Author: Michael Conlon

Source: Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4AB6VR20081112

A coalition of more than 200 religious groups urged U.S. President-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday to sign an order, once he takes office, banning torture by any federal government entity.

"This is an opportunity where one official could ... with one stroke of a pen, really change history here," said Linda Gustitus,...

Author: Lance Hernandez

Source: The Denver Channel

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Media for Freedom

http://www.mediaforfreedom.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=12378

Hindus have lauded the groundbreaking three-day dialogue between Catholics and Muslims, which concluded at Vatican City on Thursday, and called it a “step in the right direction”.

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was wonderful to watch the world’s...

Author: John Hanc

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/giving/11SERVE.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

In a circle of adolescents and adults, two heads lean toward each other in discussion. One of them, Rachel Weiss, an adult rabbinical student, wears a yarmulke; the other, Halima Bakillah, a high school student, wears a hijab, or head scarf.

They are part of a larger group meeting on a recent Sunday...

Author: Ron Barnett

Source: Greenville Online

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20081109/NEWS01/811090324/1001/NEWS01

Pinto beans and cornbread will be on the table but an intimate dialogue about faith will be the main item on the menu when a group of about 10 people from a variety of religious backgrounds gathers at Rosemary Bomar's home on Nov. 13.

That gathering will be one of 10 across the Greenville area...

Author: Katherine Zoepf and Sam Dagher

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/world/middleeast/09iraq.html

Iraq’s Executive Council ratified on Saturday a much-debated bill that gives Iraqi religious minorities fewer guaranteed seats on provincial councils than the United Nations mission in Iraq had recommended.

The Executive Council — President Jalal Talabani and the two vice presidents —...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/06/asia/AS-Kyrgyzstan-Religion-Law.php

Kyrgyz deputies passed legislation Thursday to strengthen government control over religious groups, a move critics have attacked as a breach of international human rights standards.

Proselytism would be strongly curtailed in the impoverished, mostly Muslim Central Asian nation under the...

Author: Debra Rubin

Source: The New Jersey Jewish News

http://www.njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/110608/njMuslimsJewsPackRutgers.html

In what both sides hope will be the first of many interfaith encounters, Muslims and Jews at Rutgers University packed a student lounge in New Brunswick to discuss how they view dating, religious holidays, and food prohibitions.

At the Oct. 30 program, arranged by Rutgers Hillel and the...

Author: Rachel Donadio

Source: The New York Times

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/7705413.stm

A cross-party group of Jewish and Muslim MPs are beginning a tour of English universities to promote better interfaith relations between students.

The Coexistence Trust will address tensions created on campuses by the Middle East conflict.

It aims to highlight similarities in the histories of the two communities and encourage unity...

Author: Ricky Yudhistira

Source: The Jakarta Post

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/11/02/prince-charles-vows-boost-interfaith-dialogue.html

The Prince of Wales arrives at Halim Perdanakusumah Airport, East Jakarta, by Royal Air Force plane, Saturday. The prince is on a four-day visit to Indonesia to promote understanding on interfaith matters and to give a presidential lecture on forestry issues....

Author: Andrew Hammond

Source: Reuters

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20081110-0537-saudi-interfaith.html

World leaders' talks this week at the United Nations on a Saudi push for world peace and religious dialogue were hailed by some as a triumph for Saudi Arabia, but critics dismissed the meeting as a public relations exercise.

The absolute monarchy has aimed to boost its global image after the Sept 11,...

Author: Robert Verkaik

Source: The Independent

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/multifaith-prayers-to-be-considered-for-parliament-981745.html

Plans to end the dominance of the Anglican faith at the daily opening of Parliament and have multi-faith prayers modelled on BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day are to be considered by the House of Lords' procedure committee.

The...

Author: Naval Surface Force, Atlantic Public Affairs

Source: Navy Compass

http://navycompass.com/content/view/881/322/

A new series of seminars is rocking the religious boat aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18). The series is designed to teach Sailors about different cultures and ways of looking at the world. This is all in an effort to have Sailors achieve a better understanding of their shipmates and provide them with an introduction to the regional cultures...

Author: Nicole Neroulias

Source: Religion News Service