Salaam-Schalom Initiative

Salaam-Schalom is an intercultural activist initiative, which was established in December 2013 by Berliner Jews and Muslims. It stands for a peaceful co-existence and solidarity, and promotes these aims by implementing various interventions and projects which raise awareness to social and institutional exclusions in mainstream German society.[1]

Activities

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Human chain against anti-Semitism and Islamophpobia 2014. Foto (c) Ömer Sefa Baysal

The initiative organizes regularly open discussion rounds, panel discussions, and workshops.[2] Activists of the group formed in Summer 2014, during the Gaza conflict, a human chain against anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, and to demonstrate the importance of unity.[3] In July 2015, the group organized a solidarity demonstration with women who cover their hair. The group demanded equal opportunities for women with headcoverings.[4]

Reception

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The Salaam-Schalom Initiative has received extensive media coverage in Germany, and in August 2014, members of the group were invited to a meeting with German President Joachim Gauck. In October 2014, the First Lady of Germany, Daniela Schadt visited the group in the neighborhood of Neukölln in Berlin.[5] In April 2015, the group was awarded with the Ribbon for Courage and Reconciliation by Berlin Governing Mayor Michael Müller.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Regarding NPR Berlin".
  2. ^ "Germany racism".
  3. ^ "The Salaam-Shalom Initiative: Breaking down artificial walls - Qantara.de". 23 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Muslim-Jewish Group Organizes Rally for Equal Employment Opportunities". HuffPost. 20 July 2015.
  5. ^ "In Berlin, Jews and Muslims Fight for Each Other". 2 December 2014.
  6. ^ ""Band für Mut und Verständigung 2015" verliehen".
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