Islam

Muslim World Reacts Positively to Obama's Outreach, And Expectations Have Been Raised

January 30, 2009

Author: Warren P. Strobel

Source: The Miami Herald/McClatchy Newspapers

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/880950.html

In 10 days, President Barack Obama has transformed the U.S. dialogue with the Muslim world.

His tools have been carefully chosen words of reconciliation, the decision to close Guantanamo Bay prison and the early dispatch of a Middle East peace envoy.

"The reaction has been phenomenal....

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Arena: On Obama's Chat With Al Arabiya

January 29, 2009

Author: Fred Barbash

Source: Politico

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/18117.html

On Obama’s interview with Al Arabiya, the Arabic satellite news channel...

Joseph S. Nye, Harvard University: “This is what ‘smart power’ means in practice!”

Shibley Telhami, University of Maryland: “In these few remarks, he conveyed a different view of the Middle East than we have heard in the past...

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Confused About Muslims? Give One a Call

January 28, 2009

Author: Lindsay Wise

Source: The Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/6233925.html

Ever wonder what the Quran has to say about terrorism? Why Muslim women wear veils? What Islam teaches about Jesus?

Ask a Muslim. All you have to do is call 1-877-WHY-ISLAM.

A billboard advertising the toll-free number sprang up last month on FM 1960 near Interstate 45. Similar ones have also been posted in...

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US Muslims Hopeful But Wary Of Status Under Obama

January 28, 2009

Author: Rachel Zoll

Source: The Washington Post

Wire Service: AP

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/28/AR2009012801599.html

Many American Muslim leaders are eager to help President Barack Obama improve the U.S. image in the Islamic world, but they worry that their contribution might not always be welcome. The broad suspicion that has dogged them at home since...

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Outreach to Muslims Starts New Path In Mideast

January 27, 2009

Author: Robert Burns

Source: The Associated Press

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090127/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/obama_mideast;_ylt=An5nthcMeYhRY_CFJBPO06U7Xs8F

Even before crafting its own Middle East strategy, the Obama administration is making clear that its approach will differ — in tone and style, if not also in substance — from its predecessor's.

In choosing an Arab network for his...

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On Arab TV Network, Obama Urges Dialogue

January 27, 2009

Author: Alan Cowell

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/world/middleeast/28arabiya.html?emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

In an interview broadcast Tuesday on one of the Middle East’s major news channels, President Obama struck a conciliatory tone toward the Islamic world, saying he wanted to persuade Muslims that “the Americans are not your enemy.” He also said the moment was ripe for...

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Indonesian Muslims Banned From Practicing Yoga

January 26, 2009

Author: Robin McDowell

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/world/20090126_ap_indonesianmuslimsbannedfrompracticingyoga.html

Muslims in Indonesia are banned from practicing yoga that contains Hindu rituals like chanting, the country's top Islamic body said Monday, echoing concerns by some religious groups elsewhere about its effect on their faith.

...

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Human Rights Celebrated During Muharram

January 23, 2009

Author: Barbara Karkabi

Source: The Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/6227370.html

During the month of Muharram, Anjum Bilgrami makes extra visits to his mosque, reviews special readings in the Quran and prays for the rights of people everywhere, especially civilians injured and killed during the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Muharram, which began Dec. 29 and runs through January, means many things in...

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Celebrating Our Historic 44th President

January 23, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Muslim Public Affairs Council

http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=774

The Muslim Public Affairs Council today joins millions of Americans and people around the world in celebrating this historic day on which we have witnessed the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States of America.

On this unique and moving day, we stop to pray that the inauguration of Barack Obama will usher in an era of much-needed change....

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Nigeria: Nirec Moves to Stop Religious Crisis In Country

January 23, 2009

Author: Ayegba Israel Ebije

Source: AllAfrica.com

http://allafrica.com/stories/200901230406.html

The Nigeria Inter Religious Council (NIREC) has concluded plans to train 250 youths on how to overcome the issue of reli-gious crisis in Nigeria that has led to the loss of so many lives in Nigeria.

The national coordinator, Pro-fessor Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this in Minna yesterday in an address he delivered at the first Nigerian youths summit on...

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An Interfaith Commitment for Peace

January 23, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Richmond Times Dispatch

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/an_interfaith_commitment_for_peace/186973/

We, members and leaders of the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities in the Greater Richmond area - all having deep and symbolic ties to the land and peoples of the Middle East - are anguished by the events unfolding in Israel and Gaza. Recognizing the...

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W.Va. Farmers Aim At Growing Muslim Market

January 23, 2009

Author: Tom Breen

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/business/20090123_ap_wvafarmersaimatgrowingmuslimmarket.html

In a room where farmers in camouflage baseball caps and John Deere jackets mix with women in head scarves, Larry Gardner is scolding himself for forgetting Ramadan last year.

After 30 years raising lambs, the Waverly farmer is learning something new...

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With Ethiopian Pullout, Islamists Rise Again In Somalia

January 22, 2009

Author: Stephanie McCrummen

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/01/21/ST2009012104112.html

The departure of the last Ethiopian tanks from Somalia's capital is ushering in a new phase of conflict in a nation known for clan warfare: a battle for power among militias flying Islamist banners.

In some ways, the situation in Somalia, where people have long practiced a...

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Anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders Faces Trial Over Controversial Film

January 22, 2009

Author: David Charter

Source: The Times Online

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article5563071.ece

The limits of free speech and Dutch tolerance are to be tested in a court case after judges ruled yesterday that a right-wing MP who compared the Koran to Mein Kampf should be put on trial for inciting hatred and discrimination.

Geert Wilders, the leader of the Dutch Freedom Party (PVV), will face charges...

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Young Muslims Ask Obama's Help In Fighting Extremism

January 21, 2009

Author: Nicole Neroulias

Source: Religion News Service

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=17376

As Barack Obama begins his tenure as the first U.S. president with Muslim ancestry, a group of 300 young Muslim activists from 76 countries has asked him to promote policies that can help peacefully curtail religious extremism.

The Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow, a grassroots movement aiming to foster a new generation of civic engagement,...

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