Islam

Muslim Leads Opening Prayer for 108th U.S. Congress

October 1, 2003

Source: Council on American-Islamic Relations

On October 1, 2003 Council on American-Islamic Relations released the text of the prayer offered that morning at the opening of the 108th Congress by Imam Qazwini, which read in part: "Glory be to Allah, the Lord of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. As we commence our legislative day in this 108th Congress, we ask You to bestow Your blessings upon us and help our legislators enact that which pleases you and ensures the interest of our people. Lend Your infinite wisdom to this congress, and allow them to embrace what...

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Jewish Father Supports His Muslim Daughters' Rights to Wear Hijab

October 1, 2003

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3149588.stm

On October 1, 2003 the BBC News reported, "A row over women's rights to wear headscarves has broken out again in France - but this time supporters of the right of Muslim girls to cover their head in school have a new and unusual champion. Laurent Levy is the father of two teenagers - Lila, 18, and Alma, 16 - who last week were barred from the Henri Wallon lycee in the northern Paris suburb of Aubervilliers. He is...

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Islam Meets Tex-Mex in Abiquiu, NM

September 29, 2003

Source: Newsweek

http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_email.asp?/news/969706.asp

On September 29, 2003 Newsweek correspondent Carla Power reported on her visit to Dar al Islam, a mosque and madrasa outside the town of Abiquiu, New Mexico which was founded by American Muslims 20 years ago. She writes, "it’s at lunch, when a bunch of us go into the tiny town of El Rito for Tex-Mex food at the El Farolito cantina, that I realize how fully the...

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Muslim Activist Arrested On Charges of Illegal Dealings With Libya

September 29, 2003

Source: Beliefnet.com

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/133/story_13336_1.html

On September 29, 2003 Beliefnet.com posted a story by the Associated Press that reported, "A Muslim activist whose Virginia home was searched as part of a federal investigation of terrorist financing has been arrested on charges of having illegal dealings with Libya. A criminal complaint unsealed Monday alleges Abdul Rahman al-Amoudi violated U.S. law by accepting, either personally or...

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Arrest of James Yee Prompts Review of Military Chaplain Selection Process

September 28, 2003

Source: The San Francisco Chronicle

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/09/28/MN98830.DTL

On September 28, 2003 The San Francisco Chronicle reported that "neither military nor civilian authorities have brought formal charges against [Chaplain James] Yee, but after his arrest the Pentagon says it has begun a review of the admittedly ad hoc process it has used for years to select and train chaplains of all faiths.

...

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Women Wear the Hijab as Statement of Feminism

September 27, 2003

Source: The Plain Dealer

http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living/1064676607193420.xml

On September 27, 2003 The Plain Dealer reported that "to...members of the Islamic Center of Cleveland's Women's Committee, wearing the hijab has become more than a symbol of religious conviction. It's a feminist statement - indicative of a kind of feminism that is quite different from the traditional women's lib movement...

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Hijab Sparks Controversy in Germany, France, Turkey

September 26, 2003

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3135600.stm

On September 26, 2003 the BBC News ran a story on the controversy over the hijab in various countries: "Few pieces of headwear prompt such controversy. A number of European countries are currently struggling with the dilemmas posed by the Muslim headscarf, which throws up a variety of difficult issues relating to tolerance and equality." The story was prompted by the decision by Germany's highest court to allow...

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W.D. Mohammed Sends Emissary to Speak in Philadelphia

September 26, 2003

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/6862738.htm

On September 26, 2003 The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Imam Earl Abdulmalik Mohammed, the national emissary of Imam W.D. Mohammed, who resigned last month as head of the American Society of Muslims, was coming to speak in Philadelphia, to "pave the way" for a Nov. 2 talk by W.D. Mohammed. "The Chicago-based statesman [W.D. Mohammed], a widely respected spiritual...

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"Quebec Identity" vs. the Headscarf: Student Expelled for Wearing Hijab

September 26, 2003

Source: The Globe and Mail

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20030926/COSHEEMA26/E-MAIL

On September 26, 2003 The Globe and Mail reported on the controversy surrounding the hijab, or Muslim headscarf, in Quebec: "The current hijab controversy involves Irene Waseem, 16, who was recently expelled from College Charlemagne, a private Catholic girls' school, for wearing the hijab on her first day back at the...

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Chaplain Yee's Arrest Causes Concern Among Chinese Americans

September 26, 2003

Source: NCM

http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=aaaffc9c905bffddbda8d967fdc35da6

On September 26, 2003 NCM reported that "many Chinese Americans are feeling dread in the wake of the arrest of Capt. James Yee, a Muslim chaplain stationed at Fort Lewis Army Base, Wash. The case brings back memories of the prosecution -- some would say persecution -- of Dr. Wen Ho Lee.

Lee, the Los Alamos National...

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Editorial: Muslims Only Given a Voice When They Serve Government's Purpose

September 26, 2003

Source: Beliefnet.com

http://www.beliefnet.com/frameset.asp?pageLoc=/story/133/story_13316_1.h

On September 26, 2003 Beliefnet.com ran a commentary by Omid Safi on the arrest of Chaplain James Yee in which he raised the question, "Is it true that when Muslims serve the government’s purpose, we get a voice--but when we are suspected, our rights are taken?" About the Yee case, Safi said, "The case against Captain Yee is very unsettling for American...

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U.S. Military and American Muslims Both Suspicious of Each Other

September 25, 2003

Source: The San Francisco Chronicle

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/09/25/national1755EDT0810.DTL

On September 25, 2003 The San Francisco Chronicle reported that "efforts to build bridges between Muslims in America and a government at war with terrorism cross rivers of doubts and miscommunication.

'We always encourage people to be part of America, including the military, including...

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Muslim Teen Resigns from New Jersey School Over Head-Scarf

September 25, 2003

Source: Atlantic Highlands Herald

http://www.ahherald.com/news/2003/0925/elgohail_mast.htm

On September 25, 2003 Atlantic Highlands Herald reported that Mona Elgohail, a Muslim teen who was not permited to wear her head-scarf with her school's naval uniform, had resigned from the Marine Academy of Sciences and Technology. Mona and her mother Nemera Elgohail say that the hijab is required of their religion, but school officials argued that the head covering went...

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Muslim Employees Settle with Electrolux Over Prayer Break

September 25, 2003

Source: Pioneer Press

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/6853210.htm

On September 25, 2003 the Pioneer Press reported that "the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has reached a settlement with the Electrolux Group over a charge that the company's Muslim employees were being disciplined for taking prayer breaks...The case was initiated about a year ago when the Somali Community Center in Minneapolis filed a discrimination charge on behalf of 165...

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