Civic

"Religious Freedom Expands Under Bush," a Commentary by Charles C. Haynes

March 6, 2007

Author: Charles C. Haynes

Source: Burlington Free Press

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070306/OPINION/703060322/1006

Charles C. Haynes--Here's one of the best-kept secrets about the Bush presidency: Over the past five years, the U.S. Department of Justice has quietly, but vigorously, enforced civil rights laws designed to protect religious freedom.

Now Attorney...

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For Muslim Women, Education and Economic Empowerment Are Keys to a Better Life

March 5, 2007

Author: Margaret Besheer

Source: VOA News

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-03-05-voa20.cfm

International Women's Day Thursday highlights women's struggle for equality, justice, peace and development. For many it is a day to celebrate progress. For others, it is a reminder of just how far they still must travel. VOA's Margaret Besheer reports that, positive changes affecting women in the Islamic world are coming slowly, but steadily.

The...

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Indians and Chinese Celebrate Jointly in Sydney

March 5, 2007

Author: Tarique

Source: Indian Muslim

http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2007/march/05/art_culture/indians_and_chinese_celebrate_jointly_in_sydney.html

Sydney, March 5 (IANS) In a joint celebration of Holi and the Year of the Pig, Indians and Chinese here got together in a concert featuring classical Indian dances and Chinese traditional music inspired by the symbolism of the lotus and the...

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Activists Protest in Nepal's Capital Demanding Reinstatement of Hindu Nation Status

March 4, 2007

Source: International Herald Tribune

Wire Service: AP

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/04/asia/AS-GEN-Nepal-Hindu-Protest.php

KATMANDU, Nepal: Hindu ascetics and activists protested in the Nepalese capital on Sunday to urge the government to reinstate Hinduism as the state religion and reverse its decision to declare the country a secular state.

About 200 protesters, including ash-smeared saffron-clad...

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Indonesia's Secular Traditions Threatened

March 4, 2007

Author: ROBIN MCDOWELL

Source: Canoe News

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2007/03/04/3695190-ap.html

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Women are jailed for being on the street alone after dark in parts of Indonesia, long held up as a beacon of moderate Islam. Gamblers are caned as punishment, Christian schoolchildren are forced to wear headscarves and a proposed law would sentence thieves to amputation of the hands.

Though most people in...

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San Antonio Cops Schooled in Mideast Culture

March 3, 2007

Author: Lisa Marie Gomez

Source: Express-News

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA030307.01B.SAPD_Sensitivity_Trainin.35e86d3.html

To remain sharp on the city's streets, San Antonio police officers regularly hit the shooting range, test their reflexes on the driving course and learn new ways to defend themselves.

But being tough and alert is not enough. These days, police...

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Interfaith Group Takes on 'Islamophobia'

March 2, 2007

Author: NICOLE SACK

Source: North County Times

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/02/25/news/californian/20_34_472_24_07.txt

TEMECULA ---- When U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison was sworn in as the first Muslim member of Congress in January, the Minnesota Democrat took his oath of office on a copy of the Quran that had belonged to the author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States, Thomas...

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"A New Progressive Alliance," a Commentary by Jeff Nall

March 2, 2007

Source: A New Progressive Alliance

http://www.newprogressivealliance.com/

Realizing that our shared commitment to human rights, religious freedom, and peace and social justice, significantly outweighs our differences; we the undersigned, comprised of both secular and religious progressives, declare an alliance between progressive, rational-minded people regardless of one’s spiritual, religious, or secular perspective.

While our beliefs about the existence of God may differ...

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Cop Accused of Slur Against Muslim Congressman

March 2, 2007

Author: Knight Ridder

Source: Beliefnet

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/213/story_21318_1.html

Mar. 2 - A Minneapolis police lieutenant faces an internal investigation into recent comments that fellow officers say implied that U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison is a terrorist.

The comments allegedly were made during a required police ethics training class this week by Lt. Bob Kroll, according to Mayor R.T. Rybak. In a highly unusual move, Chief Tim...

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