Interfaith Peacebuilding

Our Muslim Neighbor Initiative

Fear has become the motivating factor in the normalization of the condemnation of Islam and the oppression of Muslims in America.

Our Muslim Neighbor works to counter this fear with a positive, informed, and consistent message of Islam and Muslims in the U.S.

The Religions for Peace USA Our Muslim Neighbor (OMN) Initiative engages in activities designed to advance understanding of Islam and Muslims in Middle Tennessee, a region identified by the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Center for American Progress as arguably one of the most Islamophobic areas in America. Envisioned as a national campaign with its pilot phase based in Nashville, Tennessee, OMN uses a collective impact model methodology that utilizes a long-term and community-wide perspective on how to effectively manage public perceptions while reframing misguided discourse that disseminates negative and inaccurate portrayals of Islam and Muslims in America. 

To promote a more peaceful and a well-informed religious understanding, the OMN Campaign works in collaboration with Auburn Theological Seminary, El-Hibri Foundation, Dr. Handa Haruhisa Handa of the International Shinto Foundation, Islamic Networks Group, William and Mary Greve Foundation, the Tannenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding to convene individuals from varied backgrounds and perspectives to engage in public diplomacy, media training, and interfaith education in order to create a social climate that renders anti-Islamic sentiments immoral and unacceptable. Our strong network of over 80 partner organizations across Middle Tennessee and a 12- person steering committee guide our actions.

Faith and Culture Center, the Nashville-based backbone 501(c)3 organization coordinates the Our Muslim Neighbor initiative in Tennessee.

Some of our recent and upcoming actions include:

  • Nashville Annual Community Iftar and Eid Prayers
  • Religious Leaders Conference of Middle Tennessee
  • Auburn Media Training for Community Leaders
  • A Seat at the Table
  • Fall 2015 Islamophobia Conference

Life Together

A Community and Religious Leaders Conference of Middle Tennessee

This three-day conference was a time of reflection and relationship building among Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders in Middle Tennessee. We  visited houses of worship, heard nationally recognized faith leaders speak to the importance of interfaith relations, and learned from one another about our rich and diverse traditions of faith.

The Our Muslim Neighbor initiated gathered a core group of twenty religious leaders from across the region of Middle Tennessee to probe into the challenges and opportunities of life in our multifaith community.

The video to the below covers the final interfaith panel: Life Together: Building a Community of Communities featuring Sheikh Osama Bahloul of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, Rev. Dr. Christine Hong, of the PC(USA) and Dr. Yehezkel Landau of Hartford Seminary.

Eid Prayers

Photo credit: Samuel Simpkins, The Tennessean

2nd Annual Nashville Community Iftar

2nd Annual Nashville Community Iftar

Eid Prayers

Photo credit: Samuel Simpkins, The Tennessean

2nd Annual Nashville Community Iftar

Heartbeat Concert and Community Dialogue

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