• “Well-researched,cogentlyargued,anddrawingontheworkofscholarsaswellpersonalinsights,Slocum’sworkavoidsclichésanddeeplyexaminesthecomplexrelationshipbetweenIslamandtheWest.Intheend,Slocumunmasksaclashofignoranceandrevealsasharedhumanitytowhichwecanallrelate.”

— Muhammed Hassanali, Booklist Starred Review

• “Inhiscomprehensive,helpfuldebut,Slocum,anaircraftdesignerandformermissionary,encouragesChristianstoestablishfriendlyrelationshipswithMuslims…Effectivelycounteringpernicious,misinformednarratives,thisisanessentialcontributiontointerfaithstudies.”

— Publishers Weekly

• “AnexplorationofIslamicbeliefsandhistorythataimstochallengeAmericanIslamophobia…Aclear,concise,andthoughtfulintroductiontoIslam.”

— Kirkus Starred Reviews

• “SteveSlocum’sWhyDoTheyHateUs?offersreadersahighlyaccessibleintroductiontoIslamasalivedreligionalongwithahelpfulblueprintforhowtobuildandmaintainpeacebetweenMuslimsandmajoritypopulationsintheWest.InaneraoframpantIslamophobia,Slocum’sbookisessentialreading.”

— Todd H. Green, author of The Fear of Islam: AnIntroduction to Islamophobia in the West

• “WhyDoTheyHateUs?takesastandagainstprejudicebyadvocatingadifferentapproachtonotjusttoleratingMuslims,butgettingtoknowthemonapersonallevel…Itstandsoutfromthecrowdinofferingapowerfulblendofhistorical,political,andpersonalperspectivesonaverycomplexissue…”

— Midwest Book Review

• “SteveSlocumskillfullyencouragesustoreclaimoursightandrediscoverthebeautifultruthaboutourMuslimsistersandbrothers:justlikeus,they

arebelovedimagebearersoftheDivine.Thisbookisforthepeacemakers,thehaters,andeveryoneinbetweenwholongtoseemoreclearlyandwhodaretobelievethatGodinhabitsuncommonfriendshipsand,throughthem,isremakingtheworld.”

— Jer Swigart, Co-Founder, The Global Immersion Project, Co-Author, Mending the Divides: Creative Love in a Conflicted World

• “Steve,Iwasn’tabletojustglancethroughyourbook.Ihadtoreaditslowly.Ifoundittobecaptivating,fullofimportantinformation,relevanttoeveryAmerican.”

— Safi Kaskas, Muslim Peacemaker, Activist, Author,

The Qur’an - A Contemporary Understanding

•“WhyDoTheyHateUs?providesneededinformationabouttheMuslimworldtohelpnon-Muslimsseethroughmisleadingpropaganda.ItprovidesrealinspirationbasedonSteveSlocum’sexperiencesasaChristianlivinginaMuslimcountryandtravellingwidelyintheMuslimworld.Mostimportant,itisaninvitationtojoinSteveasapeacemaker,learningtoloveour1.5billionMuslimneighborsasweloveourselves.That’sanimportantmission,andalotdependsonourbeingpartofit.”

— Brian D. McLaren, Author, Speaker, Activist

•“SteveSlocum’sbookisalaborofloveforhumanity.Parthistorical,contemporary,andreflectiveinlightofhispersonaltransformation,Slocumbringsthereaderonabeautifulridetowardsunderstanding,compassion,knowledge,andthekindofgenuinereligiouspluralismthatourworldsdesperatelyneedinthe21stcentury.Thisaccessiblewrittenbookisanimportantantidotetotherisinganti-MuslimsentimentintheU.S.andbeyond.ItwillappealtothosewhoareseekingthetruthabouttheIslamicfaithandthosewhoarehopingtoliventheirspiritbyreadingtheworkofacommittedbridgebuilder.”

— Dr. Craig Considine, Department of Sociology, Rice University

STEVE SLOCUM PeaceActivist,AuthorofWhy Do They Hate Us? Making Peace with the Muslim World

www.steveslocum.com

For interviews and review copies:LeannGarms,BBLMedia&Publishingleanngarms@gmail.com214-289-3563

Reviews

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING…

● 75%ofAmericansdon’tknowaMuslim● 55%Americansknow“littleornothing”aboutIslam

○ Americans’opinionsaboutIslamareshapedbythemedia,politicalrhetoric,andreligiousbias

● Islamophobiaisreal—anddeadly--andbeingusedforpoliticalgain○ Well-fundedanti-Muslimcenterspumpoutfalseinformationfor

politicalpurposes-withcallousdisregardfortheinnocentcasualties● From2008-2013,$206Mhasfunded33Islamophobicmisinformation

centers*including:○ ACT!ForAmerica(actforamerica.org)○ CenterforSecurityPolicy(centerforsecuritypolicy.org)○ MiddleEastForum(meforum.org)○ Jihadwatch(JihadWatch.org)

● In2016,anti-MuslimassaultsreportedtotheFBIspikedto37%--morethanintheyearofthe9/11(2001)attacks

● Inthetwoyearsleadinguptothe2016presidentialelection,DonaldTrumpmadeapproximately30publicstatementsmakingfalseclaimsaboutMuslimsorthreateningdiscrimination

● AsPresident,TrumphaspennedthreeversionsofanexecutiveorderbanningcitizensfromsixMuslimmajoritynationsfromtravelingtotheUnitedStates.

● From2016to2018,thegovernmentcutadmissionsforMuslimrefugeesby91%● MiddleEastcountriesaccountforfewerthan15%oftheworld’spopulationofMuslims● 50deadinChristchurchMosqueMassacreMarch15,2019● 6deadinQuebecCityMosqueShootingJanuary29,2017● SalaamUSA.orgcreatesfriendshipandmutualunderstandingbetweenMuslimsandnon-Muslims.

○ Non-religious,non-partisan,501(c)(3)tax-exemptnon-profitcorporation○ Bringingpeopletogethertoovercomefear○ Provenprocessisdesignedtoguidenon-Muslimsfromfeartofriendship

1. AwarenesseventswithMuslimspeakers2. Mosquevisits3. Friendshipdinners4. Interactivediscussiongroups5. Diplomacy-hostingvisitingdignitaries6. TraveltoMuslimlands

● AmericanMuslimshaveseenthegreatestgrowthofbias-motivatedviolenceintwoofthepastthreeyears.

Islamophobia:FearUsedForPoliticalGainHasDeadlyConsequences

For interviews and review copies:LeannGarms,BBLMedia&Publishingleanngarms@gmail.com214-289-3563

FactSheet

Short: (50)SteveSlocum,authorandpeaceactivist,foundedSalaamUSA.orgwiththegoalofcreatingfriendshipbetweenMuslimsandnon-Muslims.MotivatedbyhisexperienceasamissionaryinKazakhstan,SlocumwroteWhy Do They Hate Us? Making Peace with the Muslim WorldtocounterrampantIslamophobicpoliticalrhetoricandgiveavoicetoIslam’speacefulmainstream.

Medium: (121)SteveSlocum,authorandpeaceactivistwantspeopletounderstandtheirMuslimneighbors.ThefounderofSalaamUSA.org,Slocumrecentlyreleasedhisdebutbook,Why Do They Hate Us? Making Peace with the Muslim WorldtocounterrampantIslamophobicpoliticalrhetoricandgiveavoicetoIslam’speacefulmainstream.In2018,hefoundedSalaamUSA.org,anonpartisan,nonreligiousorganization,whosemissionandmeaningis‘peace’,tocreatemutualunderstandingbetweenMuslims,Christians,Jewsandthenon-religious.ThroughSalaamUSAandhisnewbook,Slocumhopestofightthefear,prejudice,andviolencesurroundingIslamophobia.HeisanambassadorfortheParliamentofWorldReligionsandapresenteratthe2018ParliamentinToronto.Heisafrequentkeynotespeakerandmediaexpert.

Long: (159)SteveSlocum,authorandpeaceactivist,foundedSalaamUSA.orgwiththegoalofcreatingfriendshipbetweenMuslimsandnon-Muslims.MotivatedbyhisexperienceasamissionaryinKazakhstan,SlocumwroteWhy Do They Hate Us? Making Peace with the Muslim World.WhenSlocumtookhisfamilyoffivetoKazakhstanasmissionariestheirtimespentimmersedinthiscultureandtheiconicMuslimhospitalityleftalastingimpression.Oncebackinthestates,Slocumresumedhisengineeringcareer,butgrewuneasywiththegrowinglevelofanimositytowardsMuslims.In2018,hefoundedSalaamUSA.org,anonprofitorganization,whosemissionandmeaningis‘peace’,tocreatemutualunderstandingbetweenMuslims,Christians,Jewsandthenon-religious.Slocumhassetouttobuildbridgesofpeacethroughhisnonprofitandhisnewbook.HeisanambassadorfortheParliamentofWorldReligionsandapresenteratthe2018ParliamentinToronto.Heisafrequentkeynotespeakerandmediaexpert.

For interviews and review copies:LeannGarms,BBLMedia&Publishingleanngarms@gmail.com214-289-3563

STEVE SLOCUM PeaceActivist,AuthorofWhy Do They Hate Us? Making Peace with the Muslim World

www.steveslocum.com

AuthorBio

San Diego, CA (June 28, 2019)—FiveyearsasaChristianmissionaryinAsianKazakhstanwasagamechangerforSteveSlocum,alteringforeverhisviewofMuslimsandhisunderstandingofIslam.Today,withanti-Muslimsentimentatanalltimehigh,SlocumisonamissiontodispelrumorsandmythsaboutMuslimsandshedlightonIslam’speacefulmainstreaminhisdebutbook,Why Do They Hate Us? Making Peace with the Muslim World,andthroughhisworkwithSalaamUSA,thenonprofithefoundedin2018.

In an era of rampant Islamophobia, Slocum’s book is essential reading.”-ToddH.Green,authorofThe Fear of Islam: An Introduction to Islamophobia in the West

Withthereleaseofhisdebutbook,SlocumtakesastandagainstIslamophobiaandencourageshisreaderstoseethroughtherisinganti-MuslimsentimentintheU.S.andbeyond.Bytakingthespotlightofftheextremists,SlocuminsteadexposestheheartoftheeverydayMuslimthroughChristianoutreachandclearsupcommonmisconceptionsaboutjihad,SharialawandtheroleofwomeninIslam.

“In his comprehensive, helpful debut, Slocum encourages Christians to establish friendly relationships with Muslims .”-PublishersWeekly

WhenSlocumreturnedfromhismissionaryworkin199,heresumedhisengineeringcareer,butbecameuncomfortablewiththegrowinganimositytowardsMuslims.“When 9/11 happened, just like everyone else, I was traumatized,”saidSlocum.“Having experienced the generosity and hospitality of the Muslim Kazak culture, I couldn’t fathom Muslim radicals flying packed airliners into skyscrapers filled with people.”

After9/11,theworldbecamemorefearfulofMuslims,andthecurrentpoliticalclimatehasonlyexacerbatedtheissue,culminatingintheriseofhorrifichatecrimesliketheNewZealandMosqueshooting.“I believe many Americans have never healed from the trauma of 9/11. Others have misconceptions about Islam fed by media coverage of extremists,”Slocumadded.

MostAmericansdon’tevenknowaMuslim,and55%saytheyknow“littleornothing”aboutIslam,accordingtoSalaamUSA.“Inthisvoid,Americans’opinionsaboutIslamareshapedbythemedia,politicalrhetoric,andreligiousbias,”saidSlocum.“Islamophobia is a present and rising force in the West.”saysD.Donovan,SeniorRevieweratMidwestBookReview.“(Slocum) takes a stand against this prejudice by advocating a different approach to not just tolerating Muslims, but getting to know them on a personal level. In this case, familiarity does not breed contempt. It leads to understanding.”

ThispersonalinteractionacrossculturesandfaithsisthecruxofSlocum’sworkwithSalaamUSA.Fromawarenesseventstomosquevisitstotheface-to-facefriendshipdinnersanddiscussiongroups,Salaam’sprogramshelpfightfearwithfriendship.

“Sincepeoplefearwhattheydon’tknow,wecreatecurriculumandholdworkshopsthathelppeoplebetterunderstandthepeacefulmainstream–ratherthantheextremismthatdominatestheheadlines,Slocumsaid.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:LeannGarmsJune28,2019 leanngarms@gmail.com

214-289-3563

For interviews and review copies:LeannGarms,BBLMedia&Publishingleanngarms@gmail.com214-289-3563

Author, Former Missionary Pens Book to fight Prejudice, Fear of MuslimsPeace Activist Steve Slocum uses new book,“Why Do They Hate Us? Making Peace with the

Muslim World”, to tackle Islamophobia, shed light on peaceful Muslim mainstream.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:LeannGarmsJune28,2019 leanngarms@gmail.com

214-289-3563

For interviews and review copies:LeannGarms,BBLMedia&Publishingleanngarms@gmail.com214-289-3563

www.steveslocum.com

“There could have been no better timing for the appearance of “Why Do They Hate Us?” than in these modern times,”addedDonovan.

ThebookwhichreleasesonJuly16(TopReadsPublishing)hasgarneredraveearlyravereviewsfromthetradeandscholarsalike,manycallingit‘essentialreading’andathoughtfulfirsthandexaminationofIslamspeacefulmainstream.Afewofthereviewsinclude:

“This book is an important antidote to the rising anti-Muslim sentiment in the U.S. and beyond. It will appeal to those who are seeking the truth about the Islamic faith and those who are hoping to liven their spirit by reading the work of a committed bridge builder.” - Dr. Craig Considine, Department of Sociology, Rice University

“Well-researched, cogently argued, and drawing on the work of scholars as well personal insights, Slocum’s work avoids clichés and deeply examines the complex relationship between Islam and the West. In the end, Slocum unmasks a clash of ignorance and reveals a shared humanity to which we can all relate.” - Muhammed Hassanali, Booklist Starred Review

“Steve Slocum skillfully encourages us to rediscover the beautiful truth about our Muslim sisters and brothers. This book is for the peacemakers, the haters, and everyone in between who long to see more clearly and who dare to believe that God inhabits uncommon friendships and, through them, is remaking the world.”- Jer Swigart, Co-Founder, The Global Immersion Project, Co-Author, Mending the Divides: Creative Love in a Conflicted World

“There could have been no better timing for the appearance of “Why Do They Hate Us?” than in these modern times,”- Midwest Book Reviews

SlocumlaunchesanationalbooktourwithlocalbookeventsatWarwicksinLaJollaonJune30followedbyBarnes&NoblestoresthroughoutSouthernCaliforniabeforeheadingupthecoastasfarasSeattle,WAandVancouver,BCtospreadhismessageofinterfaithpeaceandtolerance.

About Steve Slocum:SteveSlocum,authorandpeaceactivist,foundedSalaamUSA.orgwiththegoalofcreatingfriendshipbetweenMuslimsandnon-Muslims.MotivatedbyhisexperienceasamissionaryinKazakhstan,SlocumwroteWhy Do They Hate Us? Making Peace with the Muslim WorldtocounterrampantIslamophobicpoliticalrhetoricandgiveavoicetoIslam’speacefulmainstream.ThroughSalaamUSAandhisnewbook,Slocumhopestofightthefear,prejudice,andviolencesurroundingIslamophobia.HeisanambassadorfortheParliamentofWorldReligionsandapresenteratthe2018ParliamentinToronto.HeisafrequentkeynotespeakerandmediaexpertbasedinSanDiego.

About SalaamUSA.org:SalaamUSA.orgisanon-profitorganizationthatfocusesoncreatingmutualunderstandingbetweenMuslims,Christians,Jewsandthenon-religious.Salaamusesevents,communityoutreachandmediatoraiseawarenessofIslamfromanunbiased,non-religious,nonpartisanperspective.

Christians and Muslims Come Together During LentSalaam and St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral bring together Muslim leaders to share theirstories and create understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims

WHO: Salaam,anon-religious,non-partisanorganizationthatfocusesoncreatingfriendshipsandamutualunderstandingbetweenMuslimsandnon-Muslims.SalaamUSAhaspartneredwithSt.Paul’sEpiscopalCathedral,aplaceofsanctuaryandsafetythatcelebratesdiversity,andleadersintheMuslimcommunity.

“Salaam’sLentenInterfaithDialogueSeriesgivesnon-MuslimsanopportunitytointeractwithMuslimsfromacrossthespectrum–conservativetoprogressive–inordertogainafirsthandunderstandingoftheMuslim–Americancommunity.”-SteveSlocum,Founder&President,SalaamUSA

WHAT: DuringthecontemplativeseasonofLent,SalaamandSt.Paul’sEpiscopalCathedralwillpresentasix-weekinterfaithdiscussionseriesfeaturingkeyleadersfromtheMuslimcommunity.AttendeeswillhavetheopportunitytointeractwiththefullspectrumofMuslims,progressivetoconservative,enjoyacomplimentarycommunitydinnerandalivelyroundtablediscussion.RegistrationforanyoralloftheweeklyeventsisopentothepublicandavailableatSalaamUSA.orgorhttp://bit.ly/InterfaithSeries.

WHEN: EveryWednesdayMarch13-April17at6p.m.-8:00p.m.

• March13:AHomophobicMother’sJourney-SiddikaJessa-Leader,CEOofWiderLens,runsdevelopmentprogramstoinspireindividualstowardspositiveandauthenticActionbysharingherjourneytoacceptanceofherson’ssamesexmarriage.

• AQueerMuslim’sStory-KilianColin,anAmericanMuslimQueeractivist,isworkingdaysandnightstobringawarenesstotheMuslimQueercommunityissuesandtohelpmoreMuslimQueerstocomeoutwithoutfearsofpersecution.

• March20:IsraelandPalestine:GettingThroughtotheRealIssues-SteveSlocum,authorof“WhyDoTheyHateUs?”andfounderofSalaam,focusesoncreatingmutualunderstandingbetweenMuslimsandnon-Muslims.

• March27:Islam’sRootsinSocialJusticeandToday’sProgressiveMuslims-AniZonneveld,founderofMuslimsforProgressiveValues(MPV),advocatesforegalitarianexpressionsofIslam,forwomen’srights,LGBTQIrights,freedomofexpression,andfreedomofandfromreligionorbeliefbychallenginghumanrightsabusesinthenameofIslam.

For interviews and review copies:LeannGarms,BBLMedia&Publishingleanngarms@gmail.com214-289-3563

MediaAdvisory

www.steveslocum.com