OAKLAND – A US-based nonprofit group is marking the first American Mother’s Day under President Donald Trump in a special way, by sending greeting cards to Muslim and immigrant mothers.

“Since the start of [the Trump] administration we’ve seen executive orders that target both communities,” Kalpana Krishnamurthy, policy director at Forward Together, told HuffPost via email on Wednesday, May 10.

“There are many ways to resist Trump’s policies ― and Forward Together encourages our supporters to contact members of Congress, call the White House, etc,” she went on.

“We can also resist by supporting individual Mamas and their families with extra love and support.”

The group, “Forward Together”, announced that they will distribute 15,000 customized cards to Muslim and immigrant mothers across the United States this month.

The American Mother’s Day takes place annually on the second Sunday of May, this year on May 14.

As part of its annual Mamas Day initiative, the group hires artists to illustrate cards that depict diverse representations of motherhood. This year’s cards focus on immigrant and Muslim families.

Forward Together plans to print and mail the cards to 28 partner organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), to distribute at mosques and community centers.

Since 2011, Forward Together has made Mother’s Day cards that counter “traditional ideas of family and motherhood,” as the group’s website puts it.

“Last year, for instance, the group made and distributed cards for undocumented mothers in detention centers. This year will mark the first time it has created cards specifically for Muslim moms,” Krishnamurthy said.

Countering Hate

The initiative comes amid unprecedented surge hi anti-Muslim hate crimes since the November presidential election, including vandalism and property destruction at mosques and Islamic community centers across the US.

The Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS) in Redmond, Washington, for example, was targeted twice in December alone.

“After our mosque did have its sign vandalized twice in less than a month, what was so inspiring and filled us with hope and strength was the outpouring of community support,” Aneelah Afzali, executive director of MAPS’ American Muslim Empowerment Network, which is participating in the Forward Together campaign, told HuffPost.

“Some community members put handwritten cards of love and support on the cars parked at our mosque during congregational prayers,” she went on.

“Even if such acts may seem small, the power and potential of this gesture of love overpowering hate is profound.”

For those who want to support the Muslim community beyond Mother’s Day, Afzali suggested a few easy ways, including visiting a mosque or speaking out about the positive contributions of American Muslims.

“Help personalize American Muslims for our fellow Americans,” Afzali said.

“Help our fellow Americans get to know who American Muslims really are. This is especially important as many Americans have been filled with so much fear and hate that they may not even be willing to get to know a Muslim or visit a mosque. Our friends and allies can possibly change their hearts and minds, and show that love is greater than hate.”