Islam

First Mosque on a U.S. Military Base

November 6, 1998

Source: Chicago Tribune

On November 6, 1998, the Chicago Tribune reported that the Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia is home to the military's first mosque, Masjid al Da'wah. The mosque was opened a year ago and attendance for Friday services varies from 7 to 50. According to public affairs officer Paula Keicer, the Navy has 725 enlisted Muslims, though the Navy does not keep a count of Muslim officers. Lt. Malak Ibn Noel, the mosque's imam, states that "people are very, very proud of this room." The mosque occupies a small space in a building which also...

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Imam, Rabbi, and Cardinal in Dialogue

September 6, 1998

Source: National Catholic Register

On September 6, 1998, the National Catholic Register reported that the Catholic Focolare movement and the Baltimore archdiocese sponsored an event entitled "Dialogue as a Lifestyle" at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore on August 23rd, 1998. The dialogue featured representatives of three faiths: William Cardinal Keeler of Baltimore, U.S. Episcopal moderator of Catholic-Jewish relations; Rabbi Jack Bemporad, director of the Center for Interreligious Understanding at Ramapo College; and Imam Abdulmalik Mohammed...

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Controversy Over New Movie, "The Seige"

August 24, 1998

Source: The New York Times

A New York Times article on August 24, 1998, reports on Muslim concern over the trailers for the film "The Siege." "American Muslims and Arab-Americans who have seen the trailers are sounding the alarm at what they fear is a dangerous film that will feed suspicion and hatred of Arabs and Muslims in this country." They are writing in protest while the film is being edited prior to November release. The director Mr. Zwick is quoted as saying the film "very much touches on the themes of repression and racism that exist, I believe,...

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Offensive Strike Targets Terrorists, Not Muslims

August 22, 1998

Source: The New York Times

A New York Times article on August 22, 1998 reports on President Clinton's important distinction as follows: "In explaining the decision to strike targets in Afghanistan and Sudan on Thursday, the Clinton administration has been careful to say that the United States was aiming at terrorist organizations and their bases, not at a religion with adherents worldwide. "I want the world to understand that our actions today were not aimed against Islam," President Clinton said Thursday, in remarks that were unusual in a speech on...

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Increase in Anti-Muslim Discrimination Reported

July 15, 1998

Source: No source given.

"(WASHINGTON, DC - 7/15/98) - An annual report released today by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) showed a decrease in acts of violence against American Muslims, but indicated a 18 percent increase in total incidents and a 60 percent rise in discrimination cases."

Muslim Home-Schooling Convention Held

July 12, 1998

Source: Syracuse (New York) Herald American

On July 12, 1998, the Syracuse (New York) Herald American ran an article entited "Muslims Embrace Schooling at Home," about a "convention launched two years ago in Syracuse by Abdul-Malik to fill a void for what she and others say is a growing number of Muslims choosing to teach their children at home."

Annual Convention Seeks to Raise Muslim Political Awareness

June 27, 1998

Source: Los Angeles Times

An article in the Los Angeles Times on June 27, 1998 reported on the seventh annual American Muslim Council (AMC) convention held in Washington, D.C. "Although the council seeks to correct the mistaken stereotypes of Muslims, it is far more interested in raising political awareness within the community, Abdulhadi said. "If I can send people home so that they feel more confident to interact with their elected representatives and appointed officials, then I've succeeded," he said." Abdulhadi is the media coordinator for the AMC.

Constitutitional Debate over Muslim Police Officers' Right to Wear Beards

June 26, 1998

Source: The New York Times

On June 26, 1998, the New York Times reported on a dispute in Federal appeals court: while the Newark, NJ police force requires clean-shaven officers and seeks to dismiss officers not in compliance, two Muslim officers are pursuing the right to wear beards due to religious obligation. "As the arguments unfolded in the old Federal courthouse, the case presented many incongruities. For one, it involves two black officers who are asserting their individuality in a predominantly black city with a black political leadership while...

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Muslim Schools Win Zoning Battles in Virginia and California

February 12, 1998

Source: The Washington Post

On February 12, 1998, The Washington Post reported that the Loudon County Planning Commission voted unanimously on February 11 to recommend approval of a Muslim school project in Virginia. The Post reports that the project had "drawn fierce opposition from some residents who say they fear it will attract terrorists. Members of the commission said they had considered residents' concerns about the proposed school, but had to base their...

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