San Francisco, CA October 5, 2011 — On September 1, 2011, URI (United Religions Initiative) invited people around the world to sign a pledge to take action against intolerance in their communities. With responses still coming in from more than 50 countries, URI is extending the campaign until November 16, the International Day for Tolerance.

The campaign was inspired by both the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, and the International Day of Peace, September 21. The pledge site, www.uri.org/takethepledge, provides a list of suggested actions people can take to build trust among different groups in their communities and speak out against bigotry. Ideas include organizing an interfaith dinner, visiting a place of worship or community center, or writing a letter-to-the-editor promoting tolerance. Pledge takers are also invited to share their photos, inspiration and ideas.

“I decided to take the pledge because I believe that peace is possible,” wrote Zakaria El hamel a pledge taker from Oujda, Morocco. “We must first become nonviolent individuals.”

“I decided to take the pledge because intolerance affects attitudes and actions,” wrote another pledge taker, Melvin Weiner from Kennebunk, Maine. “Listening and understanding create cooperation and peace.”

Visit http://www.uri.org to see photos and read more quotes from featured pledge takers like these. Each refresh of the page brings a new image.

Partners and sponsors for the campaign include the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, North American Interfaith Network, the Pluralism Project, Interfaith Unity News, 20,000 Dialogues, My Fellow American, Bond zonder Naam (Movement Without a Name), 2011 Hours Against Hate, Covenant of the Goddess, and World Faith.

About URI: URI is a global network of 500 grassroots organizations dedicated to peace and justice through interfaith and cross-cultural cooperation. Its nearly half a million members are overcoming distrust and hostility every day for the good of their communities-mediating religiously motivated conflict; building schools, orphanages and health clinics; campaigning for citizenship rights and more in 78 countries. They touch the lives of an estimated 2.5 million people. The network is led by Executive Director Charles Gibbs, President William E. Swing, and an elected 29-member Global Council of Trustees. For more information visit www.uri.org.