A Statement by Board Chair Atiya Aftab, Board President Donna Cephas, and Executive Director Sheryl Olitzky
We are reaching out to you today in the midst of emotions running high over actions that have taken place over the past few weeks for many in the Muslim and Jewish communities. The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom® remains concerned about the increased activity of hate targeting Muslims and Jews in North America and around the world. We pray for peace and know that it is the vulnerable who are the most likely to suffer, and we worry about the children.
The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom® rejects all triggers of hate between Muslims and Jews and towards those in our communities. We empathize with the pain, anxiety, and frustration that actions of the past few weeks have caused. The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom® reaffirms our commitment to be there for one another and our communities.
These are difficult times, and the last week has been especially challenging for many of us. Over the next days, we will likely be exposed to hateful rhetoric. The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom® rejects violence, hate, racism, anti-Semitism, and Islamaphobia. There is no rationale or excuse for employing them and there is no justification for any acts of hate, for any reason, at any time. We refuse to be dissuaded from our commitment to one another. In fact, at this challenging and disheartening moment for many of us, we want to strengthen our commitment to build relationships with one another here in our communities and to work together for a more just and peaceful world. Amen and Ameen
Atiya Aftab, Board Chair, Co-Founder
Donna Cephas, Board President
Sheryl Olitzky, Executive Director, Co-Founder
December 6, 2017
