Peacemakers Network Executive Director Appointed to Join the US Commission on International Religious Freedom

Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi was appointment a Commission to the USCIFRF

President Joe Biden appointed Peacemakers Network Executive Director Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi to become a Commissioner to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. The White House announced his appointment on 26 June 2024.

FCA hosts the Secretariat Network for Religious and Tradition Peacemakers (Peacemakers Network) and was instrumental in its creation in 2013. We work together every day to enhance the capacity and strengthen the engagement of religious and traditional actors in peacebuilding and peace mediation.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIFRF) is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act that monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad. USCIRF uses international standards to monitor religious freedom violations globally, and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and Congressional leaders of both political parties. 

Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi is the Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers. He previously served as Interfaith and Government Relations Director at the Islamic Society of North America. Elsanousi was also a member of the Taskforce for the U.S. Department of State on Religion and Foreign Policy, where he contributed recommendations to the Secretary of State to enhance engagement between the U.S. government, civil society, and religious actors. He frequently participated in the State Department’s speakers’ program, visiting U.S. embassies worldwide.

Elsanousi was the Principal Coordinator for developing the standards and protocols for safeguarding the rights of Christian, Jewish, and other religious minorities in Muslim-majority communities. This resulted in the adoption of the Marrakech Declaration, the most recognised Islamic theological document advocating religious freedom.

Elsanousi founded Faiths4Vaccines, a pivotal campaign with prominent faith actors in the U.S. to support the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of advancing equitable vaccine distribution and combating vaccine hesitancy.

Elsanousi is the founding Executive Committee Member of Shoulder to Shoulder and co-chair of the Multi-Faith Advisory Council to the United Nations. He also serves on the boards of directors and trustees for numerous interfaith organizations, including but not limited to the Center for Interreligious Dialogue at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City and the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies.

Elsanousi holds a bachelor’s degree in Law, a Master’s degree in Law, and a Doctorate in Law and Society from Indiana University School of Law.