Shoulder-to-Shoulder is an interfaith organization dedicated to ending anti-Muslim sentiment by strengthening the voice of freedom and peace. Founded in November 2010 by over 20 national religious groups, Shoulder-to-Shoulder works not only on a national level, but offers strategies and support to local and regional efforts to address anti-Muslim sentiment and seeks to spread the word abroad.
By the summer of 2010, prejudice against Muslims had reached unprecedented intensity. Controversy raged over the decision to build a Muslim community center a few blocks from Ground Zero in New York City and threats to burn the Book of Qur’an in Florida continued to fill the stories of major media outlets.
In response, nearly 40 senior religious leaders convened at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on September 7th, 2010 for an emergency interfaith summit to challenge the recent increase in anti-Muslim sentiment and rhetoric. Standing in solidarity with their Muslim fellow Americans, they released a powerful joint statement and held a press conference that was broadcast live by C-SPAN and CNN, covered by multiple national and international media outlets, and attended by White House staff. Read the full text of the September 7th, 2010 Press Statement.
Shoulder-to-Shoulder emerged from the momentum and success of that summit as a coalition of national religious organizations united in their dedication to ending anti-Muslim sentiment forever.
Beginning at the Grassroots
Helping people get involved in their own communities by providing an up-to-date events calendar with listings from across the country. (Are you planning an event? Click here to submit it!)
Sharing ideas for starting community initiatives to address anti-Muslim sentiment by maintaining an archive of past events. Offering resources materials in a comprehensive online library that includes worship materials, educational curricula, videos, and more.
National Advocacy
Providing senior religious leaders with opportunities to speak to the U.S. public together about the need to end anti-Muslim bigotry.
Urging each faith group to prioritize ending anti-Muslim sentiment by encouraging their regional bodies and congregations to engage in this work, discussing the issue of anti-Muslim bigotry at their annual meetings, and seeking press coverage of their efforts on the issue.
Working with Congress to explore ways to end anti-Muslim sentiment.
Working closely with White House staff.
Implementing a comprehensive press strategy that will include editorial board meetings with key newspapers and placing op-eds by senior religious leaders in newspapers across the nation.
Expanding to the Global Community
Sharing our message with the Muslim world and the international community as a whole, to make it known that religious communities in the United States are committed to ending anti-Muslim bigotry.
Click the button below to see a list of our current members.
View MembersShoulder-to-Shoulder members are national, religious, faith-based and interfaith organizations that have made a commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their fellow Americans. Is your organization interested in becoming a member?
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