Opinion Writing Campaign

This spring, for the first time in more than three decades, followers of several faiths will observe their religious holidays at the same time. In April this includes the celebrations of Ramadan, Passover, Easter, Vaisakhi, Mahavir Jayanti, Theravada New Year, and the Gathering of Nations. This means that Muslims, Jews, Christians, Baha’is, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, and Indigenous nations will all be practicing their significant religious and cultural traditions around the same time. This convergence is an important opportunity to remind our communities yet again, of our interconnectedness and a chance to recommit to our highest ideals for creating and caring for communities where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

We invite faith and community leaders across the United States of America to use this month to:

Reflect on our shared values and ideals, many of which are rooted in our own distinct sacred and ancestral traditions
Recommit to the work of realizing these shared values as a direct response to rising discrimination, hate, and division in this time
Write about it in a compelling and invitational opinion piece about what it means to live well together amidst our religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity. Then publish it in your local newspaper, a national media outlet, faith-based publication, or some other communication platform to share your message

We invite you to join us in spreading the message, shaping the narrative, and influencing our communities toward this greater vision.

Why an op-ed? Opinion pieces are a proven way to influence viewpoints and shift perspectives. A study at Yale University found that op-eds moved public opinion regardless of the individual’s political affiliation or previous stance on the issue. Letters to the editor (LTEs) are also great ways to share your message and are often much shorter than opinion pieces.

Why now? We are living in an era where our nation is sharply polarized and divided along racial, religious, and political lines, and where disinformation and malinformation are used as mobilizing tools for spreading fear and hate. As we anticipate yet another heated election cycle, we need strong shared messaging and proactive leadership to guide us through.

Messaging Guide

This guide outlines topline messaging suggestions, tips for writing your own opinion piece, and for getting it placed in your local news outlets. This guide can also be used to shape newsletters, blogs, and public speeches and sermons.

Sponsoring Organizations

This campaign is created in collaboration with several organizations including the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign, Over Zero, and Faith in Public Life. If your organization would like to collaborate on this campaign in any capacity, please reach out to Cassandra Lawrence at Cassandra.Lawrence@S2SCampaign.org

Published Pieces

Below are opinion pieces, newsletters, blog posts, sermons, videos, and other publications that capture the spirit of this campaign. If you have a piece you would like to include in our list, or would like support writing your own piece, email us at info@s2sCampaign.org.

Statements

An Open Letter to the Muslim Community  from Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America introducing "A Declaration of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to the Muslim Community."

Remarks by U.S. President Joe Biden at a Reception at the White House to Celebrate Eid al-Fitr

Greetings from Capitol Hill | U.S. Senators from across America have shared “Eid Mubarak!” video messages and Letters of Recognition with Islamic Relief USA expressing their holiday greetings to the Muslim American community.

Opinion Pieces

This April, Chicago has a rare opportunity for interfaith cooperation | Chicago Sun-Times by Hind Makki and Sara Trumm

The Confluence of Holy Seasons: An Opportunity to Grow Together | National Council of Churches by Dr. Tony Kireopoulos

Convergence of holy days should unite us all against anti-Muslim bigotry | Portland Press Herald by Rev. Rich Killmer

Easter, Passover, Ramadan time to reflect on what makes United States stand out | TCPalm by Victor Begg

The joy of seeing Ramadan, Easter, and Passover in one supermarket aisle | The National by Shelina Janmohamed

During Ramadan, Passover and Easter, Let Us Learn from God’s Compassion | Times of San Diego by Rabbi Michael Berk

As Holy Week, Passover and Ramadan converge, we're glad we live in Lancaster County, where diversity is welcomed | Lancaster County News by the Lancaster Online Editorial Board

Easter, Passover, Ramadan bring us a chance to focus on what unites rather than divides us | Daily Camera by Fintan Steele

Ramadan, Easter and Passover: Why this week is a ‘festive hat-trick’ | Evening Standard by Zaki Cooper

A time of new light, hope, rebirth, renewal | American Press by Rabbi Barry L. Weinstein

Let us pray for peace this Easter, Passover and Ramadan | Arab News by Rev. Johnnie Moore

April: A Season of Love, Freedom, and Justice by Faith in Public Life

Ramadan for Christians: iftar at the Muslim Community Center | Patheos by Kathryn Shihadah

This time for believers offers chances for insight | Brighton and Hove News by Amanda Evans

Ramadan, Lent, Easter, Ram Navami and Passover: an extraordinary month for giving | Capetown Etc. by Gasant Abarder

Passover urges us to ask why people still have the power to enslave others | Courier-Journal by Honi Marleen Goldman

A Holy Confluence: A Reminder of our Interconnection | Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Perspectives - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by Kristen Opalinski

Happy Ramadan, Vaisakhi, Passover, Easter & More to You, Me & the Global Majority | Haute Hijab by Hind Makki

Collective feasting returns as Good Friday, Passover, Ramadan coincide | The Herald-Times by Timothy Jessen

This religious season reminds us of faith’s liberating promise | The Washington Post by E.J. Dionne Jr.

The Arrogance of Ignorance: War in Ukraine, Religion and Abiding Ethnocentrism | Inter Press Service News Agency by Azza Karam

Three faith traditions come together for a weekend of remembrance [Audio Story] | NPR by Scott Simpson

What Religious Holidays are in April and Why Does it Matter? | Interfaith Youth Core by Becca Hartman-Pickerill and Kaitlyn Dalton

Speaking of Religion: Wisdom from all | Bennington Banner by Charles R. Putney

April brings uncertain things, now and then |Daily Press by Jamie Stiehm

Ramadan and Iftars to Promote Interfaith Harmony and Understanding | Patheos by Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Faith Matters: April’s holidays ask us to give something up for the common good | The Greenfield Recorder by Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener

We Are Family |Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation by Howard Menaker

Convergence of holy days should unite us all against anti-Muslim bigotry | Holland Sentinel by Rev Richard Killmer