Christianity

Murder of Egyptian Grocery Store Owner Being Investigated as Hate Crime

September 17, 2001

Source: The Associated Press

On September 17, 2001, The Associated Press reported that the FBI will investigate the killing of Egyptian grocery store owner in San Gabriel, California as hate crime. "Adel Karas, 48, was shot around 3:15 p.m. Saturday by two unidentified men who walked into the International Market and opened fire. Karas, who was a Coptic Christian from Egypt, was involved in a confrontation with the two suspects when he was shot several times in the upper torso, authorities said. He later died at a nearby hospital." The killing was initally being...

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Editorials Regarding the Backlash, Scapegoating: Immediate Responses (Sept 13-16)

September 16, 2001

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On September 16, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution published a series of letters to the editor under the heading "Americans Express Unity." One letter stated: "We Christians and Jews have more in common with our Muslim brothers and sisters than we have differences. I pray that we remember we are believers in the same God and are all children of Abraham. As we hear of more news reports of the possible involvement of radical Islamic terrorists, please remember that these are in the minority. Pray for all...

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Increasing Intolerance in US

September 16, 2001

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On September 16, 2001, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published the article, "As we retaliate, can we tell friend from foe?" This piece asks, "The United States is at war against terrorism. But who is the enemy? An equally important question, in light of mounting indiscriminate attacks on Arabs, Muslims and even Sikhs in this country, is: Who is not?" The article continues by placing the radical Islamists within the context of global Islam. The article also provides basic information about Islam as well as Sikhism, and...

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Religious Communities and Advocacy Organizations Issue Statements Regarding Backlash, Scapegoating

September 14, 2001

Source: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

http://www.nccbuscc.org/comm/archives/2001/01-163.htm

On September 14, 2001, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a joint statement with U.S. Muslim leaders, which read, in part: "Catholics and Muslims meet regularly as friends and religious partners in dialogue and engage together in many community projects. We are fully committed to one another as friends, believers, and citizens of this great land. We abhor all...

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Increasing Diversity in Portland, Maine

September 14, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On September 14, 2001, The New York Times reported on the vigils and interfaith services being held in cities across the United States. At Boston's vigil, "Thousands of people waved the American flag today, sang 'America The Beautiful' and listened to words of peace and tolerance at a vigil for victims of the terrorist attacks. 'What we must fear most is not evil, it is becoming evil ourselves,' said Rabbi Barry Starr of Temple Israel in Sharon, Mass., and one of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian clerics leading the...

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Multifaith, Interfaith Responses to Terrorist Attacks (September)

September 13, 2001

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On September 13, 2001, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on an interfaith service that gathered Milwaukee's diverse religious communities, "Drawn by a common quest for healing, justice and peace..." Speakers included "mainline Christians, Jews, Muslims, a Sikh, a Buddhist, a Baha'i, a Hindu and a Quaker." The article quoted religious leaders in their prayers of peace and unity, including Rev. Tonen O'Connor of the Milwaukee Zen Center. "'The Buddha perceived, not that we could be one, but that we are one. In our essence...

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Citizens Act Locally to Support Muslim Neighbors

September 13, 2001

Source: The Kansas City Star

On September 13, 2001, The Kansas City Star reported that "Kansas Citians of many races and religions are reaching out to area Muslims, offering support in response to backlashes that began after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon." Following a series of threats reported by local media, the Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City has since received phone calls from people who wish to apologize for the intolerance of others and to offer their support. Many of these callers were from area churches. The article...

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National Day of Prayer and Remembrance

September 13, 2001

Source: Reuters

September 13, 2001, Reuters. Ari Fleischer, White House spokesman, announced that President Bush had declared Friday, September 14 as a day of prayer and remembrance. "Fleischer said Bush planned to attend a prayer service in Washington Friday and to urge U.S. citizens to take time out of their day to attend services at churches, synagogues and mosques 'to pray for our nation, to pray for the families of those who were victimized by this act of terrorism.'"

Multifaith, Interfaith Responses to Terrorist Attacks (September)

September 13, 2001

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

On September 13, 2001, The Christian Science Monitor reported on the acts of goodness that have followed the terrorist attacks. "From the terror comes humanity. Thousands of New Yorkers line up to give blood. A Presbyterian church hands out cups of cold water to parched walkers stranded in the city. Medical students volunteer their services at hospitals. The largest Jewish temple in New York asks a Christian minister and a Muslim holy man to participate in Rosh Hashana, part of the Jewish High Holidays, to show that...

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Multifaith, Interfaith Responses to Terrorist Attacks (September)

September 13, 2001

Source: The San Francisco Chronicle

On September 13, 2001, The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Interfaith events in the Bay Area in which people of "a wide range of traditions called for a large outdoor interfaith memorial service where residents could mourn for the victims as well as meditate on the impact of racism." The article quoted Charles Gibbs of the United Religions Initiative: "'We need to draw distinctions between people who are dedicated to violence regardless of religion and people who are dedicated to peace regardless of their religion.'"...

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Americans Turn to Religion

September 12, 2001

Source: The Baltimore Sun

On September 12, 2001, The Baltimore Sun reported, "As the shock and horror of yesterday's terrorist attacks began to sink in, churches, synagogues and mosques opened their doors for formal services, shared petition and quiet meditation." The article also made note of an interfaith service with Jews, Muslims, and Christians in Columbia, Maryland. "Under the Star of David, Islam's crescent moon and other symbols of world religions, about 85 people prayed for the victims, their families - and for those responsible for the attacks. 'I...

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Americans Turn to Religion

September 12, 2001

Source: USA TODAY

On September 12, 2001, USA Today reported "People of every faith, and none, brought their pain, fear and helpless sadness to churches, synagogues and mosques. And clergy reached out with comfort -- and cautions." The article explained that, although the Muslim community had joined other religious groups in condemning the attack and helping the victims, "They also warned their own believers to keep a low profile. In the first few days after the attack...Muslims reported more than 200 incidents of harassment, threats and actual violence....

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Festival Draws Thousands to Boston's North End

August 26, 2001

Source: The Boston Globe

On Sunday August 26, 2001, The Boston Globe reported that the annual festival in Boston's North End honoring St. Anthony of Padua drew thousands of Italian-Americans. At the center of the festival "stood a shrine to one of the most revered and holy saints in Catholicism: the life-size statue of St. Anthony and the 'blessed relics,' believed to be fragments of the 800-year-old remains of the saint himself...[that] made the trip from Padua, Italy...Event organizers estimated that more than 50,000 people-most of Italian decent-attended...

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