Interfaith

Mississippi Gulf Coast, Hard Hit by Katrina, a Place of Religious Diversity

September 3, 2005

Source: The Grand Forks Herald / The Sun Herald

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/12549073.htm

On September 3, 2005 The Sun Herald reported, "Religion isn't just a seasonal practice here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It is well integrated into the lives of most of those who live here, with a majority attending at least Sunday services. Many also attend midweek prayer service or additional masses... Whereas upstate Mississippi tends to be Southern Baptist, or...

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Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston Organizes "Operation Compassion"

September 3, 2005

Source: Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3337597

On September 3, 2005 the Houston Chronicle reported, "A massive interfaith effort is under way to feed Hurricane Katrina evacuees at large-scale shelters in Houston, including the George R. Brown Convention Center. The plan is not final. But organizers expect religious groups to raise an initial $4.4 million for 30 days of food and to supply 720 volunteers a day to provide and serve...

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Karen Hughes Visits ISNA Convention as Part of Administration's "Public Diplomacy" Efforts

September 3, 2005

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/03/politics/03muslim.html

On September 3, 2005 The New York Times reported, "American Muslims met with Under Secretary of State Karen P. Hughes on Friday at an Islamic convention here to offer advice and assistance as she began an initiative to improve the flagging image of the United States among Muslims overseas. Ms. Hughes began overseeing 'public diplomacy' for the Bush administration last month. She...

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Growing Accommodations for Muslim Students in Public Schools

September 3, 2005

Source: The New York Times

Wire Service: AP

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Muslim-Friendly-Schools.html

On September 3, 2005 the Associated Press reported, "Yasmeen Elsamra had a simple request: while her classmates were eating lunch, she wanted to go off by herself for a few moments to pray. The 14-year-old was told she couldn't, and went home distraught that afternoon in October 2003. Praying five...

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In Biloxi, Houses of Worship Damaged, Destroyed

September 2, 2005

Source: FortWayne.com / Biloxi Sun Herald

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/news/local/12546489.htm

On September 2, 2005 the Biloxi Sun Herald reported, "Churches of all denominations are gone or dangerously damaged along the Coast, but... signs indicate faith can prevail. In Gulfport, St. Mark's and St. Peter's by-the-Sea, among the six destroyed Coast Episcopal churches, will hold Sunday services on their slabs... For those who need the comfort...

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New Guide Released for Hindu Organizations Participating in the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Program

September 2, 2005

Source: Hindu American Foundation

http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/Content/Achievements/media_press_release_federalgrants.html

On September 2, 2005 a Hindu American Foundation Press Release reported, "The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) released today a guide intended to assist Hindu religious organizations in participating in the federal Faith-based and Community Initiatives (FBCI) program. Entitled 'Faith-based and...

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Orange County Officials Move to Ban Elections on All Religious Holidays

September 1, 2005

Source: Orange County Register

http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/09/01/sections/local/local/article_657751.php

On September 1, 2005 the Orange County Register reported, "County officials may be moving to abolish elections on significant religious holidays for all faiths. Supervisor Bill Campbell announced the new policy on Wednesday after apologizing to Jewish community leaders for the scheduling of a special election for the 48th...

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Baccalaureate Services and Pluralism (2005)

The renewal of baccalaureate services in colleges and universities across the country has been met with increasingly diverse student populations. The manners in which schools approach this growing plurality of religious faiths are as diverse as the institutions themselves. Some schools no longer include a baccalaureate service as part of their commencement activities, some maintain a traditional Christian form, and some provide an interfaith service of one type or another.

Public and private institutions alike host interfaith baccalaureate ceremonies, as do religiously affiliated...

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Muslim Leaders to Speak at Bangor Cathedral

August 30, 2005

Source: The Muslim News

http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=9822

On August 30, 2005 The Muslim News reported, "A policeman and religious leader will become the first Muslim to take a service at a North Wales cathedral. Moroccan-born PC Mohammed al-Arabi Lachiri regularly leads Friday prayers at Bangor's Islamic Centre, attracting Muslim worshippers from Anglesey and Gwynedd. The Llangefni-based officer is now taking up an offer to take the pulpit...

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9/11 Commemorative Quilt Made by Muslim Women Could be Lost

August 30, 2005

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/08/30/911_commemoration_quilt_could_be_lost_cause/

On August 30, 2005 The Boston Globe reported, "Days before a quilt created by local Muslim women was set to go on display at the Peabody Essex Museum, it has disappeared -- possibly carried away with the trash. The elaborate quilt, designed in part by Clara Wainwright, an artist who founded the New Year...

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Air Force Issues New Guidelines on Religion

August 30, 2005

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/30/national/30religion.html

On August 30, 2005 The New York Times reported, "The Air Force issued new religion guidelines to its commanders yesterday that caution against promoting any particular faith - or even 'the idea of religion over nonreligion' - in official communications or functions like meetings, sports events and ceremonies. The guidelines discourage public prayers at official Air Force events...

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Modesto County Lawyer Questions Legality of Christian Prayers Before City Council Meetings

August 30, 2005

Source: The Modesto Bee

http://www.modbee.com/local/story/11151123p-11904665c.html

On August 30, 2005 The Modesto Bee reported, "An attorney says the long-standing practice of invoking Jesus Christ in prayers before Modesto City Council meetings offends other faiths and violates constitutional law separating church and state.

While Richard Herman, a Modesto criminal defense lawyer, supports the idea of prayer at government meetings, specific Christian...

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