A Champion for The Persecuted

Nadine Maenza is a fighter. She fights for persecuted Christians and other religious minorities throughout the world, but she does not do it just from her office in Washington DC, but by spending time on the ground with the people, seeing and experiencing for herself the suffering of those she defends.

Just last week, Maenza was given the Cedars of God Award by In Defense of Christians for “combatting Christian persecution around the world.” juicyecumenism.com/2021/09/27/nadine-maenza-saving-lebanon/

Maenza is the newly elected Chair of the Congressionally chartered United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), formed in 1998 as part of the International Religious Freedom Act, launched by former Congressman Frank Wolf, Senator Sam Brownback and others. She is bringing a breath of fresh air to a critically important organization.

With more than twenty years of experience supporting those in need from families to those fighting for religious freedom, Maenza is an expert on policy, a writer and speaker in the forefront of the defense of the suffering.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom works closely with the office of International Religious Freedom at the State Department and the Ambassador for International Religious Freedom. It also collects information from a wide range of organizations ranging from Open Doors to the Barnabas Fund to Christian Solidarity Worldwide and many others in a network that is able to immediately mobilize help for ongoing persecution. They hold a weekly Roundtable meeting coordinating efforts worldwide.

In comments that surprised many, Maenza said, “I have an open door to this Administration for many of the efforts we are involved with and have been impressed at the level of expertise as well as personal concern I have experienced in my interactions with them.” This gives some good news for the many concerned about the perceived lack of public support for persecuted Christians and others under the new administration.

Mr. Carlo Ganjeh, newly elected Secretary General of the Assyrian Universal Alliance at www.AUA.net, the historic worldwide organization that since 1968 has represented Assyrians worldwide, said, “Nadine Maenza has been a tireless supporter not only for our people in the region, but for the many persecuted, and it is an honor to be able to work with and support her efforts as she does ours.”

He continued, “I have been to Iraq countless times to assist the Assyrian Christians, Yazidis, and others as well as to Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, Bahrain, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Taiwan to mention just a few, working, in particular since my appointment in 2018 to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom”.




Most recently USCIRF strongly condemned the Turkish bombing of indigenous Assyrians in their homeland in Northern Iraq as well as of those targeting the Yazidis in Sinjar. Maenza has also been deeply involved with the situation in Afghanistan, both with rescues and urging the U.S. and other countries to resettle religious minorities.

The first Sunday of November is designated as the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, reminding believers that approximately 300 million Christians live under persecution with estimates of 10 martyred every day for their faith. A recent United Kingdom Government report stated that approximately 80% of all the persecuted in the world are Christians.

A committed believer, Maenza asks the Church to pray for her and the efforts of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. She urges believers, with their Churches, to pray and work on behalf of persecuted believers regularly and to become involved personally. She is always available to speak at churches, schools and other events on behalf of the persecuted.

“In spite of the difficulties worldwide,” she said, “ I am encouraged by the growing awareness and expertise not only in governments, but in the private sector, and the growing movement to respond to and stop persecution as it develops worldwide.”

Support Christian Journalism

Freedom ​is Not Free! Free Speech is essential to a functioning Republic. The assault on honest, Christian Journalism and Media has taken a devastating toll over the last two years. Many Christian media outlets have not survived.

It is through your Generosity and Support that we are able to promote Free Speech and Safeguard our Freedoms and Liberties throughout our Communities and the Nation. Without your donations, we cannot continue to publish articles written through a Biblical worldview.

Please consider donating or subscribing today. A donation of any size makes a Big Difference. Thank you for your Support!

Amir George

Amir George is the author of Liberating Iraq and directs The World Helpline at www.theworldhelpline.org