The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, an international organization of Muslim and Jewish women, is deeply grateful that all the hostages held at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, TX were released unharmed. We acknowledge and are thankful for the actions by law enforcement authorities in averting the loss of life of the captives. Further, we note with sadness that on a day of the week devoted to reflection and peace the lives of our Jewish sisters and brothers were touched by terror and hate. We strongly condemn any attack on a house of worship and consider it a crime and unacceptable act of evil.
There is never an excuse for any anti-Semitic or other hate attack. The Sisterhood stands in solidarity with the Jewish community, and are heartened by the unity, actions, and support of the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian religious leaders of the interfaith community in Texas. We call on our sisters and communities across the nation to continue to build relationships and harmony and not allow the acts of hate and violence to influence our minds and hearts or further divide us.
We stand as one as we do this crucial work of changing the world for the better by building bridges, and fighting anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, hate, stereotyping & prejudice.
Roberta Elliott Tahija Vikalo
Board President Executive Director
January 16, 2022
