This program is a dynamic, ten-day training in the U.S. for 25 religious and government leaders from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, designed to enhance religious freedom and multi-faith cooperation. We bring together imams and Christian leaders who are multi-faith advocates in their communities and city officials involved in previous retreats to foster government understanding and support.
In Washington, D.C., participants will receive hands-on training from the IRF Secretariat on conducting inclusive roundtables. They’ll observe active discussions on religious freedom and visit diverse places of worship to expand their understanding of global religious practices.
The training concludes in Arizona, where participants learn to lead multi-faith retreats, moving from shared stories and perspectives to mutual respect and collaboration. This experience, grounded in respect for all faiths, prepares them to lead similar initiatives back home, aiming to build a united voice for stronger influence on societal and policy changes.
The Multi-faith Engagement Trainings and Roundtable initiative is a forward-thinking, ten-day immersive training program in the United States, specifically designed for 25 influential religious and government leaders from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. This transformative experience aims to foster religious freedom and multi-faith collaboration among communities in their home countries.
Our carefully selected cohort includes nine imams and nine Christian leaders of various denominations (Protestant, Orthodox, and Catholic), both men and women. These participants are familiar with our vision; they are alumni of our 2020/22 multi-faith retreat trainings, individuals who have exhibited virtues of pluralism, are actively committed to the practical application of religious freedom, and are recognized as multi-faith advocates in their locales. The training empowers these leaders to initiate and facilitate inclusive roundtable discussions, encompassing all religious groups — from different Islamic sects to registered and unregistered entities — and conduct national multi-faith retreats aimed at relationship building.
Additionally, the program welcomes key officials from the mayoral religious affairs departments of the participants’ cities. These officials’ involvement in our previous retreats has significantly elevated governmental awareness and trust in LYNC’s mission, fostering a more conducive environment for our in-country activities.
The training program commences in Washington, D.C., where the 25 participants will engage with the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Secretariat. This interactive session will equip them with practical skills in organizing and managing roundtable events, alongside mastering techniques for expert interaction and discussion facilitation.
Participants will delve into best practices and strategize their application in their unique settings. The hands-on learning is augmented by observational visits to active roundtables in Washington, D.C., offering a behind-the-scenes view of religious freedom discussions. Further enrichment comes from visiting diverse places of worship, including those unregistered in Kazakhstan, providing a broader understanding of these groups’ legitimacy and global operations.
The program culminates in Arizona with advanced training on orchestrating multi-faith retreats. Here, participants transition into trainers, fostering an environment of equally shared personal narratives, challenging perceptions, and nurturing mutual respect.
This initiative is particularly crucial in bridging gaps within the majority of Islamic sects and various Christian denominations. It acknowledges deep theological variances while promoting a respectful understanding of each other’s religious identities. The methodology, pioneered by Pastor Bob Roberts and Imam Mohamed Magid of MFNN, has successfully facilitated international unity between Christian and Muslim communities, with proven effectiveness in the U.S., Pakistan, and notably in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Our participants will evolve from beneficiaries to facilitators of multi-faith dialogues, embracing a commitment to engage, respect, and protect diverse religious identities. The objective is not to equate moral values but to empower leaders to champion multi-faith initiatives and roundtable discussions in their communities. Through strengthened interpersonal bonds and practical skills, the training will better equip the participants to present a cohesive voice capable of influencing policy, law, and societal norms for enduring systemic transformation.
Ultimately, the training is a cornerstone in laying a robust foundation of trust among varied faith leaders and their sects in Kazakhstan, fostering a unity that transcends individual beliefs and culminates in a more resilient and harmonious society.