Islam

Speakers at L.A. Conference Denounce Domestic Violence by Muslims

June 24, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On June 24, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that "in the first Los Angeles conference focusing on Muslim domestic violence, several speakers" objected to the use of religious text to justify family violence. "The conference is part of the Peaceful Families Project, an Islamic-awareness program funded with a $76,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice." They urged Muslims to separate the culturally influenced practice of domestic violence from the Koran.

Bengali Immigrant Becomes Class Valedictorian

June 24, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On June 24, 2001, The New York Times reported on Dewan Kazi Fahima, who "was named her eighth-grade valedictorian in 1997, [when] her family had been in this country only five years." They are from Bengal. She recently became valedictorian of her high school class at John F. Kennedy High School, too. "'The American dream...holds me in its grasp because I have been blessed to live my own version of it,"' she declared."

Groups Collaborate to Streamline Aid to Bosnian Immigrants

June 23, 2001

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

On June 23, 2001, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on Southside Bosnian Services Collaborative in St. Louis, which is an organization formed last year to help Bosnians in the region. It is composed of representatives from 40 organizations, including south St. Louis churches, Christian faith-based social agencies, medical clinics and hospitals. Several churches are trying to make Bosnian immigrants in the region feel more welcome.

Flushing, Queens: America's Most Religiously Diverse City

June 22, 2001

Source: Religion and Ethics Newsweekly

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week443/pluralism.html

On June 22, 2001 Religion and Ethics Newsweekly reported, "R. Scott Hanson wrote his doctoral dissertation at the University of Chicago on 'City of Gods: Religious Freedom, Immigration, and Pluralism in Flushing, New York.' He is a postdoctoral research associate at Brown University. Flushing, Queens is the most religiously and ethnically diverse...

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Black Muslim Social Worker Sues California County for Discrimination

June 22, 2001

Source: The San Francisco Chronicle

On June 22, 2001, The San Francisco Chronicle reported that "a former Contra Costa County social worker sued the county for $1 million..., alleging he was demoted and verbally harassed for being a Muslim and for being black."

Gay Muslims Try to Find a Place in Islam

June 21, 2001

Source: The San Francisco Chronicle

On June 21, 2001, The San Francisco Chronicle reported on the Al-Fatiha Foundation, an organization started by Faisal Alam, who is gay and Muslim, to help others like him reconcile their faith and their sexuality. "Islam, like many religions, condemns homosexuality ...The mere existence of the group upsets orthodox members of the Islamic faith...In addition to the nine chapters, Al-Fatiha has a half-dozen Internet list servers." Al Fatiha's website can be found at www.al-fatiha.net...

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Court Orders FedEx to Allow Employees to Wear Beards for Religious Reasons

June 20, 2001

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On June 20, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported that "Federal Express Corp. must allow employees to wear beards for religious reasons, the U.S. District Court in Augusta has ruled. The decision came after [Muslim] Khaleed Abdul-Azeez filed a complaint through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claiming that the company violated his religious beliefs and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with its policy prohibiting employees in customer-contact positions from wearing beards."

Muslim and Jewish Interfaith Group Plans to Resume Dialogue

June 19, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On June 19, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that "southland Muslim and Jewish leaders decided...to restart a troubled interfaith dialogue group after Mideast tensions moved the Islamic side to freeze the effort last month...The group...has lost members in the last several months as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict stoked emotions and suspicions on both sides." Many, however, believe that the issues need to be squarely addressed in interfaith dialogue.

Many Indian-American Doctors in Cleveland

June 18, 2001

Source: The Plain Dealer

On June 18, 2001, The Plain Dealer reported that Cleveland is "becoming a magnet for Indian-American doctors....Nationally the Asian Indian community doubled in size last decade, to about 1.7 million people...It was the fastest growing Asian group in Ohio, reaching...39,000 people. Nationally, 4.5 percent of all doctors are of Indian ancestry...Their numbers grow with proximity to Cleveland...One in 15 Ohio doctors is Indian-American...In no other city, arguably, is such a high proportion of the Indian community licensed to practice...

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Woman Estranged from Family after Conversion from Catholicism to Islam

June 17, 2001

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

On June 17, 2001, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Linda Hauber, 29, who has become an observant Muslim. "Her rejection of Catholocism; the head scarf; her avoidance of church weddings and funerals...Christmas and Easter gatherings -- all have distanced her from family and old friends...The lingering estrangement arose not simply because [of] her conversion, but also because of her devout observances of Islamic convention."

Houses of Worship Offer Relief to Flood Victims

June 16, 2001

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On June 16, 2001, The Houston Chronicle reported that "as the water from Tropical Storm Allison began to recede...a flood of donations and volunteers rushed into the fellowship hall of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church [in Houston] to help a trained troupe of parishioners activate a shelter for the American Red Cross...This 'miracle' was repeated throughout the Houston area last week as houses of worship became sanctuaries for residents fleeing the floods...Organizations such as churches, mosques and synagogues are...

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Panel Discusses Interfaith Marriages

June 16, 2001

Source: Newsday

On June 16, 2001, Newsday reported on an interfaith marriage panel, "which brought together four interfaith couples and four clergy members earlier this month at Huntington Congregational Church in Centerport [New York]." Among other things, the panelists discussed wedding ceremonies, raising children, cultural differences, and all that interfaith marriages can teach a couple.

Muslims Give Enthusiastic Support to California Book Drive

June 15, 2001

Source: The Orange County Register

http://www.ocregister.com/local/books00615cci2.shtml

On June 15, 2001, The Orange County Register reported that "Muslims disappointed with inadequate and offensive books on Islam at local libraries have responded overwhelmingly to an Anaheim [California] advocacy group's Sponsor Your Local Library drive to improve collections on the Islamic faith. The Council on American-Islamic...

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Opportunity for U.S. Muslim Students to Study Abroad

June 14, 2001

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On June 14, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported that "some graduates of Atlanta's W.D. Mohammed High School are getting a chance to...immerse themselves in Islamic and Arabic studies at two Muslim universities overseas." In four years, 100 students from throughout the United States have participated. "They go to submerge themselves in Muslim cultures. They go in search of a more intensive Quranic education."

Clinton Speaks About India's Important International Role at Fundraiser

June 13, 2001

Source: India Abroad

http://www.indiaabroaddaily.com/2001/06/13/13shape.html

On June 13, 2001, India Abroad reported that "former US president Bill Clinton told a large gathering of Indian Americans [in New York City] that the course of the 21st century would be shaped by, among other things, what happens in India...He was delivering the keynote address at a dinner concert organized...

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