Islam

Hispanics Converting to Islam

January 7, 2001

Source: The Washington Post

On January 7, 2001 The Washington Post reported that "in growing numbers, Hispanics, the country's fastest-growing ethnic group, are finding new faith in Islam, the nation's fastest-growing religion. Moved by what many say is a close-knit religious environment and a faith that provides a more concrete, intimate connection with God, they are replacing Mass with mosques...The steadily increasing number of Latino Muslims illustrates how deeply rooted Islam has become in the national landscape -- even spreading to communities not...

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Airports Begin to Accommodate Muslim Prayer

January 1, 2001

Source: Azizah

In the Winter 2001 issue, Azizah reported on the issue of accommodation for Islamic prayer in airports around the country. Many Muslims have to find a quiet corner to make salah, and a growing number of US airports are offering interfaith chapels with Islamic prayer rugs oriented towards Mecca, or even a room specifically for Islamic prayer. These additions make prayer in an airport much easier and more peaceful for Muslims, and also raise awareness among non-Muslims about the presence of their Muslim neighbors.

New Hampshire Focuses on Holistic Health

January 1, 2001

Source: India New England News

In January, 2001, India New England News reported on Saraswati Mandiram, the Institute of Holistic Health, Music, Yoga, Science and Philosophy, in New Hampshire. It celebrated the official anniversary of the Baghavad Gita, a text which "is central to the institute's teachings. Holistic health...does not just focus on the physical self but also on the health of the spirit, mind and emotions. One of the institute's stated goals is to provide a place of worship...that will 'explore and promote the good in both Eastern and Western...

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Muslims Discuss Accessibility for the Disabled

January 1, 2001

Source: Azizah

In the Winter 2001 issue, Azizah reported on accessibility for the disabled in the Muslim community. There is a long way to go in becoming more universally accessible, but some communities do provide services including ramps, elevators, American Sign Language translators, and some Braille copies of the Qur'an. A Muslim woman tells the story of making the Hajj in a wheelchair.

Muslims Celebrate End of Ramadan

December 31, 2000

Source: Los Angeles Times

On December 31, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that while many were celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, hundreds of Muslims gathered in the San Fernando Valley this year for Eid-al-Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which "commemorates what Muslims believe was God's revelation of their holy book, the Koran, to the prophet Muhammad nearly 1,400 years ago. It is a month of prayer, reflection, goodwill toward those less fortunate and fasting from dawn to dusk. Eid al-Fitr...is celebrated with family and feasts, and...

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American Muslims Influence Practice of Islam Around the World

December 29, 2000

Source: Los Angeles Times

On December 29, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that "American Muslims are slowly but steadily carving their mark on the Islamic world." Although only 3 to 10 million of the 1 billion Muslims in the world live in the United States, academic and religious freedom in America have helped to make them the "most educated, affluent and diverse Muslims in the world [and have] given them an impact greater than their numbers." The flourishing numbers of provocative Islamic thinkers in America "are tackling taboo subjects such as...

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Muslims Celebrate End of Ramadan

December 28, 2000

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On December 28, 2000, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that "Muslims in Milwaukee and around the world celebrated...the end of Ramadan -- the Islamic month of fasting meant to teach discipline and self-restraint." They had been fasting during daylight hours for the past 30 days. One observer of the holiday said the fast "brings about a profound sense of accomplishment" and "should bring about more compassion for the plight of the poor." The end of Ramadan is celebrated "in a special 'Eid' prayer. 'Eid' is...

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Muslims Celebrate End of Ramadan

December 28, 2000

Source: Daily News (New York)

On December 28, 2000, the New York Daily News reported an Islamic Circle of North America service in New York to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the three-day celebration that comes at the end of the month of prayer and fasting known as Ramadan. The service brought together 2,600 worshippers. During Ramadan "Muslims attempt to cleanse their souls by abstaining from food and drink during the day." They "begin Eid al-Fitr by giving a contribution to the needy, called zakat, followed by prayers at the mosque. The rest of the...

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Muslims Celebrate End of Ramadan

December 28, 2000

Source: Los Angeles Times

On December 28, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported the gathering of hundreds of Muslims at the Odyssey restaurant to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, "which marks an end to the month of reflection and fasting commemorating the prophet Mohammed's revelations in the Koran, Islam's holy book." Throughout this month, called Ramadan, "food, drink and sexual relations" are prohibited. Edris Khestoo, a UCLA student, sees it as a way to "remember what the starving and poor are going through." Eid al-Fitr is marked by feasting and,...

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Muslims Celebrate End of Ramadan

December 28, 2000

Source: The Times-Picayune

On December 28, 2000, The Times-Picayune reported the gathering 5000 of New Orleans Muslims on the West Bank to celebrate the end of Ramadan in a day of prayer, social events and feasting called the Eid-ul-Fitr. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until dusk, many meet at night to pray, and many give special gifts to charity, "believing their merit magnified during Ramadan."

Muslims Celebrate End of Ramadan

December 28, 2000

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

On December 28, 2000, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that about 400,000 Muslims from the Chicago area celebrated the end of Ramadan on Wednesday with communal prayer and Eid-al-Fitr, the communal feast of fast-breaking. "The monthlong Ramadan is the most holy period in the Islamic year." It "is a time of personal and communal abstention and religious discipline," which includes daily fasting from dawn to dusk. Fasting "is considered to be an effective way of cleansing the believer's heart, especially when it is accompanied by...

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Muslims Celebrate End of Ramadan

December 27, 2000

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On December 27, 2000 The Houston Chronicle reported on the closing of the month of Ramadan, a Muslim holy month, whose celebration dates back hundreds of years. Explains the director of a Houston Islamic society, "this is the month in which our holy book, Koran, was supposed to have been revealed to our prophet, Mohammed. It has quite much importance to us." Its celebration includes fasting from dawn until dusk and extra praying: "The people keep awake - some of them praying the whole night." Fasting and praying are...

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Muslims Celebrate End of Ramadan

December 27, 2000

Source: The Buffalo News

On December 27, 2000, The Buffalo News reported both "growth in the area's Muslim population" and the fact that Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, "has unified the religious community" in the area. "During Ramadan, observant Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse between sunrise and sunset, for spiritual renewal. Ramadan usually lasts 29 or 30 days...Ramadan activities include educational programs about local and national Muslim issues, the community and donating food to charity." Today...

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High School Senior Steadfastly Observes Muslim Holiday

December 26, 2000

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On December 26, 2000, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported on Meadowcreek High School senior Haaris Quraishy, who is "among the estimated 9 million Americans observing Ramadan, the annual monthlong fasting period observed by Muslims around the world. Ramadan is one of the five pillars of the Muslim faith and requires worshipers to abstain from food, drink and sexual relations from dawn to sunset." Quraishy is "a standout guard" for the basketball team and was "named one of the top 10 players in...

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Muslims Celebrate End of Ramadan

December 26, 2000

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

On December 26, 2000, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that on December 27, Muslims would celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the "feast of fast-breaking," which "marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset." They chose the 27th because the holiday is not declared until the new moon is sighted, which would happen Wednesday. "The festivities can continue for three days, with the large communal prayer on the first day...Girls decorate their hands with intricate henna designs, women sing and dance...

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