We Call on National and Local Leaders to Stand Up against Bigotry and Hate

The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom strongly condemns the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two peaceful protestors who lost their lives while engaging in peaceful protests in Minneapolis to protect their neighbors. We also acknowledge and grieve for the many victims of the current administration, people who have been detained without due process and have been harmed in many ways, including harm that leads to their deaths.

As Muslim and Jewish women who stand up to end anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish biogtry, the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom strongly condemns the attack on Representative Ilhan Omar and the violence against the Somali community in Minnesota. We understand that the othering of Muslims is a way to try to divide our communities at a time when the need to stand up for each other is more important than ever. The January 10 arson attack on a synagogue in Mississippi is a recent example of violence fueled against the Jewish community. As violence escalates, we look to our political leaders to insist on the safety and dignity of all people and to inspire their constituents to stand up against bigotry, hate and harmful stereotypes.

Thankfully Rep. Ilhan Omar is safe. We value how she stands up courageously for her constituents and continues to speak out clearly as a voice for justice, for women and for religious minorities. The violence that immigrants and U.S. citizens are facing and the singling out of the Somali community in Minnesota -- represent an unraveling of democratic values that have been a magnet for so many of our families that emigrated to the United States.

We call on our political leaders to amplify the efforts of groups like ours – Muslim and Jewish women from across the United States who demonstrate, every day, how to reach across our differences, our political parties and other divides to stand together for peace, justice and human rights. We amplify love, respect and mutual support rather than bigotry, hate and violence.

For our Sisterhood members and allies who want to take action in the face of escalating violence in migrant and refugee communities in the U.S., we encourage you to learn about the resources available from the following organizations:

ACLU:https://www.aclu.org/ Indivisible: https://indivisible.org/

Faith in Action: https://faithinaction.org/ DIRE: https://diresupport.org/