IARF: International Association for Religious Freedom

IARF: International Association for Religious Freedom Bringing together liberal religious communities and individuals since 1900.

The International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF, http://iarf.net/) is a broadly interfaith religious community. Its central aim is to network and cooperate globally for freedom and diversity of religion and belief, for mutual respect and brotherhood, benevolence, charity... and peace. It's history spanning over a century, the IARF has almost 100 affiliated member groups in over 30 countr

ies, representing a wide range of faith traditions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Shintoism and Sikhism, among others. The association, the world's first truly interfaith organization, holds NGO "consultative status" with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

The International Association for Religious Freedom is a global community where people of every faith — and none — come ...
20/08/2026

The International Association for Religious Freedom is a global community where people of every faith — and none — come together in open dialogue, mutual respect, and shared action.

If you believe that understanding begins with listening, you belong here.

Become a member → https://iarf.net/membership-in-iarf/

Stand with the Yezidis — IARF Speaks Up for Religious FreedomSince the 2014 genocide, Yezidis have endured ongoing perse...
19/08/2026

Stand with the Yezidis — IARF Speaks Up for Religious Freedom

Since the 2014 genocide, Yezidis have endured ongoing persecution, discrimination, and a complete absence of legal protection in Iraq. A recent shift in Dutch asylum policy now classifies Iraq as “safe,” resulting in the widespread rejection of asylum claims from Yezidis.
IARF is taking action. We are supporting young Yezidis in the Netherlands and Germany as they challenge this policy.

Peter Le Poole of the Dutch Chapter of IARF shares:
“On August 3rd I attended ceremonies in the Hague and Heerlen commemorating the tragic Yazidi genocide of twelve years ago. For more than six months I have been helping young Yazidis lobby for a change in Dutch asylum policy so they will not be returned to Iraq, where they face hate speech, threats, and the denial of a normal life. I hope very much they will succeed. I have come to know quite a few of them; they have become friends, and we embrace. It feels good to stand beside them and to be one with them.”

Religious freedom is not a privilege — it is a fundamental human right. IARF has defended it at the United Nations since 1955, and we stand with the Yezidis today.

Join us for an inspiring online lecture: "A Rebellion of the Mind – The Birth of Free Religion in 19th-Century Germany" ...
18/08/2026

Join us for an inspiring online lecture: "A Rebellion of the Mind – The Birth of Free Religion in 19th-Century Germany" with Pascal Schilling, Minister of the Free Religious Congregation in Offenbach am Main and Chair of Europe and Middle East Region of the IARF
- Sunday, 23 August 2026 | 15:00 UTC | Online
Explore how Enlightenment ideals sparked a radical religious movement that championed reason, personal freedom, and tolerance — and paved the way for the IARF today.
- Free to attend for IARF members (registration required: https://iarf.net/network/courses/63 )

Every religion has its spiritual centre. When many come together — as in the IARF — we can sense a deeper, shared myster...
17/08/2026

Every religion has its spiritual centre. When many come together — as in the IARF — we can sense a deeper, shared mystery that unites us all.
May the spiritual drive of the International Association for Religious Freedom live in each of us as we shape the years ahead with confidence.
— Manfred J. Paul & Andrew C. Clark

The Bektashi Order of Macedonia is part of the global Bektashi Order — an esoteric Sufi tradition of Islam that traces i...
13/08/2026

The Bektashi Order of Macedonia is part of the global Bektashi Order — an esoteric Sufi tradition of Islam that traces its roots to 13th-century Anatolia.
Its mission is the inner, spiritual path: guiding individuals toward the realization of the oneness of God.
What makes the Bektashi path distinct?
• Religious rites take place in tekkes (lodges) rather than conventional mosques
• They celebrate unique holidays such as Sultan Nevruz
• They do not typically observe the Ramadan fast
• Their theology is beautifully syncretic — blending Sufi Islam with deep reverence for Ali and the Twelve Imams, alongside local customs
This year marks a special milestone: the 37th Congress in the history of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) will be hosted by the Bektashi community in Albania.
A living tradition of spiritual openness and coexistence.

Join the International Association for Religious Freedom!Religious liberals standing in solidarity for freedom, respect ...
12/08/2026

Join the International Association for Religious Freedom!
Religious liberals standing in solidarity for freedom, respect & peace across faiths.
Become part of the global movement → iarf.net

Omnism is not “pick whatever feels good and ignore the rest.”It is a serious philosophical stance: that a spark of divin...
11/08/2026

Omnism is not “pick whatever feels good and ignore the rest.”
It is a serious philosophical stance: that a spark of divine wisdom shines in every authentic religious tradition — and that recognizing this is the most powerful antidote to dogmatism and religious fanaticism.
Instead of claiming one path owns the absolute truth, Omnism invites us to look for the light that appears across traditions, while still respecting the depth and integrity of each. It does not dilute religion. It refuses to weaponize it.
In a world still torn by “my truth vs. your truth,” Omnism offers a quieter, wiser alternative: the divine is larger than any single system, and humility before that mystery is itself a spiritual practice.
What do you think — can we honor the wisdom in many traditions without falling into shallow syncretism?

Religious minorities around the world still face discrimination and persecution.Join the International Association for R...
06/08/2026

Religious minorities around the world still face discrimination and persecution.
Join the International Association for Religious Freedom and help amplify their voices through global advocacy and solidarity.
Every voice counts. Join us: iarf.net

Twelve years ago, on August 3, 2014, ISIS launched its coordinated assault on Sinjar, Iraq — the beginning of the genoci...
05/08/2026

Twelve years ago, on August 3, 2014, ISIS launched its coordinated assault on Sinjar, Iraq — the beginning of the genocide against the Yazidi people.
Thousands were killed. Thousands more — especially women and children — were abducted, enslaved, and subjected to unimaginable violence. Entire communities were uprooted. Mass graves still scar the land. Thousands remain missing. Many survivors continue to live in displacement, waiting for justice, safe return, and the recovery of their loved ones.
We remember the victims. We stand with the survivors. We honor their resilience. And we renew the call: never again must mean never again — with real accountability, recognition, and support for the Yazidi community.

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Essex Hall 1-6 Essex Street
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WC2R3HY

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+31641744951

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