"Sherzad gives a lot of people hope," she told CNA. "If a Jewish person can have this kind of position in the Middle East and is willing to risk his life against terrorists and stand for the freedom of people of his faith, then there is nothing anyone can't do."
Ramirez is CEO of Hardwired Global, an NGO that trains local leaders around the world to defend religious freedom for themselves and others.
"It has been so hopeless for so many minorities for so long that I think Sherzad's courage and work gives them hope that they have a future," she added.
Since assuming his position, Mamsani has already made headway in advancing his cause.
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"In the last year or so, we have made great progress," he said. "We are already seeing that the preconceived negative image Muslims and other religious minorities have of Jewish Kurds is changing. They are seeing that the hatred they were told to have towards us is unjustified and we are beginning to see a whole new mindset towards us."
"Also, for the first time, Jewish Kurds are now living freely with other religious minorities," he said with pride. "This is a great accomplishment."
In April 2015, the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government passed the Law of Minorities, which gives every religious community in the region the right to establish a representation office in the government and to practice their religion freely.
The Iraqi Kurdistan government now officially represents eight religious communities: Jews, Muslims, Christians, Yazidis, Zoroastrians, Yarsanis, Baha'is, and Mandaeans
Mariwan Naqshbandi, official spokesperson of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs in Iraqi Kurdistan, spearheaded the religious freedom law.
"I have seen countries with people of diverse and numerous faiths and they live in harmony," Naqshbandi told CNA. "This is what inspired me to write the law and help get it passed."
"As a Muslim working in religious affairs, I know the history of our people and our rich culture which has many other religions. The right to worship is a freedom everyone should have," Naqshbandi emphasized.
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Ramirez encouraged the American people to not give up on their efforts in Iraq.
"The U.S. has invested a lot of blood, sweat and tears in Iraq. At this point in time, we have a real opportunity to encourage the government to make religious freedom a priority," Ramirez said. "We often forget that the history of Jews is intertwined with Christianity. We need to value this history and defend all communities struggling to survive."
Mamsani said there is still a lot of work left to be done, but is undeterred.
"We need your help to support our government and the Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs. Help us to stand for our human rights," he pleaded. "I have my faith and I will continue to fight for my beliefs. Religious freedom is worth fighting for."