Juliana Taimoorazy is a leading international advocate, 2021 and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, speaker, and writer advancing awareness of the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.
In 2007, Juliana founded the Iraqi Christian Relief Council to shine a light on the plight of Christians in her ancestral homeland and raise funds to deliver food, shelter, and medicine to Iraq. Her own unique story as a refugee has made her a strong leader and an unshakable voice for Christians in the Middle East today.
Taimoorazy has advised many U.S.-based organizations and institutions on the issue of persecuted Christians in the Middle East, has been consulted on developing policy, has authored many articles, and continues to speak globally to raise awareness on these important issues.
Juliana’s first-hand knowledge and expertise on Middle East affairs have been vital in her efforts to assist Christians at risk. Her personal network of contacts throughout the region and her unique perspective as a former refugee has been crucial to her ongoing efforts to share the message of the plight of Middle Eastern Christians and their desire for religious freedom and their right to live in a pluralistic society.
Understanding the value of religious freedom, she has been known as a “Warrior Against Discrimination”. She has spent much time in building relationships between the Middle East Christians and the Jewish community. She is leading the effort among the Assyrians in America to fight against anti-Semitism in different communities.
Being born and raised in Iran, having direct contact with the Iranians in exiles as well as being connected with the people inside the country, Taimoorazy is able to speak on the current political and humanitarian conditions in Iran.
As a young woman in 1989, fleeing religious harassment in Iran, Juliana was smuggled into Switzerland. After spending seven days in a monastery in Zurich, she was once again smuggled into Germany where she sought religious asylum. In December of 1990 she arrived in America as a refugee in search of religious freedom and the American Dream. In 2000, she obtained her Master’s Degree from Northeastern Illinois University. As a passionate leader who knows firsthand how education can transform lives in America, she has helped refugee women obtain an education to rebuild their lives.
With the opportunities afforded to her to achieve the American Dream, in 2006, Juliana made a commitment to be a greater voice and advocate for the persecuted Church in Iraq and those Christians who are still suffering in the Middle East. Since 2007, her ministry, Iraqi Christian Relief Council has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, helping displaced Christians (and other minorities) throughout Iraq and refugees in the neighboring countries with their basic necessities.
Today, through her activism, speaking engagements and regular media appearances, both in the U.S. and internationally, Juliana has tirelessly shared her personal story and promoted the cause of Iraqi Christians throughout the world. She has been featured on FOX News, BBC, Wall Street Journal Live, Newsmax, Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), and Christian radio programs including CBN.
Juliana has a heart for those who have served in uniform in America . She helped raise donations for the Wounded Warrior Project, visited veterans at Walter Reed Hospital and gathered care packages for American soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For her tireless service to humanity, Taimoorazy was nominated for the prestigious Nansen Award through the United Nations Higher Commission on Refugees (UNHCR). She has received multiple awards; Assyrian Woman of the Year, Michelle Malkin Investigates “Bulldog Award”, Advocacy of the Year award, just to name a few.
Juliana is a UN Delegate in Geneva and she is a member of the Simon Wiesenthal Midwest Region’s Community Engagement Committee. She recently joined the advisory council of The Witness Institute, which strives to continue the work and legacy of the Holocaust Survivor, Professor and Nobel Prize winner, Elie Wiesel. As of February 2021, she has been accepted as a member of the Witness Fellowship for the Emerging Leaders.
Transcript of Juliana's letter to God
Dear God, ܐܠܗܝ ܡܪܚܡܢܐ (My Merciful God - written in the Syrian script)
Dear God,
I knew the day you lead me to Cardinal George was an important day for me. I know there aren’t any accidents in our lives. It is all planned. I am humbled and most grateful for the opportunity. I am honored that you chose me for this. Please be there for me. This is a monumental task which is scaring me. I know for a fact that I cannot do it without your grace and help. I pray that you guide me and my committee (our efforts) in the right way.
Please shine your gracious light on our efforts. I pray for you to send the blessed people who can be of great help in rescuing your children in Iraq from suffering.
Please provide us with the necessary tools and people to proceed with blessed efforts. I, we cannot do this without you, please help us.
I thank you for the following:
Love,
Juliana
7/25/2007
4:59 PM - Chicago