Source: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

http://www.nccbuscc.org/comm/archives/2003/03-250.htm

On December 31, 2003 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reported, "The Mid-Atlantic Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims, sponsored by the Islamic Society of North America, Plainfield, Indiana, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Washington, DC, has finished a sixty-five page study resulting from discussion over an eight-year...

Source: Contra Costa Times

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/7605012.htm

On December 31, 2003 the Contra Costa Times reported, "Bay Area Muslims joined others around the country Tuesday to protest the French government's proposal to ban the wearing of 'conspicuous' religious clothing such as Muslim head scarves and Jewish skullcaps in public schools. Rallying in front of the French Consulate in San Francisco, 15 women wearing the head covering,...

Source: The Pakistan Link

http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=bccf247450c351ed99a8e800e963d88d

On December 30, 2003 The Pakistan Link reported that The Council on American Islamic Relations raised over $100,000 at its first annual fundraising banquet for its Faith in Action theme. They were supported by the local interfaith effort (Abrahamic religions) and Asian groups, especially Japanese Americans and...

Source: Slate

http://slate.msn.com/id/2093315/

On December 30, 2003 Slate published an article on lessons Americans can learn from the proposed French ban on religious garb. The article notes that many Americans of faith are victims of employment discrimination because of their religious practices. The article outlines several cases of religious discrimination involving religious head coverings and the inability of employees to take time off for religious observances. It concludes, "...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3358363.stm

On December 30, 2003 the BBC News reported, "The head of one of the world's most prestigious centres of Islamic learning has upheld the right of France to ban headscarves in state schools. The Grand Sheikh of the al-Azhar mosque in Egypt, Mohammed Sayed Tantawi, was speaking after talks with French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy...Speaking in Cairo in the presence of Mr Sarkozy, Sheikh Tantawi said the veil was...

Source: Beliefnet.com

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/137/story_13798_1.html

On December 30, 2003 Beliefnet.com posted an Associated Press article that reported, "Advocates for Muslim religious freedoms brought a petition and letters to the French consulate Tuesday, protesting that country's proposed ban of Islamic head scarves and other religious symbols in public schools...Ghazi Khankan, executive director of the New York chapter of the Council on American...

Source: Pittsburgh Business Times

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2003/12/29/focus1.html

On December 29, 2003 the Pittsburgh Business Times reported that finding a balance between respecting religious diversity in the workplace and conducting business is becoming an important endeavor for employers. "The events of Sept. 11, 2001, have raised the awareness of religion in the workplace... Since the terrorist attacks, the Equal Employment...

Source: The Associated Press

Source: Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=RGAPAKW5KEJ52CRBAELCFFA?type=reutersEdge...

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/features/religion/la-me-beliefs27dec27,1,4445205.story?coll=la-news-religion

On December 27, 2003 the Los Angeles Times reported, "A recent Barna poll found that significant numbers of Americans embrace beliefs that are 'logically contradictory,' blending different faith views to create unorthodox religious viewpoints. 'Mix and match spirituality, I call it,' said...

Source: The Daily Star

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/features/24_12_03_a.asp

On December 27, 2003 The Daily Star ran a story on Muslims in Lebanon viewed and embraced or rejected Christmas traditions: "Wandering about the overwhelmingly Muslim southern suburbs of Beirut during the lead-up to Christmas, Ramadan decorations were still up in the streets and in shop windows. However, in the shop window of the Karout Grand Supermarket in the suburb of Haret Hreik, there was a...

Source: The Telegraph

Source: Al-Jazeera

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/308D41B4-D976-4A5F-9A28-42FB9F5FF9D8.htm

On December 27, 2003 Al-Jazeera reported, "Iraqi Shia clerics have called for a boycott of French products in protest at France's move to ban Islamic headscarves from schools. Influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called for the boycot during his Friday sermon in Kufa near Najaf. 'I suggest that a fatwa (religious edict) be issued by (Shia...

Source: The Muslim American Society

http://www.masnet.org/news.asp?id=778

On December 26, 2003 The Muslim American Society issued a press release regarding the annual four-day Muslim American Society (MAS) and Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) convention in Chicago. This year's convention, entitled "Muslims: Citizens of the West: Rights, Duties and Prospects," attracted several thousand Muslims, and emphasized political participation and action. Participants were briefed on...

Source: The Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/religion/opinion/stories/122703dnrelguestcolumn.13f09.html

On December 26, 2003 The Dallas Morning News published an editorial by Marzuq Abdul Jaami on the American Clergy Leadership Conference and the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, organizations that are working to establish an interfaith council at the United Nations and focus religious efforts...