Author: Jonathan Wright

Source: The Washington Post

Wire Service: Reuters

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012100848.html

Arabs and Muslims gave the benefit of some doubt on Wednesday to U.S. President Barack Obama's offer of "a new way forward" with the Muslim world, but many said it would take deeds rather than words to convince them.

...

Author: Chris LaFortune

Source: OakPark-Leaves.com

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/oakpark/news/1388638,op-protest-012009-s1.article

Disappointed by the country's handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a group of about 65 people stood in silent protest in Oak Park Monday (Jan. 19).

Their backgrounds were varied, with representatives from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Jewish Voice for Peace and the...

Author: Nicholas Cecil

Source: The Evening Standard

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23623423-details/Religion+now+more+divisive+than+race%2C+says+public/article.do

At least four out of 10 Muslims do not believe that communities should be forced to integrate in Britain, according to a new poll.

It also found that religion has become a more divisive...

Author: Katrin Bennhold

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/world/europe/21france.html?emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

On a giant flat-screen television, the Chabchoubs, a family of Tunisian immigrants, watched as veiled mothers wailed over the bodies of children and fathers cried silently. The piles of rubble, the squirming toddler covered in raw burns — all of this was coming straight from Gaza to...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: One India

http://living.oneindia.in/insync/pulse/2009/makar-sankaranti-gujarat-kites-uttarayan-130109.html

With Makar Sankaranti in the corner and country to celebrate it in different ways, the Hindu festival is one of the biggest and popularly celebrated in Gujarat. Uttarayan is the phase when sun travels towards the north on the celestial sphere. The starting of Uttarayan is...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

Author: Diana L. Eck

Source: Politico

http://www.politico.com/arena/perm/Diana_Eck_8E45486A-2D62-459E-BD29-9E1BCB0435C5.html

Since Israel is the world's largest recipient of direct U.S. economic and military aid every year, since aid to Palestine is only about 1/20 of that provided to Israel, and since Hamas receives no U.S. aid at all, it is clear to me that the U.S. needs to use it's leverage with Israel to insist...

Author: Hillel Italie

Source: The Associated Press

Author: Staff Writer

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

http://news.findlaw.com/prnewswire/20090116/16jan20091242.html

American Muslim groups will welcome next week's inauguration of President Barack Obama with a symbolic release of "peace doves" on Monday at a mosque in the nation's capital followed by an open house at the Capitol Hill headquarters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on Inauguration Day.

"As part of...

Author: Jane Hawes

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/faith_values/stories/2009/01/16/esposito.ART_ART_01-16-09_B6_9ICH5DL.html?sid=101

As difficult as the days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack were for American Muslims, there were many positives.

"A lot of people reached out," said Asma Mobin-Uddin, president of the Ohio chapter of the...

Author: Julia Duin

Source: The Washington Times

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/15/faithful-to-celebrate-obama-with-traditional-dance/

A variety of religions will be whooping it up this weekend at something unique in terms of inaugural festivities: religiously oriented balls.

The African American Church Inaugural Ball will have several bishops in attendance. A Masonic ball is scheduled...

Author: Abbas Jimoh

Source: All Africa

http://allafrica.com/stories/200901150298.html

The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has called on the United Nations Security Council to order for a cease-fire in the ongoing Gaza war which had entered the 20th day.

A statement jointly signed by the Sultan of Sokoto and President of Supreme Council for Islamic affairs (NSCIA) Alhaji Mohammed Saad Abubakar and the President of Christian Association of...

Author: Kim Zarzour

Source: York Region News

http://www.georginaadvocate.com/News/Thornhill/article/86787

Now, more than ever, is the time for Muslims and Jews in Thornhill to hold firm on their resolve to work together, say the organizers of an interfaith friendship project between a temple and mosque.

Members of the Ja’ffari Islamic Centre and Temple Har Zion have a long-standing tradition of co-operation, beginning with a...

Author: Michael Conlon

Source: Reuters

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N14469091.htm

The Gaza Strip violence has chilled a promising interfaith dialogue between Jews and Muslims in the United States, activists said on Wednesday.

But Israel's 19-day-old offensive against Hamas that has taken more than 900 Palestinian lives has not triggered attacks on synagogues or other Jewish institutions in the United States at the level seen...

Author: Rachel Zoll

Source: MSNBC

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28658956/

At past inaugurations, ceremonial prayers uttered on behalf of the incoming president drew about as much attention as the flags on the podium.

Not this year.

Barack Obama's choice of clergy is under scrutiny like no other president-elect before him, alternately outraging Americans on the left and the right as he navigates the minefield of U.S. religion.

"I can't...