Interfaith

Teacher of Arabic Connects Wichitans

April 2, 2007

Author: Christina M. Woods

Source: The Wichita Eagle

http://www.kansas.com/212/story/34441.html

Teaching Arabic is Yassin Shourbaji's method of building bridges between communities.

Shourbaji, a retired engineer and member of the Islamic Society of Wichita and the Islamic Association of Mid-Kansas, has been teaching Arabic to English-speakers for four years.

He expanded his course offerings in March to include an introductory course for...

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Building Temples, Churches Test Malaysia's Minorities

April 2, 2007

Source: CNN International

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/04/02/malaysia.religion.ap/

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) -- The cavernous pink Putra Mosque with its soaring minaret is one of the most commanding sights and popular tourist photo backdrops in the city of Putrajaya.

A house of worship for thousands of Muslims in the eight-year-old administrative capital of Malaysia, it is a showcase of the nation's dominant faith -- Islam.

...

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Bringing Faiths Together in Artwork

March 31, 2007

Author: Margaret Gabriel

Source: Lexington Herald-Leader

http://www.kentucky.com/158/story/31013.html

Rumi, an 11th-century Persian mystic and spiritual teacher, is also an oft-quoted poet and philosopher who promoted unity among people of faith 1,000 years ago.

Rumi's reflection "Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart," describes the work of artist Haydar Hatemi, whose exhibit "...

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LDS, Jews Celebrate Heritage

March 31, 2007

Author: Jessica Ravitz

Source: The Salt Lake Tribune

http://www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_5563234

The custom-made pin on Troy Molling's blazer tips off that this evening will be different. It's a Star of David with the Angel Moroni, a fixture on most LDS temples, mounted in the middle.

Baskets outside the Salt Lake LDS Stake Center's main room are filled with kippot or yarmulkes, religious head coverings customarily worn by Jewish men. A sign encourages "All...

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Rabbi Awarded Papal Knighthood for Work on Jewish-Catholic Relations

March 30, 2007

Source: Independent Catholic News

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/rab213.html

Rabbi Leon Klenicki, Director Emeritus of Interfaith Affairs of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), has been named a Papal Knight of the Order of St Gregory by Pope Benedict, for his historic contributions in improving relations between Catholics and Jews.

Rabbi Klenicki is the second ADL interfaith official to receive papal knighthood. In 1986, the late Dr Joseph L. Lichten became the first American...

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Muslim and Jewish Students Bridge Two Faiths

March 30, 2007

Source: Beliefnet/Albuquerque Journal

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/214/story_21471_1.html

Samera Issa is Muslim. Sivan Gordon-Buxbaum is Jewish.

On Thursday, the two girls learned that despite belonging to different religions, they have a lot more in common than being fourth-grade Albuquerque students.

"We eat the same diet: kosher foods," Sivan, 9, said. "Muslim students also use cursive and print like Jewish students. Our language and writing in...

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Ethnic Students in Canada Fill "Untapped Niche" in Funeral Homes

March 29, 2007

Source: CBC News

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2007/03/29/funeral-students.html

Driven by the desire to customize funerals for their communities, a new wave of funeral directors catering to all ethnic backgrounds is entering the business of death in Toronto.

"There's an untapped niche I think that they can fill," said Jeff Caldwell, who directs the two-year funeral service education program at Humber College.

Applications to...

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Women's Interfaith Media Literacy Initiative Launched

March 28, 2007

Source: Independent Catholic News

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/wimli329.html

A major initiative to promote media literacy was launched yesterday when the Women's Interfaith Media Literacy, a network of women from across the major faith communities in England, unveiled its website: http://www.wiml.org

Keynote speaker, the Rt Hon Clare Short, MP, said: " We live in a spin-dominated media culture. Media regulators and producers need to be challenged. Women have to speak up...

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Hindus' Woes "Far From Over"

March 28, 2007

Author: Nirupama Subramanian

Source: The Hindu

http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/28/stories/2007032804311500.htm

ISLAMABAD: As the first person of his community to occupy one of the highest offices in the country, acting Chief Justice Rana Bhagwandas has made the Hindus of Pakistan walk tall, leaders of the tiny minority here said.

But community leaders are also clear that the appointment does not mean that the problems that...

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Catholic-Muslim Turf War Still Resonates at Cordoba Cathedral

March 28, 2007

Author: Tracy Wilkinson

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/features/religion/la-fg-cordoba28mar28,1,3375989,full.story?coll=la-news-religion

CORDOBA, SPAIN — Mansur Escudero knew the answer before he asked.

Approaching the guard at Cordoba's majestic once-a-mosque, now-a-cathedral, Escudero posed the question: May I say Muslim prayers inside?

The slightly...

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Police Plan to Cut Religion Crime

March 28, 2007

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/6502657.stm

The Scottish Police Service (SPS) has unveiled its new action plan to reduce religious hatred and intolerance.

Deputy Chief Constable Colin Mather said seven goals had been identified to help free Scotland from religious hatred, prejudice or discrimination.

Mr Mather is chair of the Religion and Faith Reference Group for the Association of...

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Muslims Celebrate Hindu Festival

March 28, 2007

Source: RxPG News

http://www.rxpgnews.com/india/Muslims-celebrate-Hindu-festival_21347.shtml

Hundreds of Muslims have celebrated Ram Navami- a Hindu festival marking the birth of Lord Ram - in a riot-prone Orissa town.

Muslim residents of Bhadrak town, 160 km from Bhubaneswar, came out of their homes to greet a Hindu procession Tuesday, a police official said. Many joined hands with the organisers to ensure that the festival went off smoothly...

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