Islam

Islamic Laws Of Finance a Cushion In Hard Times

March 30, 2009

Author: Stephen Magagnini

Source: The Sacramento Bee

http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1738648.html

The recession gripping the nation has taken less of a toll on American Muslims who follow age-old Islamic laws against paying – or charging – interest.

They've also been shielded by socially responsible retirement plans because Shariah– Islamic law – forbids investments in banks and mortgages as well as tobacco,...

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Muslim 'Unsung Heroes' Honoured

March 30, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7972892.stm

A graffiti artist and teenage martial arts participant have been honoured in a ceremony recognising "unsung heroes" of the Muslim community in Britain.

Other award recipients included an alternative therapist, a Church of Scotland minister, and a master player of the Middle East instrument, the Oud.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, facing a row over...

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East Grand Rapids Man Challenges Popular Image Of Muslims

March 28, 2009

Author: Charles Honey

Source: The Grand Rapids Press

http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/03/east_grand_rapids_man_challeng.html

Muhammad Rasoul, chief operating officer of Global Forex Trading, has been in back-to-back meetings since 5:30 a.m., starting with a conference call to Japan and London. He hopes to be home in time to put his two younger kids to bed.

But in this typical...

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Muslim Americans At Odds Over FBI Contact

March 28, 2009

Author: Jacqueline L. Salmon

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/27/AR2009032702178.html

A behind-the-scenes controversy has broken out among Muslim American leaders over a coalition of Muslim organizations' threat to cut off contact with the FBI because of what it calls the agency's "McCarthy-era" tactics.

The coalition of two dozen Muslim American groups...

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Bulgaria to Ban Religious Symbols In Schools

March 27, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Balkan Insight

http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/17752/

The Bulgarian government has approved a draft bill banning the Muslim head-dress for women and other religious symbols in schools.

"We express our disagreement and bitterness with this decision," Hussein Hafazov of the Chief Mufti office told the Reuters news agency.

"It completely damages the rights as well as the responsibilities of Muslim...

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Muslim Priest And Buddhist Bishop-Elect Are Raising Questions About Syncretism

March 27, 2009

Author: George Conger

Source: Christianity Today

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/marchweb-only/112-53.0.html

Jesus saves, the Episcopal Church teaches, but a growing number of its clergy and leaders believe other faiths may lead to salvation as well. Long divided and distracted by questions of sexual ethics, the Episcopal Church (along with most mainline Protestant communities) are facing a cultural and theological shift...

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UN Body OKs Call to Curb Religious Criticism

March 27, 2009

Author: Frank Jordans

Source: SikhNet

Wire Service: AP

http://www.sikhnet.com/news/un-body-oks-call-curb-religious-criticism

The U.N.'s top human-rights body approved a proposal by Muslims nations Thursday urging passage of laws around the world to protect religions from criticism.

The proposal put forward by Pakistan on behalf of Islamic countries — with the backing of Belarus and...

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Muslim Education: A Long, Long Lesson

March 26, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Economist

http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13375938

Like every good school, Palfrey Junior urges its 360 pupils to spend time on extra-curricular things such as crafts, hobbies and special computer lessons. But here they have to happen before school starts; time after class is spoken for. When the bell goes in mid-afternoon, most pupils head straight to a madrassa...

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Fear Keeps Baghdad Divided And Warring Sects Apart; Few Sunnis Dare Return

March 25, 2009

Author: Hamza Hendawi

Source: The Chicago Tribune

Wire Service: AP

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-ml-iraq-still-cleansed,0,3714187.story

The streets are calmer now. The fighting between Shiites and Sunnis has largely ceased. But this is not a sign of normalcy in the Iraqi capital. It's fear that keeps the peace.

Only an estimated 16 percent of...

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