The first ever International Religious Freedom Summit took place in Washington, DC, this week. The three-day event brought together an array of faith and political leaders committed to upholding religious freedom and tackling anti-religious discrimination around the globe.

The conference addressed a broad spectrum of international concerns such as China’s widely condemned treatment of Uyghur Muslims, the rise of Hindu nationalism, the persecution of religious minorities in the Middle East and outbreaks of violence between Christian and Muslim groups in parts of Africa.

The Dalai Lama, Muslim American actor Mahershala Ali and New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan addressed the gathering.

Co-chair Sam Brownback, former U.S. ambassador for international religious freedom, said they hoped to create a bipartisan, multifaith coalition to champion what the summit website described as the “cause of religious freedom around the world.”

Brownback praised the Biden administration for taking a hard-line position against China’s treatment of Uyghurs and expressed hope that this week’s conference can further encourage the foreign policy community to take religion seriously.