Dr. Seiple uses an analogy to emphasize understanding in international relations, comparing it to a marriage: the moment you realize the person next to you is not you. In both relationships and diplomacy, understanding the other's perspective is crucial.

The Upcoming Berlin Ministerial Conference:
Dr. Seiple provides recommendations for the October 2024 Ministerial Conference in Berlin, emphasizing the need to include majority world voices in discussions about religious freedom and national security.

Key Points: Religious persecution isn't just a "foreign" issue—it’s happening globally, including in places like Europe, where extremist groups are on the rise. Addressing grievances and including minority communities in a country's larger story of citizenship can prevent oppression and extremism.

The Threat of Fascism and Communism in Germany:
Dr. Seiple references the resurgence of groups like AFD (Alternative for Germany) and BSW (Communist sympathizers) in recent German elections, illustrating how extremism can re-emerge even in societies with histories of overcoming oppression.

Closing Thoughts: Dr. Seiple calls for humility and equal platforming during global discussions on religious freedom. He advocates for the majority world (Central Asia, Africa, Latin America) to share their own perspectives on religious freedom and extremism, rather than being lectured by Western nations.

Conclusion: LYNC, the IRF Secretariat, and Templeton Religion Trust are holding events from October 8–10, 2024, in Berlin to facilitate these vital conversations. Visit lyncommunity.org for more information and resources on religious freedom.