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Ramadan begins; webinar on fighting Islamophobia; Talking Back to Hate
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This week marks the beginning of Ramadan for Muslims across the world, 29-30 days of fasting from dawn to sunset. While fasting, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking and sexual relations.  

Sometimes, mosques and Islamic community centers will open their doors or partner with local interfaith groups or other congregations to host an interfaith iftar, the fast-breaking meal each day after sunset.  

Joining in these festive meals can be excellent ways to build relationships and learn about the lived faith of Islam.  Some interfaith friends will even join in fasting for the month, along with the Muslim community.

You can check with your local Mosque or Islamic Center to find an existing interfaith iftar, or to express your interest in joining one.

Here are a few other ways you can support your Muslim neighbors during this holy month:
  • Learn about Ramadan.
  • Find an iftar that is open to community members, or an organized interfaith iftar.
  • Make a phone call to your local mosque or Islamic community centers to offer a word of celebration.  "Ramadan Mubarak" and "Ramadan Kareem" are traditional greetings.  
  • Send a card or an email with a message of celebration.
  • Post your support on Facebook or Twitter.
What You Can Learn from the Fight to End Islamophobia
A Religions for Peace USA Webinar

On July 25 at 3:30 ET, Religions for Peace USA and the American Center for Outreach are partnering to offer a webinar featuring Remziya Suleyman, ACO Director of Policy an Administration.
On the webinar, Remziya will offer stories of success and challenge in the fight to organized against Islamophobia.

Remziya's work with ACO, as well as the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) has included lobbying, organizing and mobilizing the Tennessee Muslim community.  This work included a successful challenge to the nation's most 
vehemently anti-Muslim legislation in 2011.

Register for the upcoming webinar here.  And click here to listen to Remziya's introduction to the webinar.

 
Hate speech has become a growing problem that affects all of us. The resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe, the rise of Islamophobia in both Europe and North America, and continued persecution against immigrants, religious and other minorities throughout the world are alarming, and call for thoughtful, decisive action.

To address these problems United Religions Initiative (URI) has launched an urgent global initiative called Talking Back to Hate.  The purpose of the Talking Back to Hate campaign is to counter hate speech, discrimination and bullying through education, advocacy and positive action.

Click through to find more information about the Talking Back to Hate campaign, including their great resources for action, to sign their pledge, to access toolkits and find stories of positive action.
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