Nairobi, Kenya — Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Bahaidar, a prominent media leader and CEO of IQRA FM, has been selected to represent Kenya at the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the U.S. State Department’s flagship professional exchange initiative.
Dr. Bahaidar is the only Kenyan among 30 global delegates chosen for the 2024 IVLP cohort, which brings together influential leaders working to advance religious freedom, interfaith dialogue, and peaceful coexistence. His participation highlights his growing influence as a faith ambassador and community bridge-builder, both in Kenya and internationally.
The program will take Dr. Bahaidar across the United States from July 26 to August 16, with stops in Washington, D.C.; Manchester, New Hampshire; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Dallas, Texas. Throughout the visit, delegates will engage with U.S. policymakers, civil society organizations, and religious leaders to explore collaborative approaches to promoting tolerance, religious pluralism, and mutual respect.
“This recognition is not a reward, but a call to serve with greater humility,” said Dr. Bahaidar. “Let our efforts be altars, not stages. Let us serve, not to be seen, but to make a difference.”
Through his leadership at IQRA FM, a leading faith-based radio station, Dr. Bahaidar has championed inclusive dialogue, amplified marginalized voices, and used media as a tool for peacebuilding. His selection for the IVLP underscores his role in redefining the intersection of faith, leadership, and civic responsibility in Kenya.
Representing Kenya alongside delegates from countries such as Morocco, India, Austria, Brazil, and Bahrain, Dr. Bahaidar hopes to challenge stereotypes and highlight faith’s potential to heal rather than divide.
“I do not stand above, I stand among. Among the seekers, the bridge-builders, the believers who know that faith is not a dividing line, but a sacred meeting place,” he said.
The International Visitor Leadership Program has hosted over 500 current or former heads of state and remains one of the most influential soft diplomacy tools of the U.S. government. Dr. Bahaidar’s participation not only elevates Kenya’s voice on the global stage but also offers a powerful example of how faith, vision, and perseverance can shape a more inclusive future.
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