Source: Contra Costa Times

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/4873449.htm

On January 4, 2003 the Contra Costa Times reported that "two of Central Contra Costa County's biggest mosques have launched ambitious expansion plans and are considering joining a third mosque to form a unified, major worship center serving the region's booming Muslim population... The Islamic Center of Contra Costa on Clayton Road plans to buy a 2,500 square-foot former carpet store adjacent to its...

Source: Mercury News

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/4873223.htm

On January 4, 2003 the Mercury News reported that "with a deadline less than a week away, immigrant community leaders say they're worried that visitors from Afghanistan, Lebanon and 11 other countries may not register as part of a new national security program because they fear they'll be detained or deported... The Immigration and Naturalization Service took hundreds of men from five Middle Eastern...

Source: The Boston Herald

On January 4, 2003 The Boston Herald printed an editorial by Matan Chorev and Karim Bin-Humam that stated, "the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has served as the ultimate topic of deliberation, peaceful and otherwise, on campuses coast to coast. But at what cost? The intensity of the campus dialogue has propagated inappropriate behavior among people on all sides of the conflict, and most college communities are not responding adequately. A recent statement calling for 'intimidation-free campuses' was circulated widely and signed...

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

On January 3, 2003 The Columbus Dispatch reported that "workers have installed fresh wallboard where ceilings and walls were bowed after water gushed from smashed pipes. Heartsick worshippers pulled up soaked carpeting, only to discover oak floors beneath the threadbare rugs. Volunteers -- engineers, schoolchildren, housewives -- came as news spread about the desecration of the center at 1428 E. Broad St. An estimated $379,000 repair bill was cut to $140,000.'Yes, something good has come from something bad,' said Al-Akhras,...

Source: The Associated Press

On January 3, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will review public comments before deciding whether to move forward with plans to lease land for a proposed Muslim Youth Camp. The deadline for public comment on the project was Thursday and most of the letters and e-mails the corps of engineers received about the camp voiced opposition to the plan. The land, about 106 acres, is about two miles northeast of North Liberty near Coralville Lake and is managed by the corps. The property...

Source: Muslim Public Affairs Council

http://www.mpac.org/home_article_display.aspx?ITEM=328

On January 3, 2003 the Muslim Public Affairs Council reported that "MPAC has opposed the INS registration process because of its selective enforcement against immigrants from Muslim countries, its incrimination of innocent people, its deceptive approach, questionable treatment of detainees, and ineffectiveness at enhancing our national security... Therefore, MPAC is launching...

Source: Free Press

http://www.freep.com/news/religion/nsheik3_20030103.htm

On January 3, 2003 the Free Press reported that "for the first Sabbath of 2003, a Jewish congregation hopes to start a new tradition to promote peace... Tonight, Congregation Chaye Olam will invite members of the Arab community for a Middle Eastern meal at the Sheik restaurant in Orchard Lake... The dinner, said Cantor Stephen Dubov, will be a chance for people of opposing viewpoints to agree...

Source: Pioneer Press

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/4862904.htm

On January 3, 2003 the Pioneer Press reported that "Minnesota Muslim [made a debute] a few weeks ago during Ramadan, Islam's holiest month, with the next issue to be delivered to mosques and some Muslim-owned businesses later this month. The 75-cent publication was started by a group of Muslims to offer an alternative to mainstream coverage of their communities and...

Source: The Associated Press

On January 2, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "Muslims, Jews and Christians and people of diverse ethnic backgrounds gathered at a mosque to call for a future without war and conflict. About 150 people attended the second-annual Day of Peace at the Islamic House of Wisdom Wednesday [in Michigan]. U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, initiated the event, which focused on young people. The program featured songs and poems of peace performed by children from elementary through high school and ended with refreshments to...

Source: The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/102361_medidate01.shtml

On January 1, 2003 The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that "hundreds of men, women and children gathered at Green Lake to take time out for peace... Before taking to the 2.7-mile path around the lake, the walkers gathered in a circle near the Green Lake Community Center to hear prayers, songs and chants from representatives of a variety of religious and...

Source: The Flint Journal

http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/news-9/1041436261225710.xml

On January 1, 2003 The Flint Journal reported that "C. K. Venkateswaran, a Sunday school teacher at the local Hindu Temple and Chinmaya Mission, began the readings with a peace prayer in Hindu... The Rev. Deborah Kohler, pastor of Woodside Church of Flint, read a Christian...

Source: The Kansas City Star

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/4850303.htm

On January 1, 2003 The Kansas City Star printed an editorial by Lewis Diuguid that stated, "on Christmas Eve... Adults and children with the Crescent Peace Society and the American Muslim Council-Heartland Chapter donated and served holiday dinners to men at the homeless shelter... Jason Erb, director of government affairs with the Council on American-Islamic Relations... wants Muslims to...

Source: Rocky Mountain News

On January 1, 2003 Rocky Mountain News reported that "a new clergy group composed of Jews, Christians and Muslims is planning its first interfaith service Sunday dedicated to 'peace and light.' The group, which says it is nonpolitical, will travel to three different worship centers in the Denver area to pray or meditate for world peace and unity. The event begins at 6 p.m. at Rodef Shalom Synagogue, then proceeds to Aurora for a 7 p.m. gathering at Mountain View Community Church, and concludes with an 8 p.m. service at the...

Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/metro/fayette/0103/02islam.html

On December 31, 2002 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that "The Rev. Bob Hudak wants to see Muslims working alongside other religious denominations in metro Atlanta... Hudak, who leads the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Fayetteville, already practices what he preaches... Hudak is working with Fayetteville's Muslim Community Center of...

Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/metro/cobb/1202/31mosque.html

On December 31, 2002 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that "a Marietta mosque that was denied permission to build a minaret plans to hold open houses in an effort to strengthen ties with neighbors before reapplying... Masjid Al-Hedaya director Amjad Taufique said Monday that the mosque will not sue the Marietta Board of Zoning Appeals over its Dec...