Mohamed Elsanousi

Mohamed Elsanousi serves as the Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, a global network that builds bridges between grassroots peacemakers and global players to strengthen the work done for sustainable peace. He previously served as Interfaith and Government Relations Director at the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Elsanousi also served on the Taskforce for the U.S. Department of State's working group on Religion and Foreign Policy, where he contributed recommendations to the Secretary of State and the Federal Advisory Commission to enhance engagement between the U.S. government, civil society, and religious actors. He frequently participated in the State Department’s speakers’ program, visiting U.S. embassies worldwide.

Elsanousi was the principal coordinator for developing the standards and protocols for safeguarding the rights of Christian, Jewish, and other religious minorities in Muslim-majority communities. This effort resulted in the adoption of the Marrakech Declaration, the most recognized Islamic theological document advocating religious freedom.

Elsanousi Founded Faiths4Vaccines, a pivotal campaign with prominent faith leaders and actors in the U.S.  to support the Biden-Harris Administration´s goal of advancing equitable vaccine distribution and combating vaccine hesitancy.

Elsanousi is the founding executive committee member of the Shoulder to Shoulder campaign, most recently selected to join the NGO Working Group on the U.N. Security Council, and co-chair of the Multi-Faith Advisory Council to the United Nations Interagency Taskforce on Religion and Development. He also serves on the board of directors, advisors, and trustees for numerous interfaith organizations, including but not limited to The Religious Leadership and Civic Engagement Project at New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, the Center for Interreligious Dialogue at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, and the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies.

Elsanousi holds a bachelor’s degree in Law, a Master´s in Law, and a Doctorate in Law and Society from the Indiana University School of Law.