Interfaith

Southern Baptist Convention's Leader: Pray for Conversion of Muslims

November 27, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On November 27, 2001, The New York Times reported "Baptist Head Urges Prayers for Muslim Conversion." The article noted, "Mr. Merritt said Baptists should pray for Muslim conversions on Dec. 16, at the end of Ramadan." The article continued, "Calling Christianity 'the only true religion,' Mr. Merritt said that 'every other religion gives a false hope of having a relationship with God.' 'That's not what I say,' he added. 'That's what Jesus says.'"

Arson at New York Sikh Center, Gobind Sadan USA

November 27, 2001

Source: The Oswego Palladium-Times

On November 27, 2001, The Oswego Palladium-Times reported that "a substantial reward is expected to be offered for information relating to a fire which struck a Sikh house of worship Nov. 18." The article continued, "They are also looking at the fire in the former farmhouse as a possible hate crime, a federal offense...Investigators say the fire in Palermo is suspicious because it follows two other apparent acts of vandalism at the site." The article quoted Ralph Singh, co-founder of Gobind Sadan USA: "'The irony of this...

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Arson at New York Sikh Center, Gobind Sadan USA

November 27, 2001

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...

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Southern Baptist Convention's Leader: Pray for Conversion of Muslims

November 26, 2001

Source: SBC Baptist Press News

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=12242

On November 26, 2001, The SBC Baptist Press News reported, "Merritt calls on Baptists to fast and pray on last day of Ramadan." The article quoted James Merritt, president of the Southern Baptist Convention: "'I call on all our Southern Baptists to pray and fast that God will miraculously and supernaturally reveal himself through Jesus Christ to Muslims on that day ... We need to fast because we do believe...

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American Academy of Religion Addresses Terrorism

November 25, 2001

Source: The Denver Post

On November 25, 2001, The Denver Post featured an article on the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion where "in many of the hundreds of sessions, whether the subject was mythology or Egyptology, the conversation eventually turned to terrorism, Islam, war, peace and how the world's many religions can live with each other...A new book by Diana L. Eck, 'A New Religious America,' which chronicles religious practices in America, was the subject of a two-hour panel composed of people of several faiths...'The American ideal...

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Non-Muslim Teachers and Students at Muslim Schools

November 25, 2001

Source: The Chicago Tribune

http://chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0111250380nov25.story?coll=chi%2Dnewsnationworld%2Dhed

On November 25, 2001, The Chicago Tribune featured the article, "Different faiths, common bond" about the positive and broadening experiences of non-Muslim students and teachers in local Muslim schools. "Although Christian teachers are a presence in almost every Muslim school, Christian...

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Interfaith Services Raise Questions for Clergy Members

November 24, 2001

Source: The Washington Post

On November 24, 2001, The Washington Post reported that "the events of Sept. 11 prompted an unprecedented number of interfaith services nationwide, featuring leaders of different religions praying for peace and remembering the more than 4,100 terrorist attack victims. But some religious leaders have questioned the appropriateness of their clergy participating in such gatherings...'The basic question is: Does my participation enhance my witness of Jesus Christ or obscure it?' said the Rev. Karl K. Schmidt, pastor of Bethany...

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Rev. Franklin Graham Criticizes Islam

November 24, 2001

Source: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On November 24, 2001, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette featured the editorial "Casualty of War; Franklin Graham's comments strain religious tolerance." It reads, in part: "Religious leaders of all stripes are entitled to their theology. What they should bear in mind is that if they insist on saying things that antagonize millions of their neighbors, they won't be known as paradigms of tolerance and peace -- or enlisted as unofficial presidential chaplains."

Religious Diversity in Arkansas

November 24, 2001

Source: The North West Arkansas Times

On November 24, 2001, The North West Arkansas Times featured an article on the research conducted by a Pluralism Project student affiliate that mapped religious centers in Arkansas. The article reported that Barbee compiled profiles of Buddhist and Islamic centers in Arkansas, including Wat Buddhasamakeedham, a Thai Buddhist temple, the Islamic Center of Northwest Arkansas, and the Ecumenical Buddhist Society of Little Rock. Eric Barbee, a student at the Divinity School of Harvard, is working on a master's in...

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Chicago Muslims Plan Ramadan Display

November 24, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 24, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that "Chicago Muslims plan to mark the current holy month of Ramadan by building a minaret display at Daley Plaza in early December, joining Christians and Jews as they decorate the public square for their holidays. The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago has preliminary approval to build a 30-foot reproduction of the tower used to call Muslims to prayer and an illuminated crescent moon affixed to a dome. The display will stand alongside a Hanukkah menorah and...

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Rev. Franklin Graham Criticizes Islam

November 24, 2001

Source: Star Tribune

On November 24, 2001, The Star Tribune reported, "The Rev. Franklin Graham said in Minneapolis this week that he is concerned with the way Islamic law is enforced in several countries, and not with the people or the faith itself." However the article continued by quoting Graham as saying, "'I believe it is a very evil and wicked religion,'" with reference to Islam. "Aly R. Abuzaakouk, executive director of the American Muslim Council, said that Graham's remarks have caused pain and confusion 'and are in stark contrast to the unity and...

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Arson at New York Sikh Center, Gobind Sadan USA

November 24, 2001

Source: The Valley News

http://www.valleynewsonline.com/news/2001/1124/Front_Page/017.html

On November 24, 2001, The Valley News reported, "Sikh worship house fire evidence sent to federal lab in Maryland." The article noted, "Evidence from the fire that destroyed a Sikh house of worship in the Town of Palermo may take up to two weeks to analyze, according to local and federal law-enforcement officials." Co-founder Ralph Singh was quoted as saying, "'When...

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Ramadan and Thanksgiving

November 23, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On November 23, 2001, The New York Times featured a story on the Bashir family who, in observance of Ramadan "waited until sunset... [before] they gathered around the dining room table with other relatives, Muslim, Christian and Jewish, offering thanks in their suburban Chicago home... While some Muslim Americans believe that Thanksgiving conflicts with their religion, many, like the Bashirs, observe the holiday, saying that, of all the American holidays, Thanksgiving is most in harmony with the teachings of Islam."

EEOC Reports, Responds to Workplace Bias After September 11

November 22, 2001

Source: The Boston Globe

On November 22, 2001, The Boston Globe reported, "Workplace bias claims jump after September 11." The article noted, "The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has received 123 complaints of workplace bias nationwide against Muslims between Sept. 11 and Nov. 20, up from 47 for the same period last year. Alarmed by the increase, the EEOC joined this week with the US Justice and Labor Departments in urging employers to promote tolerance on the job." Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, now a professor at Brandeis University was...

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Ramadan and Thanksgiving

November 22, 2001

Source: The Washington Post

On November 22, 2001, The Washington Post reported that "the similarity between the Southern Maryland Islamic Center's Interfaith Ramadan Thanksgiving Dinner and the original event that inspired it did not go unmentioned by one event host" who said "'the first Thanksgiving was a way for two cultures to join and to share food with families and to give thanks for all the blessings of friendship... Things have not changed so much that this cannot be done today as well'...Many local religious leaders said they felt it was important...

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