International Religious Freedom Builders Forum Honors Faith Leaders Advancing Religious Freedom in Congress

June 04, 2025 at 18:54 PM EDT

Among the awardees were Anna Sineva from the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office and Kyle Cristofalo, Churches for Middle East Peace

Washington, DC, United States, June 4, 2025 -- At the inaugural International Religious Freedom (IRF) Builders Forum, held at The Catholic University of America, leading advocates for international religious freedom were recognized for their outstanding contributions to promoting faith-based collaboration, dialogue, and legislative engagement. Among the honorees were Anna Sineva, who covers government relations, public policy, and legislative affairs for the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office in Washington, D.C., and Kyle Cristofalo, co-chairs of the Congressional Working Group of the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtable.

Sineva received the Roger Williams IRF Builders Award for leadership in advancing multifaith congressional advocacy along with Kyle Cristofalo, Senior Director of Advocacy and Government Relations at Churches for Middle East Peace. They were jointly recognized for helping to shape bipartisan policy solutions and foster multifaith partnerships. Several other dedicated advocates in the IRF community also received awards.

Hosted by the IRF Secretariat, Love Your Neighbor Community (LYNC), and the Templeton Religion Trust, the forum brought together government officials, civil society leaders, and multifaith organizations to explore scalable strategies for building religious freedom, peace, and prosperity worldwide. The capstone event, the Roger Williams IRF Awards Dinner, took place in Heritage Hall on the Catholic University campus in Washington, DC, and celebrated a diverse group of leaders working to protect the freedom of belief for all people.

In her acceptance remarks, Sineva said, “As someone who is both Jewish and a Scientologist, this work is deeply personal. I come from communities that have known exclusion and persecution. So the idea that all people should be free to believe—or not believe—without fear is not abstract to me. It’s a lived truth.”

A U.S. citizen who emigrated from Moscow, Russia, Sineva has spent more than a decade leading advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. During the 118th Congress, she helped coordinate over 300 legislative meetings on Capitol Hill, including a successful campaign to secure the reauthorization of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Earlier in the day, Sineva and Cristofalo led a panel session on Multifaith Congressional Advocacy, spotlighting the effectiveness of engagement and coalition-building in shaping long-term public policy. “Advocacy starts the conversation. Engagement keeps it going. And public policy gives it purpose,” said Sineva.

The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office congratulates all the award recipients and applauds the vision and partnership that made the IRF Builders Forum a landmark event in the movement for global religious freedom.

Nadine Maenza, IRF Secretariat presenting award to Anna Sineva, Church of Scientology National Affairs Office, (photo credit: IRF Secretariat).

About the company: The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office represents the Church in the Nation's Capital and works with many organizations to improve human rights, criminal law reform, drug education, and religious freedom internationally. The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Secretariat is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) created to serve all faith communities, civil society organizations, parliamentarians, and governments that are working to promote, advance, and secure freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. The International Religious Freedom Roundtable is independent and does not represent any government or religion. All activities are participant-led, on an opt-in basis. It welcomes people of all faiths and none, to the table and ensure everyone’s voice is heard equally.

Contact Info:
Name: Sylvia Stanard
Email: Send Email
Organization: Church of Scientology National Affairs Office
Address: 1701 20th St NW Washington, DC 20009
Website: http://www.scientologyreligion.org

Release ID: 89161656

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International Religious Freedom Builders Forum Honors Faith Leaders Advancing Religious Freedom in Congress

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