Madrid, September 19, 2025 – The Church of Scientology’s Madrid headquarters hosted the twelfth Religious Freedom Awards, organized by the Foundation for the Improvement of Life, Culture and Society, pioneers in Europe recognizing defenders of religious freedom, freedom of conscience, and interfaith dialogue.
These unique awards gather academics, jurists, religious leaders, and civil society representatives to spotlight challenges and achievements in this field. The Foundation, holding Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), founded by the Church of Scientology, has amplified the voices of Spanish religious communities in international forums, consolidating its role in promoting this fundamental right.
Attendees included Mr. Daniel Pelayo, Deputy Director General for Religious Freedom at the Ministry of the Presidency, and representatives from the Madrid Municipal Police Diversity Management Unit, whose work was highlighted during the event. Other attendees included the Bahai Community of Spain and the Vedruna Carmelita nuns of Charity.
A message of dignity and freedom
The ceremony opened with remarks by Isabel Ayuso Puente, Secretary General of the Foundation, emphasizing the importance of religious freedom even in wartime:
“In a world ravaged by war, it might seem a little frivolous to focus on freedom of belief or freedom of religion, because there are other needs that seem more pressing, and indeed they are, at present.”
Ayuso stressed the centrality of freedom of belief to human dignity:
“Freedom of belief is like the freedom of freedoms. Without it, people would not have the status of human beings.“
Finally, she highlighted the need to make belief diversity visible to strengthen coexistence:
”to give visibility to religion, because it can be a pillar, and in fact is a pillar, for laying the foundations for a future and a better society in which everyone can live in peace.”
Five awards, five approaches
This year, the awards expanded from three to five, recognizing the practical work of religious communities and their contribution to dialogue and coexistence.
Professor Salvador Pérez Álvarez – Positive secularism and culture of peace
The first award went to Salvador Pérez Álvarez, Professor of Ecclesiastical Law at the UNED, presented by Professor Fernando Amérigo-Cuervo, who highlighted his academic career and commitment to freedom of conscience and bioethics.
Pérez reflected on constitutional principles guaranteeing religious freedom:
“Positive state secularism is the institutional guarantee, the constitutional pillar that underpins the full enjoyment of religious freedom by all citizens in an increasingly pluralistic society, under conditions of real and effective equality.”
He warned of the growing risk of hate speech:
“This argument is becoming increasingly radicalized and, what is more worrying, in my humble opinion, it is becoming increasingly prevalent in different social sectors.”
Pérez called for a collective commitment to counter these threats:
“We cannot stand idly by in the face of this new form of threat to coexistence on the grounds of religious differences.”
He linked freedom of belief to a fairer society:
“The fulfillment of this requirement has served as the basis for the implementation of a genuine culture of peace as a sustainable development goal.”
Professor Óscar Salguero Montaño – Diversity, respect, and dialogue
The second prize was awarded to Óscar Salguero Montaño, professor and social anthropologist at the Complutense University of Madrid, presented by UAM professor Ana Isabel Planet, praising his commitment to social change and coexistence promotion.
Salguero recalled Jürgen Habermas’ words post-9/11, still relevant:
“Secular citizens must stop understanding religions as atavistic realities and, on the other hand, religious citizens and their representatives must open themselves to dialogue with modernity, far from any fundamentalist attitude.”
He explained how freedom of belief underpins social diversity:
“This freedom of belief enables each and every one of us to live according to our deepest convictions, whether political, religious, or non-religious, and always under the crystal-clear prism of respect and coexistence.”
He cautioned against the political exploitation of beliefs:
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