Islam

German States May Pass Laws to Ban Headscarfs in Response to High Court Decision

October 10, 2003

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/1010/p06s01-woeu.html

On October 10, 2003 The Christian Science Monitor reported that "following a decision by Germany's highest court, allowing teacher Fereshta Ludin to wear her head scarf in class as long as there are no state laws against it...a majority of German states, including Berlin, have announced plans to pass such laws.

In the debate that has ensued, politicians and Muslim...

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Christian and Muslim Leaders Protest Ordinance Banning "Forced Conversions"

October 10, 2003

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2318001.stm

On October 10, 2003 the BBC News reported that "Christian and Muslim leaders in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu are planning a day of protest and fasting later this month, over new rules banning what are termed 'forced religious conversions.' The ordinance prohibits conversions under inducements including the offer of cash, or the threat of divine displeasure...After an emergency meeting of...

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Muslim Mother Assaulted in Fairfax County; Hate Crimes Against Muslims on the Rise

October 9, 2003

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A914-2003Oct8.html?referre

On October 9, 2003 The Washington Post reported that "a Muslim woman who said she was stabbed in the back outside a Fairfax County shopping mall and called a 'terrorist' by her assailant is the mother of an active-duty U.S. Marine Corps corporal who recently returned from a tour in Kuwait. Michelle Rothstein-Latif, 47, who was not seriously wounded...

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In Gallup Poll, Most Teens Say They Do Not Know Muslims

October 8, 2003

Source: Religion News Service

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=2713

On October 8, 2003 Religion News Service reported that a recent Gallup poll found that "almost three-fourths of U.S. teens say they do not know any Muslims. Seventy-two percent of teenagers ages 13-17 said they did not know any Muslims, while 28 percent said they did, according to the latest Gallup Youth Survey, an Internet study based on questionnaire responses from about 500 youths. The vast...

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Shi'ite Theology School Teaches About Abrahamic Faiths

October 7, 2003

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/1007/p01s04-woiq.html

On October 7, 2003 The Christian Science Monitor reported on a school in Iraq teaching about the three Abrahamic faiths: "Founded six months ago by a Shiite scholar, the institution bills itself as the Arab world's only school of theology, teaching Muslim, Christian, and Judaic texts...About 250 students of all ages have descended on the experimental school in search of a broader...

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Maine Goat-Meat Industry Debates Production of Halal Meat

October 7, 2003

Source: Portland Press Herald

http://www.pressherald.com/business/stories/031007goatmeat.shtml

On October 7, 2003 Portland Press Herald discussed the challenges farmers, butchers, store owners and state officials face as they try to build a goat-meat industry in Maine to meet a growing market demand. No one has yet capitalized on the goat market due to the religious, cultural and agricultural complications involved. According to the Herald, a recent influx...

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Episocopal/Muslim Dialogue Resumes After Controversy Over Robinson's Election

October 7, 2003

Source: Worldwide Faith News

http://www.wfn.org/2003/10/msg00076.html

On October 7, 2003 Worldwide Faith News posted an Episcopal News Service article that reported, "Christians and Muslims are back on track discussing the 'heavenly religions,' as the Sunni Muslim leader put it. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams played a key role in reestablishing the dialogue that was disrupted in the wake of the election of Gene Robinson, an openly gay man living in a committed...

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Reactions Mixed on Mosque Under Investigation by FBI

October 7, 2003

Source: Chicago Tribune

On October 7, 2003 the Chicago Tribune reported that "top federal law-enforcement officials in Chicago have scheduled a town hall meeting at a southwest suburban mosque following news reports the mosque is under federal investigation. The public meeting, to be held Friday night at the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, is expected to draw a large crowd from the Chicago area's Muslim community. U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald, FBI Special Agent Thomas Kneir and other federal officials will take questions from the audience... Nancy Needles...

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Legislation Condemns Wave of Violence Against Sikhs and South Asians

October 7, 2003

Source: Anti-Defamation League

http://www.adl.org/PresRele/DiRaB_41/4363_41.htm

On October 7, 2003 ,The Anti-Defamation League announced that they "welcome approval by the U.S. House of Representatives of a resolution condemning bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans, South Asian-Americans, Muslim-Americans and Sikh-Americans." Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, added that "Now that both the House and Senate have acted to repudiate bias-motivated violence, we...

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Fasting Helps Diverse Faiths "Focus on the Spirit"

October 7, 2003

Source: Alameda Times-Star

http://www.timesstar.com/Stories/0,1413,125%257E1549%257E1679937,00.html

On October 7, 2003 Alameda Times-Star took the Jewish Festival of Yom Kippur as an occasion to describe the ritual of fasting in many religions. The article notes that "fasting has traditionally had a part in many religious traditions... Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints fast on the first Sunday of every month. Muslims fast...

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Opinion: Christian Soldiers Discriminated Against in U.S. Military

October 6, 2003

Source: The Miami Herald

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/6942225.htm

On October 6, 2003 The Miami Herald ran an opinion piece by Michelle Malkin in which she argued that Christian soliders are discriminated against in the U.S. Military, which shows preferential treatment for Muslims. She writes, "There's something terribly wrong when an American soldier overseas can't receive Scriptures in the mail, but a Muslim chaplain can preach freely...

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