Islam

Archbishop of Canterbury Condemns Detention of British Muslims, French Legislation on Religious Symbols

December 21, 2003

Source: IslamOnline.net

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2003-12/21/article05.shtml

On December 21, 2003 IslamOnline.net reported, "Canterbury Archbishop lambasted Sunday, December 21, the detention without trial of British Muslims inside the kingdom and in Guantanamo as well as the mooted ban on hijab in French public schools...The leader of the worldwide Anglican Church, who maintains improving dialogue with Islam as a top priority, warned that...

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In Long Island, Muslims, Jews and Christians Share Sacred Space

December 21, 2003

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/21/nyregion/21LONG.html

On December 21, 2003 The New York Times reported on Protestant churches on Long Island that have opened their doors to Jewish congregations. The Times notes that "for Protestant congregations burdened with high costs of maintaining churches, renting out space - to other faiths, or, more commonly, to other Protestant denominations - has become crucial to making ends meet... But the...

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In Paris, Thousands Protest Proposed Ban of Religious Symbols

December 21, 2003

Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/ap/ap_story.html/Intl/AP.V4200.AP-France-Head-Sca.html

On December 21, 2003 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ran an Associated Press article that reported, "Thousands of people, mainly Muslim women shouting 'The veil, my choice,' marched through Paris on Sunday against presidential proposals to ban Islamic head scarves from public schools and...

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Australians Have Not Engaged in Serious Headscarf Debates

December 20, 2003

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/19/1071337155688.html

On December 20, 2003 the Sydney Morning Herald ran a story on Australian attitudes toward the headscarf, in the wake of France's proposed ban of conspicious religious symbols in schools: "Among Sydney's 13 Islamic independent schools, the hijab is generally compulsory for girls of high school age, according to Medenia Abdurahman, secretary of the Australian Council for...

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Reactions to Proposed Ban of Religious Symbols Vary; Ban Could Extend to Workplace

December 19, 2003

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16370-2003Dec19.html

On December 19, 2003 The Washington Post ran an article on the reactions and possible consequences of the proposed law in France that would ban "conspicious religious symbols" from public schools, citing some Muslims who agreed with the proposal to keep religion "private" and "in the home." The article went on to say, "Outside Paris's main mosque, in a...

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New Leadership to Follow WD Mohammed

December 19, 2003

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-nj--muslimsociety1219dec19,0,784492,print.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

On December 19, 2003 The Associated Press reported, "The nation's largest black Muslim organization, decimated in recent months by the resignation of founder Warith Deen Mohammed and other leaders, has hit bottom but can still be salvaged, according to a Newark...

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Non-Christians Embrace Christmas in WA

December 19, 2003

Source: The Bellingham Herald

http://news.bellinghamherald.com/stories/20031219/TopStories/168888.shtml

On December 19, 2003 The Bellingham Herald reported on how Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, and Pagans celebrate the Christmas holiday season. Interviews reveal that many local Sikhs exchange gifts, that some local Muslims put up Christmas trees, and that Jews sometimes celebrate secular Christmas along with Hannukah. Pagan celebrationsoften involve time...

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Editorial: Interfaith Education, not Banning Religious Symbols, is the Road to Tolerance

December 19, 2003

Source: International Herald Tribune

http://www.iht.com/articles/122040.html

On December 19, 2003 the International Herald Tribune published an editorial responding to the recent French ban on headscarves, Jewish skullcaps and large crosses: "So far, thanks to God, karma and Constitution, nobody has proposed an outright ban on religious head gear on this side of the Atlantic. Yet it reminds us that the freedom to be religiously different is always fragile. For example, in August...

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Christians and Non-Christians Reflect on Christmas Traditions

December 19, 2003

Source: Maclean's

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/life/article.jsp?content=20031222_71973_71973

On December 19, 2003 Maclean's ran a feature section on how different faiths celebrate or recognize Christmas in Canada. Stories included an article from a woman reflecting on her attempt to explain what Santa Claus has to do with the birth of Jesus ("my six-year-old daughter is still trying to sort out some relationship issues. To wit: if Santa...

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Chirac on Ban of Religious Symbols: Secularlism Protects Freedom of Religion

December 18, 2003

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3329563.stm

On December 18, 2003 the BBC News posted excerpts from French President Jacques Chirac's speech supporting a law banning "conspicious" religious symbols from public school classrooms. Chirac said, "The debate on the principle of secularism goes to the very heart of our conscience. It concerns our national cohesion, our ability to live together, our ability to unite on what is essential...All of France's children,...

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French Secularism Traces its History to 18th Century Revolution

December 18, 2003

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3325285.stm

On December 18, 2003 the BBC News ran an article on the history of secularism in France, in light of the recent debate over the ban of religious symbols in French public schools: "Secularism is the closest thing the French have to a state religion. It underpinned the French Revolution and has been a basic tenet of the country's progressive thought since the 18th Century. To this day, anything that smacks of...

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Akron Interfaith Group Promotes Tolerance

December 18, 2003

Source: Akron Leader

http://www.akron.com/20031218/FPAGE/spread.htm

On December 18, 2003 the Akron Leader reported on the Akron Area Interfaith Council (AAIC), an organization of leaders and lay people representing 20 houses of worship that promotes understanding and religious tolerance.Christians from Unitarian Universalist, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopalian and Baptist churches are represented, as are members of Islamic, Jewish and Buddhist houses...

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U.S. Criticizes French Proposal to Ban Religious Symbols in Schools

December 18, 2003

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/19/politics/19RELI.html

On December 18, 2003 The New York Times reported, "The Bush administration on Thursday gently criticized a French proposal to ban head scarves and other conspicuous religious items from the public schools, saying that such displays constitute 'a basic right that should be protected.' In the first public comment by a United States official about the controversy, John V. Hanford, the...

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