ABOUT
The International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) is a charitable organization that works for religious freedom around the world. Founded in 1900, it is the oldest international group that promotes dialogue among religions.
WHO WE ARE
IARF includes organizations and individuals from five continents, 23 countries, and various religious traditions. IARF has chapters in nine countries.
WHAT WE DO
IARF provides information on barriers to religious freedom as well as briefings on spiritual practices through our newsletter and presentations.
We collaborate with other organizations involved with issues of religious freedom and promote discussion of action steps.
The U.S. chapter organizes conferences and events on issues of religious freedom to promote and facilitate interfaith dialogue.
IARF-US communicates regularly with its current and potential members, organizes at least one interfaith event per year, and actively participates in other events led by its allies. We also fundraise, convene conferences, and respond to instances of religious persecution through both public statements and public witness.
Our Mission
The U.S. Chapter of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) brings more than a century of experience working for interfaith justice towards a sustainable and peaceful world. By working collaboratively with diverse faith groups and individuals of conscience in the U.S., we promote and nurture inter-religious communication and understanding.
We build relationships across the globe by working in collaboration with our parent organization, IARF-International.
U.S. Chapter Board
George Garland, President
John Gubbings, Treasurer
Roy Kaplan
Stephen Schwichow
Kunihiko Terasawa
U.S. Chapter Advisors
Betsy Darr
Doris Hunter
Abhi Janamanchi
Kathy Matsui
Peter Richardson
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others, and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in teaching, practice, worship, and observance. —United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18
From the President
February 13, 2026
Dear IARF-US Members and Friends,
Our religious freedoms are under attack by the current Administration—and when working with conservative religious leaders, including Christian nationalists, it violated federal law by establishing a “Religious Liberty Commission” within the Department of Justice.
•Executive order: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/establishment-of-the-religious-liberty-commission/
The Interfaith Alliance, www.interfaithalliance.org, a diverse coalition of faith leaders, has filed a lawsuit this week against the Administration and the Religious Liberty Commission.
•In the Interfaith Alliance summary: “The legal challenge is being brought by Interfaith Alliance, Muslims For Progressive Values, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and Hindus For Human Rights. It asks that the court declare that the commission was created and administered in violation of federal law, to require the disclosure of documents that should already be public, and to ensure that any recommendations produced by this body are clearly identified as coming from an unlawfully constituted commission. The coalition is represented by Democracy Forward and Americans United for Separation of Church and State in the matter.”
The IARF-US Chapter President and Board endorse this action of the Interfaith Alliance and their partners.
We encourage members and friends to contact Congress.
George Garland, President
