Source: New York Daily News

On August 27, 2002 the New York Daily News reported that "Mohammed Alfaquih, 20, and Mazin Assi, 23, both of Yonkers, are charged with attempting to set fire to the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale [New York] on Oct. 8, 2000...  The incident took place just before the start of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. The men have been charged with committing a hate crime and face up to 15 years in prison... Family and friends of the young Arab [men] accused in a synagogue arson attempt said...

Source: Star Tribune

On August 26, 2002 the Star Tribune reported that "bells will toll and tornado sirens will go off. Muslims, Jews and Christians will pray together. Firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel will be honored. There will be events at the Minnesota History Center, the Metrodome, the Mall of America and the State Capitol...

�������Across Minnesota, an extraordinary number of events are planned for the first anniversary of Sept. 11 to commemorate those killed."

Source: The Times Union

http://www.dharmawalk.org

On August 26, 2002 The Times Union reported that "20 peace marchers began a journey from Schenectady County [New York] to New York City on Sunday...    They plan to reach New York Sept. 11 in time for a candlelight vigil seeking a nonviolent resolution to global conflicts...    Representing various religions and nationalities, marchers started near the site of the former Mohawk Mall in Niskayuna and made their way to the Islamic Community...

Source: Star Tribune

On August 26, 2002 Star Tribune reported that "across Minnesota, an extraordinary number of events are planned for the first anniversary of Sept. 11 to commemorate those killed. Bells will toll and tornado sirens will go off. Muslims, Jews and Christians will pray together. Firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel will be honored. There will be events at the Minnesota History Center, the Metrodome, the Mall of America and the State Capitol."

Source: CAIR

http://www.cair-net.org/dayofunity/

On August 26, 2002, the Council for American Islamic-Relations (CAIR) issued a press release stating that "the Muslim American Society (MAS), under the leadership of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, announced today that it will join with the American Muslim Political Coordination Council (AMPCC) in encouraging local Muslim communities to observe a 'National Day of Unity and Prayer' on September 11, 2002... The AMPCC consists of American Muslim...

Source: The Associated Press

On August 25, 2002 The Associated Press reported that "a year later, [Las Vegas Jami Masjid] mosque members say something good came out of the attacks: a chance to explain who they are and share their religion with outsiders. 'We're Americans,' said Cadry Genena, 57, a member of the Jami Masjid mosque. 'I think some people think if you're a Muslim, you're already on the other side.' Ambar Faridi, 19, said her brother's car was vandalized and one of her friends was beaten up at a bus stop. 'People were naturally angry,' Faridi...

Source: Albuquerque Tribune

On August 24, 2002 the Albuquerque Tribune reported that "three local organizations have teamed up to survey how people born abroad hold on to their culture... language, art and religion [in Albuquerque, New Mexico]... the survey... is aimed at identifying and documenting about 45 ethnic groups with populations of 750 or more... Funding slightly more than $60,000 comes from the city's Urban Enhancement Trust Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, New Mexico Arts and the Arts Alliance...   Interviews are designed to find...

Source: Deseret News

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,405025346,00.html

On August 20, 2002, the Deseret News reported that the Tabesh family's hotel in Heber City, Utah "was burned last month in apparent hate crime... Since part of the hotel her family owns was doused with accelerant and set on fire last month, Samina Tabesh worries those responsible will return... But Monday night, she and other family members relaxed and were smiling during a benefit concert...

Source: The New York Times

On August 20, 2002, The New York Times reported that the Univerisity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's "3,500 freshmen gathered today to discuss their summer reading assignment, which this year was a book about the Koran... The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, in Richmond, Va., upholding a district court finding from last week, ruled against... a conservative Christian group that had sued to stop them... In the courtroom, lawyers for the university had spent the weekend arguing that the discussions were...

Source: The Associated Press

On August 19, 2002 The Associated Press reported that after September 11, "mosques around the country recoiled in fear of a backlash from angry Americans... But in Paterson, the northern New Jersey city... the community's leading mosque responded with openness... Leaders of the mosque welcomed outsiders into their center, held a blood drive and collected $15,000 for the Red Cross victims' fund, and offered classes explaining Islam to those of other faiths. They had Christian neighbors in for brunch, and still offer free...

Source: Hindu Press International

On August 19, 2002, Hindu Press International reported that Swami Satchidananda, "one of the world's most beloved spiritual masters, passed away... From the beginning of his spiritual service, Swami Satchidananda was a leader in the interfaith movement... For more than forty years, he sponsored interfaith worship services and conferences... [He] was the founder and spiritual guide for the worldwide Integral Yoga Institutes... He established Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville near Charlottesville, Virginia. The community is...

Source: The Boston Globe

On August 17, 2002 The Boston Globe reported that "Harvard University this week named the first Islamicist - and the first layman - to head its venerable divinity school... A professor of Middle Eastern studies and religion history, William A. Graham is a recognized authority on the Koran and early Islamic literature. He has also studied Hindu and Buddhist texts. He speaks Arabic, French, and German fluently and reads Greek, Latin, Dutch, Italian, Turkish, Persian, Sanskrit, and Pali, a Buddhist scriptural language."

Source: LJworld

On August 17, 2002 LJworld reported that "KC Pagan Pride Day 2002, a community festival celebrating its fifth year, will [take place on] Aug. 24 in Lenexa's Shawnee Mission Park, and event organizers expect about 250 people from the region to attend... 'The people that come (to the festival) have always been friendly, and I believe Christians would be made to feel welcome. It's about educating people. Yes, it has a very pagan slant, but the main focus is community,' said the Rev. Duane Marshall, event coordinator. Marshall is a legal...

Source: Omaha World-Herald

On August 17, 2002 the Omaha World-Herald reported that in Nebraska, "'Faith to Faith,' a new interfaith radio show, will debut Sept. 8...     The weekly show will discuss religious issues from several different faith perspectives, including Jewish, Christian and Muslim.  Guest panelists will address such topics as faith and ethics, creationism, forgiveness and the afterlife... During the first half of the hourlong show, local and national panelists of different religious persuasions will discuss a topic among themselves...

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

On August 16, 2002 The Columbus Dispatch reported that "for millennia, religions have addressed workplace ethics and business conduct. In recent months, however, such issues have been given heightened attention because of corporate scandals, widespread layoffs and the vast influence of corporations... Lama Kathy Wesley of the Karma Thegsum Choling Buddhist Meditation Center on the West Side, said people in her temple often come to her with questions about work relationships and duties. They sometimes express anxiety about...