Source: The Associated Press

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/local/7474761.htm

On December 12, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "federal authorities say Philadelphia police wrongly barred a female officer from wearing a Muslim head scarf, a ruling that could lead to a civil rights lawsuit against the city.

The local U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission office ruled last month that the department appeared to have violated the rights of...

Source: Cybercast News Service

http://www.CNSnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=\ForeignBureaus\archive\200312\FOR20031211a.html

On December 11, 2003 Cybercast News Service reported, "As Christmas approaches, Christians in Indonesia's Sulawesi province are worried that despite an influx of troops and police, the deteriorating security situation of the last two months may worsen. Christian campaigners working in the area...

Source: Reuters

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53432-2003Dec10.html?referrer=emailarticle

On December 11, 2003 The Washington Post reported that Christians, Muslims and Jews recently gathered at Jaferia Islamic Center in Burtonsville to learn about Islamic culture and discover common bonds in the midst of this period of international conflict. "The event, sponsored by the Maryland Muslim Council, was an...

Source: IslamOnline.net

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2003-12/11/article05.shtml#t

On December 11, 2003 IslamOnline.net reported, "Suleyman Demiray, a Turkish-born Muslim Imam who immigrated to Canada 10 years ago, made history Wednesday, December 10, becoming the first Muslim chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces after completing a 14-week chaplaincy training. 'It's a great honor being able to do something for my country,' he said after a...

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A54565-2003Dec10?language=printer

On December 11, 2003 The Washington Post reported that "the Secret Service took responsibility yesterday for sending an Arab American waiter home from his job at a Baltimore hotel before a presidential fundraiser last week. But it said the decision resulted from confusion over his work schedule, rather than from ethnic or religious discrimination...

Source: Detroit Free Press

http://www.freep.com/cgi-bin/forms/printerfriendly.pl

On December 11, 2003 the Detroit Free Press reported that more than 30 students from Canton, Plymouth and Salem high schools gathered at Canton High School to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. The event has been sponsored by the Muslim Student Association since the group was formed three years ago. The event included henna art, traditional food, and Muslim clothing worn during holiday celebrations....

Source: United Press International

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20031211-032204-3206r

On December 11, 2003 United Press International reported, "Muslim headscarves, Jewish skullcaps and large crosses are to be banned from French public schools, according to a report presented to President Jacques Chirac Thursday. More 'discreet' religious symbols, such as small crosses, Muslim Hands of Fatima and Stars of David should be allowed, a 20-member committee...

Source: KHOU News

http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou031210_mh_Arsonreward_.8b8cbef7.html

On December 10, 2003 KHOU News in Houston reported that "federal and local investigators have doubled the reward for a serial arsonist suspected in at least 11 fires. All of the victims are of Indian or Middle Eastern descent. Three of their homes have been burned twice. The reward is now $10,000 for information leading to the suspect's arrest...

Source: OneWorld South Asia

http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/74892/1/

On December 10, 2003 OneWorld South Asia reported, "A coalition of rights groups and eminent intellectuals are protesting against the government's arrest of over 1,000 people campaigning to prevent Hindu fundamentalists from taking over a shrine in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, which is famed for its religious diversity. The arrested men and women, slated to be released today, were...

Source: The State

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/7455691.htm

On December 10, 2003 The State reported that "words of Christian and Baha’i scripture, Hindu chants, and prayers offered in the Lakota Sioux language welcomed a crowd of about 60 to USC’s Gambrell Hall Tuesday night. The diversity of the offered prayers reflected the reason they had gathered — a forum on the increasing diversity of South Carolina’s religious...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3304801.stm

On December 9, 2003 the BBC News reported, "The government in Germany's biggest state, Bavaria, has prepared a draft law to ban Muslim teachers from wearing headscarves in schools. A Bavarian cabinet minister said the aim was to protect school pupils against fundamentalist influences. The bill is expected to be passed next year in the regional parliament, which is dominated by the Christian Social Union (CSU)...

Source: The Macon Telegraph

http://www.macon.com/mld/telegraph/7447313.htm

On December 9, 2003 The Macon Telegraph reported on a practicing Muslim at Robins Air Force Base who says he's had no problem balancing his religious beliefs with service to his country and the Air Force.

"Even if he had to fight fellow Muslims in places like Iraq, Maj. Tim Oldenburg believes his faith makes allowances for it.

'In Islam, you're supposed to fight oppression, and...