Author: Peter Capella

Source: Brisbane Times

http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-world/switzerland-confronts-backlash-over-minaret-ban-20091130-k0ub.html

Switzerland confronted an international backlash and charges of intolerance on Monday as the country's Muslim leaders urged calm over a shock vote to ban new minarets.

The Vatican joined Muslim leaders in...

Author: Duke Helfand

Source: The Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-jihad29-2009nov29,0,6075196.story

Jihad Turk -- clean-shaven and youthful -- is telling an interfaith audience that the prophet Muhammad traces his lineage to Abraham, the biblical patriarch. 

Turk explains to the crowd of mostly Christians and Jews that Muslims also revere Jesus and Moses as prophets, and that Islam...

Author: Lauren Yanks

Source: The Poughkeepsie Journal

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20091129/LIFE/911290310/1005/LIFE

Throughout the ages, a variety of cultures have viewed the winter solstice as a time for celebration and renewal. The tilt of the earth’s axis makes the winter solstice the shortest day — and longest night — of the year. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, the word...

Author: Stewart Bell

Source: National Post

http://www.canada.com/news/story.html?id=2278390

An early morning fire that damaged a Buddhist temple used by Toronto's Sri Lankan community for the second time in six months has been classified as an arson.

Toronto police have increased patrols in the area and are consulting with the hate crimes unit after flames engulfed part of the building at about 2 a.m. yesterday.

There were no injuries....