Islam

Shortage of Muslim Schools in New York City

April 22, 2001

Source: New York Daily News

On April 22, 2001, the New York Daily News reported that "the demand for schools that offer the state-approved curriculum with Islamic and Arabic classes has risen over the past decade along with the city's growing Muslim population. But the high cost of real estate, the relative newness of the Islamic community and a religious prohibition against charging or paying interest have kept the number of Islamic schools [in New York City] at a minimum."

Board Game Teaches about Islam

April 21, 2001

Source: Star Tribune

On April 21, 2001, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on Thasneem Ahmed, who "developed 'Race to the Kabah,' a colorful, fast-paced board game for Muslim children and their families...The concept is based on the 99 names for Allah (God). People who aren't familiar with the religion can play it, and, Ahmed hopes, learn about Islam in the process...Ahmed considers herself a bridge between" the Indian and American cultures.

Muslim Leader to Speak at Houston Mosque

April 21, 2001

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On April 21, 2001, The Houston Chronicle reported that "Imam W. Deen Mohammed, the Muslim leader who turned from the leadership of the Nation of Islam toward orthodox Islam and a message of racial and religious harmony, will speak next week at a Houston mosque...He has encouraged African-American Muslim communities to reach out to those of other faiths and races. But he also emphasizes the need for black communities to gain economic independence and a sense of pride...Mohammed was first thrust into a leadership position in...

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Group of Minneapolis Muslims Visits the Capitol

April 20, 2001

Source: Star Tribune

On April 20, 2001, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that about 40 Muslims from Minneapolis met with legislators on Capitol Hill "to learn more about the legislative process and to encourage a greater look at affordable housing, credit issues and economic development...There are about 75,000 Muslims in the Twin Cities and about 100,000 in Minnesota."

Mortgage Backer Works to Help Muslims Buy Houses

April 20, 2001

Source: The Arizona Republic

On April 20, 2001, The Arizona Republic reported that "recognizing America's changing demographics, the nation's biggest mortgage backer, Freddie Mac, is working with the American Finance House LARIBA to fund home loans for Muslims who follow Islamic religious laws against paying or collecting interest." The system allows Muslims to arrange to buy houses without having to pay interest on loans, an act which violates Islamic religious law. Arizona is one of the first 15 states in the US to use the system. "After a buyer finds...

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Fashion at Religious Services Becomes More Laid-Back

April 20, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On April 20, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported on the latest fashion trend among Southern Californian worshippers at Sunday services. "Sunday wardrobes now reflect age, ethnicity and even hobbies...Clergy do agree on one thing: Clothes styles don't matter to God. The debate is over whether clothes make, or at least help, the worshiper...Other religions [including Judaism and Islam] have seen a slight dip in fashion formality, though nothing like the eclectic fashion sense of Christian congregations."

Muslims Plan Trip to State Capital to Encourage their Voices to Be Heard

April 12, 2001

Source: Council on American-Islamic Relations

On April 12, 2001, the Council on American-Islamic Relations Minnesota Chapter reported that it is sponsoring "Muslim Day" at the capital on April 19, 2001. It asked "as many Muslims as possible to attend in order to show that we are interested and want to be a part of influencing the decisions in the state of Minnesota."

New Legislation to Protect Halal Foods in Illinois

April 9, 2001

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

On April 9, 2001, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that "the Illinois Senate unanimously approved legislation that would make it a misdemeanor for anyone to deceptively market food as halal if it is not...450,000 Muslims in the Chicago area seek out food that is deemed halal, a term that simply means that it is prepared following Islamic customs."

Catholic School in Queens Holds Appeal for Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims

April 8, 2001

Source: New York Daily News

On April 8, 2001, the New York Daily News reported on St. Benedict Joseph Labre School in Richmond Hill, in Queens. It is a Catholic school, but "about 20% of the students are Sikhs, 20% are Hindus and 5% are Muslim." Many of the Hindu and Sikh mothers "said they like the structure, morality and emphasis on education at St. Benedict Joseph Labre." Administrators and students report that everyone at the school respects differences in religion or racial background.

Shi'ite Muslims Gather in Houston for Rare Observance

April 7, 2001

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On April 7, 2001, The Houston Chronicle reported on the sect of about 1 million Shi'ite Muslims worldwide. Every year a story, "recounted as part of Ashara Mubaraka observances," is told about the grandson of Muhammad, whom they "consider the rightful successor to Islam's main prophet." This year, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb, "told the story for the first time outside of India, Pakistan or East Africa. About 12,000 people gathered to hear him...at the Houston mosque, which has about 200 member families...

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Shelter in California Serves Muslim Women

April 1, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On April 1, 2001, Los Angeles Times reported on a shelter for battered women in Garden Grove that is "one of the few in Southern California that serves Muslims who, for complex religious and cultural reasons, think they cannot go anywhere else." The creator of the shelter said "it would be extreme humiliation" to a Muslim woman to go to any other shelter.

Matrimonial Websites Becoming Trend Among South Asians in America

April 1, 2001

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On April 1, 2001, The Houston Chronicle reported that "growing numbers of South Asians these days" are posting personal ad on matrimonial Web sites geared specifically toward their culture," in which arranged marriage is still common...Scores of such Internet venues...have sprung up in recent years" in America as elsewhere.

Research Group Documents Religious Diversity in the Bible Belt

April 1, 2001

Source: The Tennessean

http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/01/04/03814884.shtml?Element_ID=3814884

On April 1, 2001, The Tennessean reported that the Bible Belt is now home to "Six Buddhist communities. Five Jewish congregations. Five Islamic mosques. A Baha'i center. A Hindu temple and a Hindu ashram, or teaching abode. Plus assorted Sikhs and Jains...Others exist, too." Tom Russell, a...

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Stores and Restaurants in Seattle Increasingly Offering Kosher Fare

March 31, 2001

Source: The Seattle Times

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis/web/vortex/display?s

On March 31, 2001, The Seattle Times reported that "in the Seattle area, a number of kosher restaurants and food stores have sprung up...The Puget Sound area has seen a steady rise in the number of Jews moving to the area--from 30,000 a decade ago to about 37,000 now," including many who are reclaiming orthodox rituals and traditions. "The...

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Rabbi Points Out Similarities between Jews and Muslims

March 31, 2001

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On March 31, 2001, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that at a Sabbath service at Temple Ohav Shalom in Pennsylvania, Jews and Muslims were described as "close-knit cousins." Farooq Hussaini of the Islamic Center of Greater Pittsburgh said Islam "has more in common with the Judeo-Christian faith than with any of the world's other religions." The rabbi who led the service noted that both groups have experienced being "the other."

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