National Interest Foundation

Sudan War and Foreign Meddling
2025-11-06 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | National Interest Foundation, 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 7000, Washington, DC, 20006, United States
The National Interest Foundation invites you to attend an event regarding the latest developments surrounding the war in Sudan and the foreign meddling in the conflict.

Speakers:
H.E. Mohamed Abdalla Idris, Ambassador of Sudan to the United States
H.E. Dr. Khidir Haroun Ahmed, Former Ambassador of Sudan to the United States and Associate Professor of Political Science at the International University of Africa
Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi, Executive Director at the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers
Imam Mohamed Magid, Executive Imam at All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center

Moderator:
Khaled Saffuri, President at the National Interest Foundation

Disclaimer: NIF events are by email invitation only and are non-transferable. You will receive a confirmation email if you have been successfully added to our event attendee list upon registration. Those who do not receive a confirmation email will not be admitted. Also, please note that when registering for any of our events, all required fields must be properly filled out. We reserve the right to deny entry to those who fail to do so.

About our Speakers:
H.E. Mohamed Abdalla Idris is the current Ambassador of Sudan to the United States. As a seasoned diplomat, he brings a sophisticated understanding of international relations, particularly in global health cooperation and humanitarian coordination. H.E. Ambassador Idris has played a pivotal role in representing Sudan’s national interests in Washington and beyond, often working to build cross-border partnerships for health and development. He has been instrumental in facilitating collaborations with global institutions, NGOs, and foreign governments to tackle infectious disease, bolster healthcare infrastructure, and equip Sudan for future public health challenges. Fluent in multiple languages and with a background that includes both international diplomacy and public service, H.E. Ambassador Idris combines strategic acumen with a humanitarian orientation. His leadership exemplifies how diplomacy and global health advocacy can work together to support resilient and equitable outcomes in developing nations.

H.E. Dr. Khidir Haroun Ahmed is the Former Ambassador of Sudan to the United States. He currently works as an Associate Professor of Political Science at the International University of Africa. Previously, Dr. Ahmed also served as Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Sudan to the Republic of India between 2009 and 2011, as Non-resident Ambassador to Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives between 2009 and 2012, and as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sudan to Japan between 1999 and 2001, among other roles. He has published several books including The Urban Dwellers – a novel in Arabic, Nostalgic Messages – an autobiography, and Visions on Thoughts, Culture and Literature. He has also published research in areas such as the story of secession of South Sudan, the impact of globalization on Arabic culture, and religious extremism.

Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi is the Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, a global coalition that connects grassroots peacebuilders with international stakeholders to strengthen collective efforts toward sustainable peace. He also currently serves as a Commissioner on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Previously, Dr. Elsanousi was the Director of Interfaith and Government Relations at the Islamic Society of North America. He served on the U.S. Department of State’s Working Group on Religion and Foreign Policy, where he contributed key recommendations to the Secretary of State and the Federal Advisory Commission to enhance collaboration between the U.S. government, civil society, and religious actors. He also played a leading role in developing the standards and protocols for protecting the rights of Christian, Jewish, and other religious minorities in Muslim-majority contexts—an effort that culminated in the landmark Marrakech Declaration, one of the most recognized Islamic theological documents in support of religious freedom. Dr. Elsanousi is the founder of Faiths4Vaccines, a national campaign mobilizing faith leaders and communities to support the Biden Administration’s goals of equitable vaccine distribution and combating vaccine hesitancy. He is a founding executive committee member of the Shoulder-to-Shoulder Campaign, and was recently appointed to the UN Security Council’s Nongovernmental Organization Working Group. He also co-chairs the Multifaith Advisory Council to the UN Interagency Task Force on Religion and Sustainable Development. In addition to these roles, Dr. Elsanousi serves on the boards of several interfaith and civic organizations, including the Religious Leadership and Civic Engagement Project at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, the Center for Interreligious Dialogue at the Jewish Theological Seminary, and the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in law, a master’s in law, and a doctorate in law and society from Indiana University’s School of Law.

Imam Mohamed Magid is the Executive Imam at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center. He has dedicated over three decades to serving the Muslim community with unwavering commitment, compassion, and vision. Originally from Sudan, Imam Magid comes from a distinguished lineage of Islamic scholarship. He is recognized nationally and internationally for his leadership in promoting human rights, interfaith understanding, and community development. As the Resident Scholar of the ADAMS Center, Imam Magid plays a vital role in guiding the community through education, spiritual growth, and advocacy. His work has empowered individuals and families across generations, and his efforts to foster inclusivity and unity have earned him deep respect across diverse communities. In addition to his community leadership, Imam Magid is an accomplished author and public speaker. His lifelong dedication to service reflects an impeccable record of addressing the evolving needs of the Muslim community while upholding the timeless values of faith, justice, and compassion.

About our Moderator:
Khaled Saffuri is the Founder and President of the National Interest Foundation (NIF), a nonpartisan think tank and nonprofit organization established in April of 2018 which is focused on bettering relationships between the United States and countries across the globe through the promotion of smarter foreign policy. Mr. Saffuri has previously served as a Principal at Meridian Strategies providing international business and government clients with strategic and public affairs consulting services, and also founded and ran one of the United States’ prominent and most active organizations to represent the Middle East and Muslim-Americans. He has worked for many years with Members of Congress and has testified in front of Congressional Committees, advising them on international issues and leading Congressional delegations to the Middle East. Due to his extensive background and expertise, Mr. Saffuri is a regular contributor to a number of important media outlets in the United States and internationally including CNN, CBS, and BBC, and contributes articles and written publications to outlets such as The Washington Post and The American Conservative.

Note: additional speakers may be announced later
