INTERFAITH FORUM

In February, the Appeal of Conscience Foundation hosted the Interfaith Community’s Role in Healing Together: A Forum on Mutual Acceptance, Mental Health and Youth” in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This timely and relevant forum supports ACF’s mission to promote mutual acceptance, peaceful co-existence and Respect the Other and the U.S. Administration’s interagency policy efforts and strategy towards countering Antisemitism, Christianophobia, Islamophobia, and related forms of bias and discrimination. Forum attendees included representatives from the US State Department and White House, interfaith and mental health leaders from around the US.

(2nd from left) Hon. Rashad Hussain, Ambassador-at-Large, Office of International Religious Freedom at the U.S. Department and keynote speaker of the Interfaith Forum with Karen Dresbach, EVP; Appeal of Conscience Foundation, Dr. Fred R. Anderson, Trustee of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and Dr. Que English, Director of the Center for Faith based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Melissa Rogers, Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships joins Karen Dresbach, EVP of Appeal of Conscience Foundation, Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland-Tune, COO of National Council of Churches and Dr. Natasha Gresham, Director of The Potter’s House.

Sheikh Musa Drammeh, Masjid Al-Iman Mosque; Foundation Chair New York Peace Coalition and His Grace Bishop Irinej Dobrijevic, Bishop of Eastern America, The Serbian Orthodox Church in attendance.

**Archbishop Dr. Vicken Ayakazian, Ecumenical Director & Diocesan Legate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) in conversation with** **Interfaith and mental health leaders discussing topics during the group session.**

Chandrika Tandon business leader & Grammy nominated artist, provides feedback and prospectives at the Interfaith Forum. Seated L to R: Sheikh Musa Drammeh, Masjid Al-Imam Mosque; Founding Chair New York Peace Coalition; Dr Natasha Gresham, Director, The Center for Counseling and Behavior Health, The Potter’s House. Melissa Reid, Associate Director, Public Affairs & Religious Liberty Department Seventh Day Adventist Church; Most Venerable Bhante Katugastota Uparatana Head Monk and Resident Spiritual Director, International Buddhist Center

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