Author: Daniel Patrick Sheehan

Source: The Morning Call

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_5muslimjan21,0,6392682.story

Kulsum Soonasra is one of perhaps 50 Muslims at Parkland High School but 1.5 billion in the world. And, while her argument for public school recognition of Islam's holiest day isn't a statistical one, those numbers mean something.

''We're a huge religion,'' the 17-year-old junior from Upper Macungie...

Author: Bal Patil

Source: Indian Catholic

http://www.theindiancatholic.com/newsread.asp?nid=5566

Following the pattern set by several Indian states that include Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the Gujarat state assembly has not simply passed an anti-conversion law but recently amended its contents, classifying two distinct Indian religious identities – Jains and Buddhists – as Hindus.

Not only is such a classification...

Author: AIIT JAIN

Source: Toronto Sun

http://www.torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2006/11/30/2560808-sun.html

There's a small but relatively affluent religious community that keeps a very low profile in the GTA.

With about 4,000 followers in the area, Jains strictly follow their basic religious tenet of "Ahimsa parmo dharma" -- non-violence, in thought and action.

This tenet extends to their diet -- Jains...

Source: The Hindu

http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/12/stories/2006111215880300.htm

The spread of Jainsim in South India should be extensively researched, said experts participating in the first national seminar on `Jainism in South India,' which began here on Saturday.

The seminar has been organised by Kannada University, Hampi, the Abheraj Baldota Jain Samskriti Adhyayana Peetha and the Dravida Samskriti Adyayana Peetha in association with Alva's...

Source: The Hindu

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200611130311.htm

Only 23 Parsi families are now residing in the National Capital while among the minorities, Muslims are the largest chunk who have chosen their abode here.

According to the Delhi Minorities Commission's annual report 2004-05, which has been tabled in the Delhi Assembly, there are only 23 Parsis families staying in the city.

As per the Census 2001, minorities constitute 17 per...

Source: Anti-Deformation League Press Release

http://www.adl.org/PresRele/HatCr_51/4922_51.htm

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) strongly condemned the brutal assault of a Pakistani man in Brooklyn and praised the NYPD and Brooklyn District Attorney's Office for apprehending the alleged perpetrators, five Jewish teenagers, and charging them with a hate crime.

Shahid Amber, 24, was approached by the alleged perpetrators, ranging in age from 15 to 17 years, who shouted, "...

Source: NDTV

Author: Michael Scott

Source: Vancouver Sun

Author: Ansley Roan

Source: Beliefnet

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/201/story_20180_1.html

Vasudha Narayanan was browsing in a Walgreens in Gainesville, Fla., last year when she saw something she'd never seen before in an American drugstore -- greeting cards for the holiday Diwali.

"I was so happy," said Narayanan, who was born in India. "It was like a piece of home almost. It was a real symbol of being part of the American fabric."...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6049522.stm

Thousands of people have gathered in London for celebrations to mark Diwali - the Hindu festival of light. Light displays and floating lanterns in Trafalgar Square set the mood for one of the most important religious occasions for Hindus, Jains and Sikhs.

Diwali welcomes the New Year and symbolises the power of good triumphing over evil and the renewal of life.

Mayor...

Source: The Hindu

http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/15/stories/2006101508800300.htm

Governor R.L. Bhatia has called upon the Centre and the State Government to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Jains in the country.

He was inaugurating a seminar on Jainism in Kerala organised by the Bharatvarshiya Dig. Jain Mahasabha and the Wayanad Jain Samaj at Puliyarmala, Kalpetta North, on Saturday.

Mr. Bhatia said the State Government should take...

Author: Poorva Singal

Source: Silver Chips Online

http://silverchips.mbhs.edu/inside.php?sid=6807

Freshman Ruhi Vasavada stands in a small tent crowded by performers, dressed in a long skirt decorated with mirrors, a matching blouse and a sash draped over her head. This performance signifies her fourth year performing for Diwali Mela, a fair to celebrate the Diwali festival. And in front of her are hundreds of people, waiting eagerly for the many...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_east/6062358.stm

Warnings about fire safety have been given to people celebrating two major religious festivals this month.

South Wales Fire Service is urging people celebrating Diwali and Eid Ul Fitr to be aware of fire safety in the home during the festivities.

Diwali is associated with candle use, while special meals are prepared for Eid - both of which the brigade says cause a...

Author: Charles C. Haynes

Source: First Amendment Center Press Release

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/commentary.aspx?id=17529

The village of Suffern, N.Y., treats Orthodox Jews just like everyone else and that’s why it’s being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice for religious discrimination.

Equal treatment, it turns out, sometimes keeps the faithful from practicing their faith.

Orthodox Jews, for...

Source: Islamic Republic News Agency

http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0610114210122921.htm

Believing that Ramadan is a month during which God tests its followers, a family of the Jain religion in Mumbai, capital city of Maharashtra, has been observing the month- long Ramadan, one of the pillars of the Muslim faith, in the past 30 years.

While the practice is sacred for Muslims, Jains too are known to observe an annual fast during the time of...