Cordoba Caliphate, Flourishing Tolerance or a Mirage?
The Caliphate of Cordoba, formed in the 10th century region of al-Andalus (Islamic Spain) is often considered as one of the brightest examples of relative religious tolerance and cultural flourishing. Under the rule of Caliph Abd al-Rahman III followed by his son, al Hakam II, Muslims, Christians, and Jews coexisted in a society that contemporary […]
The Lotus Temple in Delhi; A House of Worship for All: A Model of Shared Religious Space
In a city as religiously and culturally diverse as Delhi, the Lotus Temple stands out because it was built to welcome everyone. The Lotus Temple was opened to the public in December 1986. Nine doors provide access for visitors to its large central prayer hall, a place where there is no cantor, clergy, priest, pulpit, […]
Jacqueline Isaac: Survivor-Centered Advocacy, Religious Freedom, and Civic Courage in the Defense of Persecuted Communities
In 2015, Jacqueline Isaac appeared before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee to testify about ISIS’s attacks on religious minorities in Iraq and Syria. She did not speak only as a lawyer or policy advocate. She spoke as someone who had traveled repeatedly to Northern Iraq with Roads of Success, met displaced families, visited survivors […]
From Religious Bloodshed to Religious Coexistence: Securing Freedom of Belief: Comparative Lessons from Five Pluralistic Societies
France was not always a free country when it came to religion and belief. During the late 16th century, the country was torn apart by the French Wars of Religion between Catholics and Protestants. In cities like Paris, neighbors who had once lived side by side grew suspicious of one another, their differences inflamed by […]
Humanist Organizations in the United Kingdom and France: Structures, Activities, and Lessons for Iran
Abstract This case study examines the development, structure, and activities of humanist organizations in the United Kingdom and France, focusing on their role in promoting secular ethics, social cohesion, and freedom of belief. By analyzing groups such as Humanists UK and Union Rationaliste, the study highlights how non-religious communities organize, advocate, and contribute to public […]
1992 Uhuru Park Mama’s Strikes: The Power of Motherhood to Serve Civic Rights
When the Kenyan police force attacked a group of seemingly defenseless elderly rural mothers gathered in Uhuru Park, they may have probably assumed nothing could be easier than throwing them out. They had never been involved in social or political activities before. Their sons were in prison for attempting to bring a substantial change to […]
Oleg Sentsov
Introduction The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine started back in February 2014 due to Russia’s invasion and occupation of Crimea. By March of the same year, Vladimir Putin invaded Crimea. He took control of the peninsula with the support of paramilitary groups and troops, justifying his decision as a way to protect Russian ethnicity. […]
Political prisoners: The case of Belarus
Following the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the declaration of independence by the Soviet Union republics, there was a sense of optimism regarding the establishment of democratic and liberal states by the newly independent nations.[1] It was widely believed that the principles of the rule of law, equality, and human rights would usher in […]
Government Hack Attacks: Prevention, Protection, and Proper Response
This training course is specifically designed for users and activists who are active on the internet and are at risk of government hacking by the Islamic Republic due to the nature of their activities. This course can serve as a starting point for raising public awareness and attracting the attention of activists, human rights defenders, […]
Trial of Hamid Nouri, Nayereh Ansari
In July 1998, 120 countries signed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court at the FAO headquarters in Rome. This intricate and sophisticated treaty was drafted to establish the International Criminal Court, which is endowed with the authority to investigate and prosecute the most egregious cases of human rights violations that remain unresolved by […]