LYNC INTERVIEW Elsanousi

Jessica: You are watching LYNC interview. I'm Jessica Eturralde. In a world increasingly divided by differences, how do we create lasting peace and understanding across faith communities? Today we'll hear from someone who has dedicated his life to that mission. mission. We are honored to welcome Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi global leader in peace building. Multifaith dialogue and a current commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Freedom. As the executive director of the Network for Religious and traditional peacemakers, Dr. Elsanousi bridges grassroots efforts with international initiatives to foster sustainable peace. Welcome, Dr. Elsanousi.

Dr. Elsanousi: Thank you.

Jessica: Dr. Elsanousi, you are known for bridging religious divides, advising on international religious freedom policy, and supporting grassroots peace efforts, and with a background

In Islamic law and Interreligious engagement, you combine theological insight with diplomatic skills, prevent conflict, and strengthen religious freedom worldwide. So to begin, may you share how your personal story and faith each shape the way you build religious freedom?

Dr. Elsanousi: Thank you so much and thank you to you Jessica, for this interview as well as of course to the LYNC audience. I'm familiar with LYNC the organization and the good work that you do.

So we definitely appreciate that. It's always I say that my personal. Upbringing and story shaped my way of not only thinking but also the way that I continue to engage in advancing and promoting religious freedom for everyone, everywhere all the times.

I grew up in, in a family that's very devout my faithful mother and fathers and siblings and the whole village that I was raised in, they were, are very committed believers. And I think that. Commitment and the believing in God and love of neighbor and all of that actually contributed significantly in my upbringing as well as in my interest in not only pursuing, I.

Theological studies, of course in Islamic faith, but also looking into how I can implement the teaching of the sacred of the scripture in term of extending and building bridges with others who are not necessarily affiliate with your own faith.

We have a clear teaching from the Islamic sources that telling us that we have to build bridges. We know that from our own teaching that if God wills, he would have brought he would have, made all of us in the same shape and the same language in the same culture and religions, but I.

For for God himself. That is he made us as different, right? And that is just to further know the science of God and his existence. And that's why all of these teachings actually helped me as I continue to pursue my education. I, as I continue to build bridges and and that basically developed to my interest in further working on this field of religious freedom and interfaith their lock.

Jessica: I see. Thank you for sharing that, Dr. Elsanousi. As someone with the builders approach, what has it been like to serve on us on an institution legally mandated for advocacy?

Dr. Elsanousi: I'm blessed to be serving on USCIRF right now - United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

It's a commission that's an independent. It is bipartisan. It is a commission that basically provide recommendations to policy makers to work with countries so that we can further advance and promote religious freedom. It is a challenging, of course to look into violation of religious freedom and to work with different countries around the world.

To help them, how they can improve religious freedom in their countries. In the same time, we also wanted to support those marginalized communities, those persecuted communities on the ground.

Transcript

Jessica: You are listening to LYNC Interview. I'm Jessica Eturralde. Building bridges across faith communities isn't always easy, but it can lead to unexpected friendships and deeper understanding. In this episode of LYNC Interview, we sit down with Carter Brown LYNC's Project manager for the Covenantal Pluralism Initiative in South Florida.

Pastor at Crossbridge Brickle Church in Miami, Carter shares his journey of engaging with a neighboring imam and the moss. He leads the challenges and breakthroughs along the way and how these multifaith relationships have shaped his congregation. Welcome Carter Brown. So last year, LYNC co-hosted the first ever multi-faith picnic with Crossbridge Brickle and the Islamic Center of Greater Miami.

I was fortunate to be able to attend that, and I recall how unique that was on the mosque grounds. Christians and Muslims gathered in a market style atmosphere and we shared delicious Mediterranean food and there were bouncy houses and even a petting zoo for the children. But that was not the first multi-faith discussion in Miami Between your church and attendees at the mosque.

The picnic, as I understand it was a result of a relationship that began a few years ago between yourself and Dr. Abdul Hamid Samra, the Imam and director of religious services at the mosque. So now, what initially motivated you to establish a relationship with a neighboring mosque and Imam Samra?

Carter: So I would say that it goes all the way back to my formation of faith when I became a Christian.

College and then felt called to be a pastor, which was surprising to me. But when God has a call on your life, you listen and follow. And when I felt called to be a pastor, I immediately like actually the next day changed my major from business to religion. I went to Florida State University and I studied and focused my religious studies on Islam primarily.

And that was because I felt called to to learn what other people believe is true. What other faith traditions hold so that I might be able to speak in and engage with love, those that are of another faith. If I'm going to commit my life to preaching and teaching that Christianity is the way, the truth and the life, how could I do it if I don't know what other people believe?

That started a journey for me of establishing relationships with people of other faith traditions. And so once I got connected with Wade Cusack, the founder of LYNC, he and his wife Helena started attending Crossbridge Brickle many years ago. We dreamed about partnerships in Miami, and a connection was made with myself and Imam Samra.

Where we had lunch together and that was brought together by Wade and we just started to connect and share stories of what it was like to lead congregations or be in the city of Miami with all of the different struggles and difficulties that it poses men of faith, even though our faith traditions are different.

It opened up a relationship that started from that lunch that blossomed into having dinner with our wives at each other's houses. And from there we decided to host an event at our office in downtown with Crossbridge. We, I spoke with Imam Samra and I said, listen, a lot of the concerns that you shared has just been the fear that it is to be Muslim in America.

The prejudice that happens. And I said, I would love to have the opportunity to host you where you could share your faith and you know your story. And we could have questions that our people from our church could ask you. Maybe they've never been able to ask questions of a Muslim neighbor or friend.

Certainly not an imam. And we held that event and it was really amazing. Just a time of conversation about 40 people attended. I think what established really on that event was neither myself nor Imam Samara believe in a unitarian view of faith and religion. I believe that the...

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]