Policy Advocacy

URI is a non-governmental organization (NGO) with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
MOU signing between URI and WPPS

URI works at the policymaking level in partnership with UN agencies, urging lawmakers and governments to recognize the need for peace, justice, and protection of basic human rights.

Examples of our work in this Action Area:

  • The United Religions Initiative at the United Nations CC, based at the United Nations in New York, provides an ongoing URI presence at the UN about topics like nuclear disarmament, sustainability, women's rights, and more.
  • When the governor of Tennessee (USA) stated that he did not want refugees to resettle in his state, the Northeast Tennessee Chapter URI Cooperation Circle joined a chorus of voices to express their support for refugee rights. They published an advertisement in their local newspaper and said, “Let us all speak out against religious, racial and ethnic animosity and encourage all people to be compassionately welcoming.” A few months later, the governor reversed his position.
  • Three German URI Cooperation Circles, along with ten other interfaith institutions, signed and delivered to their mayor a statement affirming freedom of religion and requesting equal treatment of followers of different traditions.
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PCSW&HR Participation to Express Solidarity & Peace Prayer at Peace Prayer Service in Memory of Late Shahbaz Bhatti Federal Minister for Minorities Rights and Chairman Minorities Alliance Pakistan

Community Building
Education
Human Rights
Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue
Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation
Policy Advocacy

A delegation of Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights comprised by the Chairman Mr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori, Secretary General Mr. Shakeel Younis and Executive Member Mr. Muhammad Usman specially participated in the Peace Prayer and memorial service to express the solidarity by the Muslim members of Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights with the Catholic Fathers & Sisters on the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti. To express the solidarity the delegation let the candles and also offered the peace prayer as per Muslim traditions and also participated in the prayer led by Rev. Sr. Marie Cecile. The delegation also attributed the efforts of Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti for the protection of minorities’ rights, peace and interfaith harmony in Pakistan

'Today, I am a Muslim too!' rally in support of Interfaith Solidarity held Sunday 3/6/2011 Times Square, New York City

North America
Community Building
Human Rights
Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue
Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation
Policy Advocacy
Women

The Muslim Public Affairs Council and the Islamic Society of North America today welcomed a speech by Denis McDonough, President Barack Obama’s Deputy National Security Adviser, on Sunday, March 6th.

Ahead of Rep. Peter King’s (R-NY) controversial hearing on “radicalization within the Muslim American community,” McDonough’s recognition of Muslim Americans as part of the “American family” and focus on the importance of community partnerships are an important message for all Americans.

The speech, a first-of-its-kind by the Obama administration in a mosque, outlined the important roles all Americans of faith are playing in contributing to a vibrant pluralistic society and in keeping our nation safe.