President of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat Nadin Maenza visits North and East Syria 

RAQQA, Syria — Nadine Maenza, President of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat and former Chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) visited North and East Syria following her recent trip to northern Iraq. 

In North and East Syria, Maenza met with spokesperson for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Aram Hanna who briefed her on the current situation in the region. 

Maenza took to Twitter to highlight the transformation of Al-Naeim Square in Raqqa from a place of horrific violence during its control by the Islamic State (ISIS) to the headquarters of the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) of North and East Syria. The area now celebrates religious freedom and women comprise half of the civil leadership. 

Great being back in NE Syria & in #Raqqa!

Raqqa was the HQ of the ISIS Caliphate with Al-Naeim square being horrific place of violence. Now it’s HQ of Autonomous Admin of N & E #Syria with #ReligiousFreedom & half leaders being women. Celebrations are now held here instead! pic.twitter.com/MQ2LUwXwNZ

— Nadine Maenza (@nadinemaenza) March 6, 2023

She also emphasized the need to raise future generations that reject violence and embrace diversity through partnerships with specialized organizations, especially in former ISIS-controlled regions in Syria and Iraq.