Source: Wisconsin State Journal

http://www.wisconsinstatejournal.com/local/8446.html

On December 6, 2001, the Wisconsin State Journal featured an article on Rev. Jamyi Witch, the new Wiccan chaplain at Waupun Correctional Institution in Wisconsin. "Rep. Scott Walker, R-Wauwatosa, head of the assembly committee that egulates prison, said he was 'offended' by Witch's religion and was looking into whether she had been hired in defiance of the state's hiring freeze... At...

Source: The Pew Research Center

http://www.people-press.org/120601rpt.htm

On December 6, 2001, The Pew Research Center for People and the Press released its report on Post-September 11 attitudes. The report indicated: "The Sept. 11 attacks have increased the prominence of religion in the United States to an extraordinary degree, but not at the expense of acceptance of religious minorities. Fully 78% now say religion's influence in American life is growing -- up from 37% eight months ago...

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On December 5, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported that "members of St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Reston, Va., organized an escort service" for Muslim women in their community that felt afraid to go outside in the wake of September 11. This "program was one of three honored on Capitol Hill for acts of compassion since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks... The awards recognized 'just a few of the many Americans here in the Washington area and around the nation who responded to the terrorist attacks by...

Source: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On December 5, 2001, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that a 'sold-out' crowd of more that 350 people curious about Islam "flowed into Oakland's Islamic Center of Pittsburgh for the seventh Humanity Day -- a chance to give non-Muslims a peek at the religion." Among other activities "non-Muslim women were invited to try the hijab, or head covering, and showed how to put it on and tie it. Many wore them throughout the evening."

Source: Los Angeles Times

On December 5, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that "Temple Beth El in Aliso Viejo [CA] will celebrate the first night of Hanukkah... with a three-faith service that will include an observance of Islam's Ramadan and Christianity's Advent. The interfaith gathering was designed as a sign of peace between religions in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks and made even more poignant by recent violence in Israel, organizers say."

Source: Department of Energy

http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases01/decpr/pr01203_v.htm

On December 4, 2001, The Department of Energy issued a press release stating, "Secretary of Energy Abraham Joins Members of Congress to Present Distinguished Citizen Awards." It read, in part: "Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham was joined by Members of Congress and the Chairman of the Arab American Institute in a ceremony on Capitol Hill honoring distinguished citizens with a...

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

On December 4, 2001, The Columbus Dispatch reported on a Columbus, OH community Iftar or meal that breaks the daylight fast of the Muslim holy month, Ramadan. "For years, the Council on American-Islamic Relations has hosted the evening to explain Islamic culture and build friendships. Such an outreach paid off after Sept. 11. Many in the community already understood that Muslims, like Christians and Jews, follow God's laws." The Mayor of Columbus attended the event as did the Superintendent of schools and other government...

Source: Omaha World-Herald

On December 3, 2001, the Omaha World-Herald featured an article on an interfaith gathering at Oamha, Nebraska's Temple Israel. "In the space of a half-hour, a Muslim call to prayer; Jewish prayers and rituals that mark the end of the Sabbath; and two Christian prayers were uttered by their respective leaders in Temple's spacious social hall as 300 people from all three faiths looked on."

Source: Los Angeles Times

On December 1, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that Muslim and Jewish students at UCLA gathered for the daily breaking of the Muslim students' fast for Ramadan, and ate a kosher meal together. "The joint iftar celebration... reflected a burgeoning effort to forge ties between young followers of the two faiths, overcoming historical campus tensions between them, the emotions fueled by the Mideast conflict and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks."

Source: The Dallas Morning News

On December 1, 2001, The Dallas Morning News reported that "the Southern Baptist Convention called for Baptists to pray and fast for Muslims' conversion to Christianity on the final day of Ramadan. Meanwhile, there is a growing movement among some Christians to respect and observe Islam's holiest month." These links provide futher information on the "Southern Baptist Covention" and Christians "Respecting Ramadan "

Source: The Times-Picayune

On November 30, 2001, The Times-Picayune featured the article "Giving thanks to the Sikhs." It noted, "St. Philip Community Center wishes to thank the members of the Sikh community of New Orleans ... for their generous contribution of food baskets which provided Thanksgiving meals to many families in need. The Sikh community of New Orleans has been supporting this cause for the past 13 years." The St. Philip Community Center operates under the auspices of the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Source: Newsday

On November 28, 2001, Newsday reported, "Southern Baptist Call to Prayer; Group's leader asks vigil, hopes for religious conversions of Muslims." The article noted that, "In past years, Southern Baptists have prayed for the conversion of Jews and Hindus on the holy days of those faiths, often provoking anger and consternation." The article indicated concerns from Muslim leaders such as Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations: "Hooper noted that Merritt's call comes at a difficult time for American Muslims, when many are...

Source: The Pluralism Project

http://www.pluralism.org/about/morning_prayers.php

On November 28, 2001, Dr. Diana Eck's Morning Prayers at Memorial Church of Harvard University included her reflections on the arson at Gobind Sadan: "After the arson attack, Ralph [Singh] described the outpouring of support and love. 'Complete strangers were offering money to help rebuild the shrine, saying this is not the America they stood for, veterans saying this is not the America they fought...

Source: Gobind Sadan USA

http://www.gobindsadan.org/gsusa/messagetoamerica.shtml

On November 27, 2001, Baba Varsa Singh ("Babaji"), founder of Gobind Sadan, offered a "Message to America" about the suspected arson. "'Perhaps this is God's way of giving us the opportunity of bringing people of all faiths together to share in rebuilding this sacred house of God and making it an even more beautiful place.'" He offered thanks and cited the ways in which the community has...