Islam

Heeding the Call: Here Come the Muslim 'Imamahs'

May 29, 2010

Author: Ruth Gledhill

Source: The Times

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article7139818.ece

Women imams could be leading prayers in British mosques within 15 years, according to a leading Muslim.

However, resistance from traditionalists means that although women may lead other women, it could be decades before they lead mixed congregations.

The number of female Islamic scholars, or alimahs, is...

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Cahill Draws Flak for Comments On Muslim Community

May 28, 2010

Author: Martin Finucane and Michael Levenson

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/05/cahills_comment.html

Governor Deval Patrick's campaign said today that gubernatorial challenger Tim Cahill was engaging in "fear-mongering" when he criticized Patrick's attendance last weekend at a forum with the Muslim community.

Patrick "has been and will remain committed to meeting with all...

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Spanish City Bans Women From Wearing Face-Covering Islamic Veils In Municipal Buildings

May 28, 2010

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Los Angeles Times

Wire Service: AP

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-eu-spain-islamic-veils,0,316696.story

The Spanish city of Lleida has barred women from wearing face-covering Islamic veils inside its municipal buildings.

The move makes the northern city of Lleida — population of 135,000 — the first in Spain...

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Archbishop Of Canterbury Plants An Interfaith Tree At Masjid Al Husseini

May 28, 2010

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Muslim News

http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/paper/index.php?article=4664

Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, visited the Dawoodi Bohra community at their mosque, Masjid Al Hussein, in Northolt, Middlesex, on May 6. 

The Archbishop met with Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the 52nd Dai Al Mutlaq and spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim Community. Amongst other topics, the two leaders...

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Muslim Leader Spreads Message Of Peace

May 28, 2010

Author: Josh Dulaney

Source: Contra Costa Times

http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_15184640?nclick_check=1

In the face of Islamic extremism, Imam Shamshad Nasir is a tireless champion for the religion and the cause of peace.

The spiritual leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Chino drives out to the Carousel Mall each Tuesday to host "Understanding Islam with Imam Shamshad," a 15-minute radio segment...

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Attackers Hit Mosques Of Islamic Sect In Pakistan

May 28, 2010

Author: Waqar Gillani and Jane Perlez

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/world/asia/29pstan.html

Hafeez Malik heard the gunfire outside the mosque, then shots inside the prayer hall.

“People were dying one after the other,” said Mr. Malik, a 55-year-old architect. “I could count more than 20 people dead around me.”

From inside another mosque several miles away near the central...

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Muslim Beauty Queen Looks to Challenge Stereotypes

May 27, 2010

Author: Omar Sacirbey

Source: The Houston Chronicle/Religion News Service

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/7025671.html

Rima Fakih's path from Lebanon to Las Vegas, where she was crowned Miss USA on May 16, is not unlike other immigrant success stories, but she stands out because of one notable first: She is very likely the first Miss USA who is Muslim.

At a time when many Americans view Muslims with...

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Muslim Community Leaders Meet With New FBI Assistant Director In Charge

May 27, 2010

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Muslim Public Affairs Council

http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=1141

Last week, a number of leaders in Southern California met with the new Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Steven M. Martinez in Los Angeles. Organized by the FBI, the two and a half hour meeting consisted of a forum with a number of community leaders in Los Angeles. Different groups represented included MPAC, the Omar...

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US Envoy to Muslim World Touts Respect And Tolerance

May 27, 2010

Author: Brittany Knotts

Source: Southern California Public Radio

http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/05/27/us-representative-to-the-muslim-world-talks-respec/

In an effort to improve relations between Islam and the West, President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton named Farah Anwar Pandith as the first ever Special Representative to Muslim Communities.

Pandith spoke to Alex Cohen on the Patt...

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NYC Bus Ads Asking 'Leaving Islam?' Cause a Stir

May 27, 2010

Author: Deepti Hajela

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iBg-1E2kjeQkuLZtQMsa4Qtvrw6gD9FUSTLG0

The questions on the ads aren't subtle: Leaving Islam? Fatwa on your head? Is your family threatening you?

A conservative activist and the organizations she leads have paid several thousand dollars for the ads to run on at least...

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Ceremony Held to Mark Thai Unrest

May 26, 2010

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asia_pacific/10160335.stm

Monks and other religious figures have held a vigil in Bangkok a week on from the army's operation to clear the capital of anti-government protesters.

Several hundred monks led ceremonies which featured Christian, Sikh and Muslim leaders in mass prayers to bless the city.

The government says it wants to pursue reconciliation in the...

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Mosque’s Plan to Expand Near Ground Zero Sparks Debate

May 26, 2010

Author: Josh Nathan-Kazis

Source: The Jewish Daily Forward

http://forward.com/articles/128347/

A plan to build a Muslim community center and mosque near the site of the September 11 terrorist attacks in Lower Manhattan has drawn fierce opposition, despite the moderate reputation of the imam spearheading the effort.

Community members voted to support the project, and Jewish leaders who have worked with Feisal Abdul Rauf speak highly of the imam’s...

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