Other Traditions

Department of Transportation to Pursue Racial and Religious Profiling Case against American Airlines

May 21, 2003

Source: The Star-Telegram

http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/local/5813604.htm

On May 21, 2003 The Star-Telegram reported that "Wajahat Sayeed of Plano [TX] believes he was singled out by American Airlines because of his dark skin and beard, which he keeps full for religious reasons... Sayeed was escorted off American Flight 1048 at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in October, and searched and humiliated, he alleged in a complaint that motivated the U.S....

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Update: Benke Case Reveals Simmering Tension

May 21, 2003

Source: Christianity Today

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/120/31.0.html

On May 21, 2003 Christianity Today reported that "An appeals panel of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) has overturned the suspension of pastor David Benke for praying at an interfaith September 11 memorial event at Yankee Stadium. Despite the conclusion of the case, tensions run high in the 2.6 million-member denomination. Synod leaders expect a showdown at next year's synod...

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Schools Struggle with Prayer During Graduations

May 20, 2003

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0520/p11s01-lepr.html

On May 20, 2003 The Christian Science Monitor reported that "if schools allow any religious speech at the graduation ceremony, most are aware that they could face a lawsuit. But now, if they don't - according to the dictates of NCLB - they could risk losing federal funds... The decades-old struggle over the place of religion in American public schools may be about to flare up...

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Arab-Americans and Muslims' More Stressed

May 19, 2003

Source: Religion Writers

http://www.religionwriters.com/public/tips/051903/051903b.shtml

On May 19, 2003 Religion Writers reported that "the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, were stressful for all Americans, regardless of national origin or religious background. But while most Americans say their general stress level has declined, doctors across the country say that is not the case among Arab-Americans and Muslims, which various studies number between 2 million...

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Arab-American Delivers Message of Tolerance as a Presbyterian Minister

May 18, 2003

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On May 18, 2003 The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported that "last year, Abu-Akel gave the invocation at the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday observance at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church. Despite his introduction as a local Presbyterian minister, despite a prayer that invoked God and Jesus, his name seemed to cause some confusion... For the past year, Abu-Akel has been preaching his message of tolerance and understanding from one of the loftier pulpits in American religion. Last June, he became...

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Voodoo in Florida

May 18, 2003

Source: The Ledger

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2003305180415

On May 18, 2003 The Ledger reported that "though Catholicism is the dominant organized religion in Haiti, voodoo is widely practiced in the country. Some Haitians in Polk County [FL] continue to practice voodoo but say the religion carries many misconceptions. 'It's worshiping spirits that help build consciousness,' said Alex Jack Creve-Coeur, a Haitian radio personality in...

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St. Louis Mennonite Community Plans to Form Interfaith Mediation Group

May 17, 2003

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

On May 17, 2003 the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that "a group of St. Louis regional religious and community leaders is taking to heart a line from the song 'Let There Be Peace on Earth.' The line that grabs them is 'And, let it begin with me...' This month, they are seeking like-minded people to form a corps of volunteer peacemakers... The volunteers will work in the front lines of peacemaking, helping forge truces between neighbors... In September, her church and another Mennonite congregation, Bethesda Fellowship...

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Latino Clergy Congratulated During Prayer Breakfast

May 17, 2003

Source: Los Angeles Times

On May 17, 2003 the Los Angeles Times reported that "hundreds of religious leaders joined politicians at the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast this week and heard messages from President Bush and congressional leaders congratulating Latino clergy on their commitments to faith, community and family life."

"Public Truth" Forum to Highlight Civil Liberties Violations

May 16, 2003

Source: NCM Civil Liberties Watch

http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=9a3dd93e53c1ca0a9e9aecb068ad8cbc

On May 16, 2003 NCM Civil Liberties Watch reported that "Abdul Hatifie hosts a weekly radio show broadcast to the Afghan community in the Bay Area and Los Angeles [CA]. Along with announcements of community events and discussions of Afghan culture, the Alameda doctor tries to talk about discrimination and...

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Decline in Reports of Ethnic Harassment in Orange County, CA

May 16, 2003

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/la-me-relations16may16,0,739026.story

On May 16, 2003 the Los Angeles Times reported that "Orange County authorities recorded a steep decline in reports of alleged ethnic harassment, reversing last year's post-9/11 surge in anti-Arab bigotry, according to a report by the Orange County Human Relations Commission released Thursday... In the last year, according to the report, 124 people said they were targeted by...

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Savior of the World Ethiopian Orthodox Church Upholds Ethiopian Traditions

May 16, 2003

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

On May 16, 2003 The Columbus Dispatch reported that "as in other Christian churches on Sunday morning, the nearly 200 people who have gathered at Savior of the World Ethiopian Orthodox Church praise God in a way that evokes images of their native land... The church provides a focal point for the Ethiopians, many of whom fled the political turmoil in their country in recent years and were granted asylum in the United States... Much of the Sunday service is conducted in the ancient Ge'ez language, although the homily is given in...

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H. Res 234 Condemning Bigotry against Arab, Muslim, South Asian, and Sikh Americans

May 15, 2003

Source: House.gov

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh09_kaptur/bigotry.html

On May 15, 2003 House.gov reported that "Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur today joined Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) to introduce legislation in the House of Representatives condemning violence and bigotry against Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, South Asian Americans and Sikh Americans. Kaptur’s bill also calls upon law enforcement authorities to aid on the prevention and...

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