Welcoming the White House Commitment to Develop a Strategy to Counter Islamophobia

The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign welcomes the announcement from the White House to commit to developing a national strategy to counter Islamophobia. As a national multifaith coalition committed to countering and preventing anti-Muslim discrimination in the United States, the numerous faith groups that make up Shoulder to Shoulder have worked alongside Muslim communities in the United States for over a decade on these issues. A long-term and action-oriented commitment from the White House to address, counter, and prevent anti-Muslim discrimination and the root causes of this form of hatred and bigotry is vital and necessary.

At Shoulder to Shoulder, we believe we all have a role in building a pluralistic and inclusive society — no matter who we are, where we come from, or what we believe. We recognize that no single action will ever be enough to right the wrongs of our past or bring back the precious lives lost and impacted in hate crimes and hate-fueled violence. Government action is necessary but it is not sufficient alone. The responsibility to overcome anti-Muslim and all forms of violence and bigotry lies with us all. We are ready to partner with leaders on interfaith approaches to countering hate and Islamophobia as we need strategies at grasstops and grassroots levels of society to create new policies and norms for a more just and equitable future.

We welcome this important step from the White House, and we pray that it will have lasting positive impacts for American Muslim communities and beyond. The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign is prepared to continue on in our important work in the days, weeks and years ahead to come alongside people of faith and goodwill who are working to ensure that all people are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign: Standing with American Muslims, Advancing American Ideals is a national multifaith coalition of religious denominations and faith-based organizations who are committed to ending anti-Muslim hatred, discrimination, and violence in the United States of America.