Author: Niyaz Pirani

Source: The Orange County Register

http://www.ocregister.com/news/baha-230733-yazdi-people.html

Heads down and eyes closed, the people gathered in the Yazdi family living room are listening intently.

"These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of thy glad-tidings," a woman reads from a small prayer book. "Oh, God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees, even as it has...

Author: Bronislaus B. Kush

Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette

http://www.telegram.com/article/20100124/NEWS/1240408/1101

Delegate members of the Massachusetts Council of Churches were challenged this weekend to continue to seek common ground in addressing the social, economic, and environmental problems racking the world. 

Additionally, they were urged to take a hard look at their own commitments to the ecumenical movement...

Author: Dana Chivvis

Source: AOL News

http://www.sphere.com/nation/article/after-earthquake-haitians-in-the-us-turn-to-religion-for-answers/19328395

Since last week's earthquake, the Rev. Donelson Thevenin, a priest at the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn, where many of New York's Haitians live, has been helping his congregation deal with the tragedy. He has prayed with them,...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: KCRG

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/82524542.html

“Disaster comes and comes again, we dare not turn and walk away.”

The words, sung to the tune of the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” served as the theme of an interfaith prayer service for Haiti Saturday at Christ Episcopal Church, 220 40th St. NE, in Cedar Rapids.

The service was meant to “give a message to people that...

Author: E.J. Schultz

Source: The Fresno Bee

http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1792504.html

James Fredrick Menefield lost his freedom eight years ago when he was sent to prison for murdering his girlfriend. But the Pleasant Valley State Prison inmate says he should not lose the right to follow dietary rules that come with his strict Muslim faith.

The state of California is on the verge of agreeing with him.

In proposed regulations,...

Author: Sam Hodges

Source: The Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/fortworth/stories/012210dnmetinterfaith.3dfad3e.html

For some evangelical pastors, pushing the envelope means preaching without a tie, or having the congregation sing praise music instead of hymns.

But the Rev. Bob Roberts Jr., pastor of 3,000-member NorthWood Church in...

Author: Michelle Boorstein

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/20/AR2010012004488.html?hpid=moreheadlines

A poll about Americans' views on Islam concludes that the strongest predictor of prejudice against Muslims is whether a person holds similar feelings about Jews.

The Gallup poll, released Thursday, also finds that people who report...

Author: Julia Zappei

Source: The Boston Globe

Wire Service: AP

http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2010/01/21/muslim_prayer_room_set_afire_amid_malaysia_tension/

Vandals tried to burn down two Muslim prayer rooms in Malaysia on Thursday, following a string of arson attacks on churches amid a dispute over the use of the word "Allah" by Christians....

Author: Tara Hagan

Source: The Observer

http://www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2268897

Members of the local Baha'i community are keeping a close eye on a controversial trial underway in Iran.

"We're deeply concerned," said Afsaneh Yazdani, secretary for the Baha'i community in Sarnia, where, members are praying for seven fellow Baha'is currently on trial.

The group -- two women and five men -- have been jailed since...

Author: James McGinnis

Source: PhillyBurbs.com

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/92/2010/january/20/hindus-honor-martin-luther-king.html

Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament sat before the elephant statue of the Hindu god Ganesh.

The monsignor of a Roman Catholic Church politely accepted the ceremonial flames of Aarti, the highest love of Bhagwan (a Hindu name for God...

Author: Whitney Woodward

Source: The Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/ct-x-c-0122-muslims-20100120,0,7141006.story

Frustrated by the negative Muslim stereotypes fueled by high-profile acts of violence and terrorism, a group of Chicago's faith and community leaders are launching a campaign to eradicate these misconceptions by building new relationships across ethnic and racial...

Author: Barbara Bradley Hagerty

Source: NPR

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122770590

Erol Josue lost more than two dozen friends and extended family in Haiti's devastating earthquake. The Voodoo priest, who lives in New York, says he has spent the past week saying traditional Voodoo prayers.

"We thank God that we are still alive," he says, "but we also pray to give a good route, to give a good path for the...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Herald-Tribune

Wire Service: AP

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100120/ARTICLE/100129995?Title=Runaway-girl-to-remain-free-of-Muslim-parents

A runaway teenage girl from Ohio who converted from Islam to Christianity has reached a court settlement that allows her to remain free of her Muslim parents.

The...

Author: Saadia Khan

Source: Muslim Public Affairs Council

http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=1012#axzz0dMB4zuyA

This week, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa reminded the faith-based leaders that Los Angeles was the second most "under-counted" city in the 2000 Census. During the 210 Census Citywide Interfaith Breakfast, he told leaders of Muslim, Christian, Catholic, and Jewish communities many Los Angeles residents did not receive their fair share of...