Civic

Anger Over 'Blasphemous' Balls

August 26, 2007

Author: Alastair Leithead

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6964564.stm

A demonstration has been held in south- east Afghanistan accusing US troops of insulting Islam after they distributed footballs bearing the name of Allah.

The balls showed the Saudi Arabian flag which features the Koranic declaration of faith.

The US military said the idea had been to give something for Afghan children to enjoy...

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US Sikhs Angry Over Turban Plan

August 25, 2007

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6963314.stm

US Sikh organisations have expressed anger over changes allowing airport security staff to "pat down" turbans.

Until now turbans have been searched or removed only to resolve an unexplained alarm from an airport metal detector.

But now security will have greater discretion to inspect turbans so that they can be manually checked for objects such as non-metallic weapons.

...

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International Meeting Urges Religious Groups to Back HIV/AIDs Struggle

August 24, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Ekklesia/Ecumenical News International

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/5595

An international interfaith conference on HIV/AIDS has called on religious leaders to use their places of worship, and educational and health facilities to help in the fight against HIV and AIDS - writes Anto Akkara.

"We acknowledge that we have not done enough in this area, and have at times contributed to their (those living with HIV/AIDS) sense of...

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Hebrew Charter School Spurs Dispute in Florida

August 24, 2007

Author: ABBY GOODNOUGH

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/24/education/24charter.html?_r=1&hp&oref=login

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Aug. 23 — The new public school at 2620 Hollywood Boulevard stands out despite its plain gray facade. Called the Ben Gamla Charter School, it is run by an Orthodox rabbi, serves kosher lunches and concentrates on teaching Hebrew.

About 400 students started classes at...

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US Judge Rules Public Funds Can be Used for Church Renovations

August 23, 2007

Author: Jane Lampman

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0823/p14s01-lire.html

Should citizens' tax dollars be spent to renovate houses of worship?

The answer to that question used to be a resounding "No, it's unconstitutional." But Aug. 8, a federal judge broke new ground. He ruled that the city of Detroit could partially reimburse three churches for renovations they made to their buildings to make the...

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"Reclaiming Christian Values," a Commentary by Corinne Whitlatch, Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace

August 23, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Middle East Online

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/opinion/?id=21839

Some churches and denominations in the United States have direct partner ties with Palestinian churches and to churches in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Israel. All feel a strong attachment to the Holy Land and long for peace and reconciliation with all members of the Abrahamic family of faiths - Jews, Christians and Muslims, says...

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Interfaith Dialogue Helps Promote Tolerance, Understanding

August 22, 2007

Author: Lauren Monsen

Source: USINFO.com

http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2007&m=August&x=20070822160436GLnesnoM0.5392877

Washington -- People from different religious backgrounds can achieve a better understanding of one another’s beliefs and cultural traditions through interfaith dialogue, says U.S. State Department official Kareema Daoud.
...

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Two More 'Sacred' Animals to be Slaughtered

August 22, 2007

Author: David Byers

Source: Times Online

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2309611.ece

Two more 'sacred' animals will be put down tomorrow at a Hindu religious commune where Shambo the bullock was slaughtered after testing positive for bovine TB.

Elin Jones, the Welsh Rural Affairs Minister, today served notice on monks at the Skanda Vale community in Carmarthenshire, west Wales, that vets would be arriving at 8.30am...

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Lankan Buddhist Delegation to Visit Iran Soon

August 22, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Buddhist Channel

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=43,4722,0,0,1,0

Colombo, Sri Lanka -- The Sri Lanka Embassy in Tehran in association with the Islamic Cultural Relations Organization (ICRO) of Iran has made arrangements for a seven member delegation of Lankan Buddhist monks to visit Iran during the third week of October on a mission to promote a dialogue between Buddhism and Islam. ICRO of Iran is the...

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