Contact: Brian Mayes, 615-771-2040

OTTAWA, Ontario, Oct. 23, 2013 /Standard Newswire/ -- On Thursday, October 17th, a historic event entitled "Standing Together: Protecting Religious Freedom" was held in partnership with One Free World International and Machzikei Hadas Congregation in Ottawa. The event celebrated a unique partnership between an Orthodox Rabbi and an Egyptian Reverend coming together to show their solidarity, support and awareness of the crisis facing victims of religious persecution in Egypt and Syria.

Photo L-R: Dr. Reuven P. Bulka; Rev. Majed El Shafie; and, Dr. Andrew P.W. Bennett.

Egyptian-born human rights leader and One Free World International founder Rev. Majed El Shafie and Dr. Reuven P. Bulka, Rabbi at Machzikei Hadas Congregation, united in solidarity and support of the Christian communities in Syria and Egypt. Said El Shafie, "No matter what our differences are, it's our ability to stand united that will help us win the battle."

El Shafie and Bulka were joined by Dr. Andrew P.W. Bennett, Ambassador to the Office of Religious Freedom, and the Honourable Tim Uppal, Minister of State (Multiculturalism), who both agreed to speak at the event as an expression of Canada's ongoing commitment to supporting freedom of religion around the around.

"If you think that you are far away from persecution, think again," warned El Shafie. "It's just a matter of time before it reaches you. If you do not stand for others today, they will come against you tomorrow. We must stand side by side against religious persecution."

In recent weeks, El Shafie has been making the media rounds, discussing the crisis in Egypt and around the world on such outlets as Fox News Radio, Glenn Beck, Mike Huckabee Show, Phil Valentine, Laura Ingraham, Sun News Network's The Arena with Michael Coren and The Source with Ezra Levant and more.

El Shafie has a unique voice, having once been arrested, tortured, and sentenced to die in Egypt for defending human rights and fighting for freedom of religion and the rights of minorities. El Shafie's dramatic story, and those of others worldwide who are suffering persecution, are told in shocking detail in his new book, FREEDOM FIGHTER: One Man's Fight for One Free World (Destiny Image). This is the true story of his continuing fight for a world free of religious persecution. The book is a companion to the award-winning human rights documentary, FREEDOM FIGHTER, now available on DVD from Destiny Image Films. View the official trailer: www.freedomfighterdvd.com.

More info: www.onefreeworldinternational.org