Forum on racism and Islamophobia

Muslims for Social Justice along with six partner organizations of MERI (Movement to End Racism and Islamophobia; MERI.org) co-organized a forum titled Challenging Racism and Islamophibia at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church on Monday, June 15, 2015. 

MERI is a North Carolina based network that is made of Muslims for Social Justice, Jewish Voice for Peace - NC, Black Workers for Justice, Abrahamic Initiative on the Middle East, NC Justice Center, Methodist Federation for Social Action - NC Chapter and Peace Committee of Chapel Hill Friends Meeting. 

The forum was co-sponsored by many local organizations including NC Council of Churches, Congregations for Social Justice, Chapel Hill Friends Meeting, Muslim American Public Affairs Council (MAPAC), Coalition for Peace with Justice (CPWJ), Fr. Charlie Mulholland Catholic Worker House, Quaker House of Fayetteville NC, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom - NC (WILPF - NC), Durham Solidarity Center, North Carolina Stop Torture Now, Balance and Accuracy in Journalism (BAJ), Southerners on New Ground (SONG), Peace and Social Concerns Committee of Raleigh Friends Meeting and Triangle Interfaith Alliance.

 

During the panel discussion, panelists covered areas of Islamophobia & racism (Manzoor Cheema), war on Black workers, women, and political prisoners (Sister Shafeah M'Balia), Israel's role in Islamophobia (Beth Bruch) and connections between Palestine and African American liberation (Ajamuito Dillahunt). This was followed by a break out session where attendees were asked about their experience and strategies to counter racism and Islamophobia. Naveed Moeed gave closing remarks. Fruit of Labor Singing Ensemble offered cultural performances at the beginning and end of the forum.

 

MERI plans to offer similar forums and workshops on racism and Islamophobia in the future. To learn more, contact info@MERINC.org.

 

Here are pictures from the forum: