January 2023 Resource Roundup

Our monthly Shoulder to Shoulder Community & Congregational Network Call is an opportunity to convene and connect with interfaith and community organizations and leaders throughout the country who are, in some capacity, addressing anti-Muslim discrimination in the U.S. In our meetings, members share resources, problem solve, and reflect on this important work. Our network includes volunteer-run organizations and organizations with 10+ staff members. There are organizations in rural, urban, and suburban communities in red, blue, and purple states. Each of them recognizes anti-Muslim discrimination as a threat to our communities and country. Each of them is committed to addressing this issue in their community alongside their Muslim neighbors, friends, and siblings.

The notes below are a selection of public resources and events shared by network members and our various partners and friends. If you’re interested in learning more about our Shoulder to Shoulder Community Network, contact us and/or check out our website.

S2S Programmatic Updates:

• Spring Holy Days | Spring Solstice March 20. Ramadan Mar 22, 2023 — April 21 (Eid al Fitr). Passover April 5 -13. Mahavir Jayanti April 4. Theravada New Year April 6. Easter: Western April 9 & Orthodox April 16. Vaisakhi April 13/14. Ridván April 20 — May 2.
• Ramadan Iftar National listing of iftars open to interfaith guests will launch next month.
• Hamline University - Shoulder to Shoulder has been in conversation with partners and our Consultative Circle on the events at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Please see a list of resources, articles, and statements below.

Resources & Upcoming Opportunities

Shared from various partners and friends:

Events

• Belonging: A Weekly Practice Mondays. Is Belonging a destination, a practice or both? How do we cultivate the skills, flexibility and muscle to make belonging real? How do we balance belonging in society at large, ourselves, and our relationships? Have you attended past Othering and Belonging Institute events and want to dig in a little deeper? Join us in a weekly practice space hosted by the Othering and Belonging Institute (OBI) and facilitated by Sarah Crowell, Evan Bissell, and Ashley Gallegos. In this 60 minute drop-in we’ll mix reflection, movement and critical inquiry to stretch our own understandings and applications of belonging. This is a space for discussion, co-creation and growth. https://belonging.berkeley.edu/belonging-weekly-practice?emci=bd6a0ec0-b680-ed11-9d7a-000d3a9eb913&emdi=b29f13a5-5a81-ed11-9d7a-000d3a9eb913&ceid=10413334
• Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies: The Crusades: Are we Prisoners of our Interreligious History? The imagery and vocabulary of the Crusades inhabit our interreligious imaginations and structure our conceptions of violence, including in video games like Assassin’s Creed, in pop literature like The Da Vinci Code, and in President Bush’s invocation of a crusade against terrorism in the wake on 9/11. In this course, ICJS scholars Benjamin Sax and Matthew D. Taylor and visiting Muslim scholar Halla Attallah will excavate the origins of these narratives from the perspectives of their respective faith traditions, and also call into question whether they are applicable to our interreligious encounters in the present. Tuesdays for four weeks. Jan. 17, 24, 31, and Feb. 7 Online: 7:00–8:30 PM EST https://default.salsalabs.org/Te6c64904-e096–44b6-a512–3d747650dd66/854d9068-14b4-45b2-a97e-1e4e37aa8641
• The U.S. Department of Education’s Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships is holding a virtual event series on religious literacy to support greater understanding and inclusion of America’s religious diversity. Thu, January 19, 2023, 4:00 PM — 5:00 PM EST The series is aimed at supporting public PreK-12 schools with strategies for welcoming, accommodating, and fostering inclusive learning environments for students of diverse religious and non-religious backgrounds. This event will specifically focus on facilitating strategies for preventing and addressing bullying that students may experience because of their actual or perceived religious affiliation. Registration https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ed-religious-literacy-series-part-1-preventing-and-addressing-bullying-registration-504657663657 For more information, contact Maggie Siddiqui (Maggie.Siddiqi@ed.gov).
• Facing History: Building Belonging: Online Conversation Space for School Leaders | Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 5:30–6:30pm ET. Join us for an informal online conversation for school leaders where you can engage with other leaders from around the country to share experiences, challenges, and ideas. More Information and Registration
• Interfaith America: Art, Religion, and Academic Freedom: Lessons From the Hamline/Prophet Muhammad Controversy. Constructive ways for leaders in higher education and other sectors to navigate the inevitable conflicts that will emerge in a religiously diverse democracy. January 31 at 11 am CT
• The Center for Security, Race and Rights on Protecting Academic Freedom, Empowering Muslim Students After the Hamline Controversy on February 3 at 12 pm EDT.
• Violence and Peace in Sacred Texts. FEB 07, 2023. 1:00 PM — 2:00 PM Milstein Center For Interreligious Dialogue at Jewish Theological Seminary | Online Discussion Of A New Book Featuring A Range Of Religious Experts Exploring The Interpretation Of Violence In Their Sacred Texts. Registration and information.
• Understanding the threat of white Christian nationalism to American democracy today. Findings from the PRRI / Brookings Christian Nationalism Survey Wednesday, February 8, 2023, 10:00–11:30 a.m. EST
  Online: https://www.brookings.edu/events/understanding-the-threat-of-white-christian-nationalism-to-american-democracy-today
• ‘Women in Religious Scriptures | How can they inspire and empower us today? Hear and discuss how the lives and stories of women in religious scriptures, past and present, can inspire and empower women of faith today. Feb 9, 2 pm ET. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-in-religious-scriptures-how-can-they-inspire-and-empower-us-today-tickets-506285642987
• The 2023 Jews Muslims and Allies Acting Together (JAMAAT) General Assembly On Confronting The Global Rise Of Religious Nationalism Sunday, February 12, 2023, 3:30–5:30 PM (ZOOM) Our lives and well-being are being negatively impacted by the rise of religious nationalism in America and around the world; threatening minority rights and democracy wherever it rears its ugly head. More information and registration here
• Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies: Recognizing and Responding to Everyday Antisemitism and Islamophobia. What do Antisemitism and Islamophobia look like in everyday life? Can we recognize them? How do we respond when we see them? Thursday, Feb. 16 Online: 7–8:30 PM EST https://icjs.org/events/recognizing-and-responding-to-everyday-antisemitism-and-islamophobia/
• ReThink Media is launching a new training series on audio journalism, with a new installment each quarter of 2023. The series is designed to help nonprofit organizations effectively work with audio journalists and producers, on both the local and national level, to engage key audiences and move discussions on vital issues. We’ll be kicking off this series with our first session on Thursday, Feb 16, which will explore the new landscape and ways to integrate and scale audio journalism and storytelling into your strategic communications plan. Register here for Introduction to Audio Journalism, on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT.
• “When We Were Arabs: Memory, Erasure, and Cultural Connections” Thursday, February 16, 2023, 6:00–8:00 pm (virtual) Workshop sponsored by Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, the Arab American National Museum, and Montgomery College Office of Advancement and Community Engagement. More information and registration.
• MPAC Honoring the Legacy of Black Muslims Town Hall Saturday, February 25, 2023 6:00 PM — 7:30 PM ET Join MPAC for this third annual Town Hall as we honor the legacy of Black Muslims in America. RSVP here: http://bit.ly/EmgageBHMForum
• TriFaith Omaha Race, Religion, and Social Justice Conference to be held June 8, 2023 on the Tri-Faith Commons in Omaha, NE. Proposals due Feb 17 https://www.trifaith.org/rrsj-cfp/
• June 22–23, 2022. Aspen Institute is gathering leaders creating an inclusive America in Washington, D.C. for the first-ever Powering Pluralism Summit. Register today and join us in discussing and discovering the future of pluralism in America. https://bit.ly/3hxXsea
• SAVE THE DATE: Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) annual convention in Chicago September 1–4, 2023

Grants/Fellowships/Jobs

• Apply now for the 2023 class of BJC Fellows! This program provides young professionals the opportunity to deepen their historical, theological and legal understanding of religious liberty and develop skills to advocate for the cause. http://BJConline.org/Fellows Our Communications and Community Engagement Manager, Cassandra Lawrence, is a 2022 BJC Fellow and is happy to talk with anyone who has questions about the program.
• SALDEF We are excited to announce that the SikhLEAD Internship applications for Summer 2023 are now open! Immerse yourself in the world of advocacy, and gain the valuable tools you need to navigate your professional career. For more info and to apply visit Our SikhLEAD Programs &Internships — SALDEF
• The Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley is now accepting applications for the 2023 Summer Fellowship Program, which will be held remotely. OBI’s Summer Fellowship Program is a paid research experience for individuals seeking to develop their research skills by engaging with the Institute’s multidisciplinary research, analysis, policy, and strategic narrative work. The purpose of the fellowship is to build the capacity and network of the next generation of researchers and community leaders who are committed to social and racial justice by providing mentorship and hands-on experience with social science research. Deadline to apply is Sunday, January 15 at 8pm PST. Click here to learn more!
• The Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley is now accepting applications for Field Strategy & Research Analyst | The Blueprint for Belonging (B4B) Analyst works with the Network Program Director to develop and carry out partnership strategy and program activities in the areas of narrative research, narrative strategies and/or trainings and capacity building for narrative change. This position is central to OBI’s effort to cultivate new and ongoing partnerships with community power building, civic engagement, labor, academic and other sectors. The position will also develop and oversee a research application and dissemination strategy that seeks opportunities to move key lessons from research into action and scalable strategies for bridging across social and political divides. The position is also responsible for seeking new opportunities for building out the Network. Taken together, this position will support the creation of new strategic pathways for the Network in partnership with a broad cross section of OBI partners.
• Pace e Bene has opened applications for the Changemaker Youth Grants 2023 and is giving up to $1000 to youth (ages 12–23) for projects that provide a creative solution to violence in their community. These projects can be creative, artistic, and out-of-the-box ideas. Ideally, they advance a nonviolent solution or alternative to the problem.
• Pace e Bene are accepting new members for our Campaign Nonviolence Youth Collective Youth (ages 16–23) who show passion for peace, social justice, and activism are strongly encouraged to apply. The application is simple! Click here to fill out a few questions.
• About Me, About You | An interfaith writing workshop by and for women of color. Monday, Jun 19th, 2023 — Sunday, Jun 25th, 2023. Collegeville Institute. This generative week-long workshop aims to build an interfaith writing community by and for women of color who seek to write creative prose (fiction, nonfiction and hybrid forms) that is inspired by personal experience. Guided writing exercises and discussions will focus on generating new work rooted in participants’ experiences as women of color from different faith backgrounds living and writing in America. In so doing, the workshop seeks to expand existing and limiting narratives about women of color both within their faith traditions and in the larger culture. Information and Application
• Hindus for Human Rights are looking to hire an Operations Manager who will help us create and maintain important internal systems to support our advocacy and programming! Please share with anyone in your networks who might be interested. This is a full-time, fully remote role. At this time, we are only able to hire U.S. citizens or individuals with U.S. work authorization. https://www.hindusforhumanrights.org/careers
• International Islamophobia Studies & Research Association Call for Papers for the Annual Conference, May 5–7, 2023 The annual conference is inviting academics, independent scholars and community based researchers to submit abstracts on any and all areas of research focusing on Islamophobia. https://irdp.submittable.com/submit/239779/cfp-iisra-annual-conference-berkeley-2023\
• The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is now accepting applications for the 2023–2024 Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Program, a year-long fellowship for recent college graduates or individuals with equivalent academic and professional experience who are interested in Judaism, social justice, and public policy. Eisendrath Legislative Assistants play a pivotal role in the Reform Movement’s social justice work, including legislative advocacy, leadership development programs, communications, organizing, and supporting the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism (CSA). The deadline to apply is February 21, 2023.
• The Aspen Religion Fellowship will offer a stipend to six research fellows over a sixteen-month timeframe, beginning on September 1, 2023. Fellows will bring a research question or agenda that contributes to addressing one of the three priority themes of the Religion & Society Program for this cohort. The Religion & Society Program will accept requests for proposal for potential fellows from January 13, 2023 to February 24, 2023. https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/religion-society-program/aspen-religion-fellows/
• Dialogue Institute at Temple University is looking for a Research Intern to work with our team from March to December 2023! This position is a great opportunity for someone interested in learning about religious diversity, democracy, and social justice in early American history through hands-on research. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5464ade0e4b055bfb204446e/t/63bdc3b6628b4f5314f6bf0f/1673380790731/Tours+and+Public+History+Research+Intern+Position+Description++%281%29.pdf
• ISPU’s Young Scholar Awards for Outstanding Research on American Muslims in your network. Application will close April 30th. https://www.ispu.org/young-scholar-award-application/
• Enrollment is open now for the Centro Pro Unione Summer Course in Ecumenical & Interreligious Movements, on the historic Piazza Navona in the heart of Rome, Italy. The schedule for the three weeks of the course (June 26 — July 14, 2023) begins each weekday with morning prayer followed by three 60-minute lecture segments. The afternoons are for on-site excursions and lectures (Roman catacombs, Basilica of St. Peter and excavations, St. Clement, “Roman ghetto”, Synagogue and museum, Mosque and Islamic center, and others). Weekends are free.

Resources:

Toolkits

• Peace Catalyst Core Practices for Constructive Dialogue
• ING (Islamic Network Group) Lesson Plan on exploring perspectives on imagery of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
• New Department of Education Fact Sheet is Available on Protecting Students from Discrimination Based on Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects all students from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. A new fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Education describes ways this protection covers students who are or are perceived to be Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, or of another religious group.
• NEW PSA for the Muslim Community on Suicide Prevention The HHS Partnership Center recently released a new 988 Suicide Prevention PSA for the Muslim community. This three-minute Public Service Announcement features diverse Muslim leaders speaking of lived experience, addressing stigma, and promoting 988. The 988 telephone number offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. Last year, the HHS Partnership Center released a video featuring African American Faith Leaders sharing their lived experience with suicide and mental health.
• Department of Homeland Security noted that its Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships is hosting upcoming webinars that will discuss grant funding efforts.
• Prep for a Crisis Before It Hits: A Guide to Creating an Organizational Crisis Communications Plan | ReThink Media
• Arab Indianapolis: A Hidden History | PBS LearningMedia

Reports

• Bridge Initiative — Georgetown University | 2022 Islamophobia in Review: India | 2022 Islamophobia in Review: United States | 2022 Islamophobia in Review: Europe | 2022 Islamophobia in Review: Canada | 2022 Islamophobia in Review: China
• Brookings Institute | The antisemitic and Islamophobic fringe is alarmingly emboldened — but it’s shrinking

Articles/podcasts/videos

• Why do far-right groups burn the Quran? (Video)
• How Islamophobia has entered a new phase — using these 10 strategies
• Best of the Archives: How to Call People In (Instead of Calling Them Out) | Loretta Ross — Ten Percent Happier (Podcast)
• Shirley Hoogstra on Interfaith America with Eboo Patel (Podcast)
• https://oursolidarity.org/john-x-john/ (Video) It is essential to our humanity and our survival. Solidarity means we care for each other no matter who we are, where we live, or where we come from. Our power is not in domination or treating entire groups as “the other”, but in honoring our profound interdependence.
• Dialogue vs. Debate ICJS Islamic Christian Jewish Studies
• MLK Shabbat at Washington Hebrew Congregation with guest preacher, Rev. Cornell William Brooks, lawyer, activist, educator, and former president of the NAACP, https://youtu.be/vlFu7kznayo?t=3301 His sermon begins at 55 min.
• Structural Racism Explained (Video)| Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley

Hamline University Events

• Muslims for Progressive Value’s Open Letter to Hamline University https://app.robly.com/archive?id=6818425f0ade414af6f42b13b218d41f&v=true
• MPAC published a statement in support of Art Professor Dr. Erika Lopez Prater after she was effectively fired by Hamline University. Salam Al-Marayati had the pleasure of joining Dr. Prater and others for an interview by Professor Muqtedar Khan as a part of his Khanversations video series on Youtube. This was an opportunity for to engage the professor herself and discuss issues of Islamophobia, academic freedom and more. Watch the conversation here
• CAIR National statement https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/1_13_2023-CAIR-Statement-on-Islamophobia-and-Hamline-University.docx.pdf
• Lesson Plan: Exploring Perspectives on Imagery of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad — Islamic Networks Group (ING)
• DEI’s Religion Problem by Eboo Patel
• Interfaith America Magazine: Religious Diversity Isn’t Easy & How Do We Bridge Deep Religious Differences in Higher Ed? The Hamline University Muhammad Controversy: What Happened?
• The role of Blackness in the Hamline Islamic art controversy
• Images of Muhammad by Dr Hussein Rashid (Shoulder to Shoulder Consultative Circle Member)
• Islamic paintings of the Prophet Muhammad are an important piece of history — here’s why art historians teach them
• After Lecturer Sues, Hamline University Walks Back Its ‘Islamophobic’ Comments — The New York Times
• The Center for Security, Race and Rights on Protecting Academic Freedom, Empowering Muslim Students After the Hamline Controversy on February 3 at 12 pm EDT.
• Interfaith America: Art, Religion, and Academic Freedom: Lessons From the Hamline/Prophet Muhammad Controversy. Constructive ways for leaders in higher education and other sectors to navigate the inevitable conflicts that will emerge in a religiously diverse democracy. January 31 at 11 am CT

Some of the newsletters we subscribe to:

• Today in Islamophobia Each day, the Bridge Initiative aims to bring you the news you need to know about Islamophobia. This resource will be updated every weekday at approximately 11:00 AM EST. https://bridge.georgetown.edu/today_islamophobia/today-in-islamophobia-january-17-2023/
• Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) | https://www.ispu.org/sign-up/
• Islamic Society of North America | https://isna.net/
• ReThink Media | Get our strategic advice to leverage communications successes for policy victories sent to your inbox. https://rethinkmedia.org/newsletter-signup
• Religion and Society | Aspen Institute https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/religion-society-program/
• Interfaith America Magazine | https://www.interfaithamerica.org/magazine/
• Muslim ARC Anti-Racism Collective | https://www.muslimarc.org/

Closing

Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks | The Power of Ideas: Words of Faith and Wisdom

“We still have to fight for the truth that every group should feel safe; and that our differences, not just our similarities, are what make us human … A society that has no room for difference has no room for humanity … Where there is hate, freedom dies.”