To some Westerners, the idea that religious freedom can finally come to Middle-Eastern Islamic countries, where Christians and other religious minorities are persecuted, imprisoned, tortured, and even killed, seems like an impossible dream.

Millions in the Middle East do not have the choice to explore, or even ask questions about any religion other than Islam. Thousands of former Muslims are risking their lives just to share their religious beliefs with friends, coworkers and family members in Islamic countries.

But, we also believe that even though it seems impossible, expanding religious freedom in the Middle East is still very much possible.

We are thankful for the many people who have supported organizations that advocate for persecuted Christians and other religious minorities mistreated because of their faith. These humanitarian and charitable organizations have brought together, in partnership, concerned citizens living in freedom with suffering people living in places of the world where they are denied religious freedom.

We join these other organizations in providing practical aid and advocacy for those persecuted for their faith in God. We, too, bring their needs, their stories, their voices, and their inspiration to North Americans.

But, we also have this crazy dream: Religious freedom in the Middle East. When we speak with our Middle Eastern partners, this is what is on their hearts and minds.

When people are allowed the freedom to express their faith and to engage in dialogue within a “marketplace of ideas,” all society benefits from this free exchange.

No one should be under compulsion to believe, or observe a particular religion. Everyone should have the freedom to choose to believe or not to believe a particular faith without suffering persecution, assault, or denial of basic human rights.

If our focus is specific, then our goal can become specific, too. When a goal is specific, then it follows that specific steps can be undertaken to change what appears to be an impossible situation. Even though it may be challenging, increasing the level of religious freedom allowed in these countries is not impossible after all.

In the past month, the world witnessed a large number of Iranians who want more freedom and are willing to risk their lives to achieve it. The same desire lies within the hearts of many other Middle Easterners.

Indigenous attorneys are at the forefront of this push for more religious freedom in Egypt — the most populous Middle-Eastern nation. They are questioning the status quo in ways unimaginable just a few years ago. Recent cases are using the legal system to fight for free expressions of religious identity. Egyptians are appealing to the courts using logical arguments, which are exposing the conflict between Islamic law and basic human rights provisions embedded in Egypt’s laws.

I’ll post more details about some of these cases over the following weeks. Such developments should encourage us to see that there is hope for more peace and more freedom in the Middle East by working through indigenous people who share a dream for more freedom. They deserve our support in this difficult struggle.