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Gildásia dos Santos (October 3rd, 1935-January 21, 2000), better known as Mãe Gilda de Ogum or Iyalorixá Gildásia dos Santos e Santos, was a Brazilian social activist and religious leader from the state of Bahia, in Brazil. Santos is known for having been the founder of the Axé Abassa de Ogum, a Terreiro of Candomblé in Itapuã, Salvador. Santos is also well-known for her connection with the Day to Combat Religious Intolerance, a holiday commemorating her death after having suffered an attack against her religious center. The attack on the religious center came in the form of members from the Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus (Universal Church of the Kingdom of God) invading the religious center, physically and verbally abusing its practicing members. Said attack came after a smear campaign had begun the previous year in the Folha Universal, a journal published and distributed by the Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus. The journal claimed that Mãe Gilda had “tricked” local believers, published with a tampered photo of Santos with the title of “charlatan”. Following the death of Santos, the Axé Abassa de Ogum religious center passed down to the daughter of Santos, Jaciara Ribeiro dos Santos, who filed suit against the church responsible for the smear campaign. The holiday honoring the death of Mãe Gilda and religious tolerance is commemorated each 21st of January, the anniversary of her death. The day is meant to bring religions together and fight for greater tolerance amongst Brazilians, regardless of faith.