Civic

"It’s Time to Stop ‘Hatin’ On Muslims in Washington," a Commentary by Askia Muhammad

January 18, 2007

Author: Askia Muhammad

Source: Washington Informer/New American Media

http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=b15af77e979558c02bf66b39421abc68

I really thought things were going to be materially better for people with “funny” names like mine when Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) came to Washington. And they have been.

Since he’s been here I have noticed an...

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Resolution Affirming Rights of Utah Muslims Introduced

January 17, 2007

Source: Deseret Morning News

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650223581,00.html

Sen. Peter Knudson, R-Brigham City, is asking the state Senate to send a message of support to Utah's Muslim community.

That's why he's sponsoring SR2, a "Resolution Affirming Fundamental Rights of the Muslim Community of Utah," to recognize the rights of Muslims to freely practice their religion and to enjoy the same freedoms as other ethnic and religious groups. The resolution...

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Movie on Jewish-Muslim Love Challenges Taboos, Provokes Ire

January 16, 2007

Source: All About Jewish Theatre

http://new.jewish-theatre.com/visitor/article_display.aspx?articleID=1841

In a darkened lane the young lovers crouch and caress. The girl leans to kiss the boy, then hesitates. He removes the Star of David pendant hanging from his neck and fastens it around hers, where she can no longer see it.

"This way, you'll think of other things," he says gently.

The scene is just one of many provocative...

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Interfaith Group Promotes Tolerance in Forums

January 16, 2007

Author: Helen Eriksen

Source: Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/4475623.html

A Katy man's decision to stage weekly pig races to protest a mosque's construction has prompted an alliance of local clergy to conduct a series of forums aimed at what they characterize as preventing bigotry and promoting religious acceptance.

Local Christian and Jewish leaders say they chose Monday, Martin Luther King...

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Santeria Priest Banned from Animal Killing

January 16, 2007

Source: Beliefnet

Wire Service: UPI

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/209/story_20972_1.html

EULESS, Texas, Jan 16 -- A Santeria priest has taken a Texas town to court, arguing its ordinance against slaughtering animals within the city limits is religious discrimination.

Santeria is one of several religions brought from Africa to the Caribbean and American South with slaves. Because its practitioners had to operate in secret for...

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Lawsuit Over Quran Oath in Courtrooms Can Go Forward

January 16, 2007

Source: Beliefnet

Wire Service: AP

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/209/story_20962.html

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Jan. 16 - A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and a Muslim woman over the use of the Quran and other non-Christian texts for state courtroom oaths should be allowed to go forward, the state Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.

A three-judge panel voted unanimously to reverse a trial court decision that had...

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Fox’s Face of Terror: Muslims Voice Concern over Portrayal of Terrorists on ‘24’

January 16, 2007

Author: Lauren Beckham Falcone

Source: Boston Herald

http://theedge.bostonherald.com/tvNews/view.bg?articleid=177501

The plot of the hit Fox drama “24” may make for exciting television, but Muslim groups fear their representation as terrorists does more than entertain - it vilifies an entire religious group.

“I think that TV has quite an effect on how people think,” said Nadeem Mazen, past president of...

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"Upstate Needs to Come to Grips with Religious Diversity," a Commentary by David R. Gillespie

January 16, 2007

Author: David Gillespie

Source: The Greenville News

http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070116/OPINION/701160356/1016

Recent happenings in the South Carolina Upstate have once again illustrated an issue with which the Palmetto State as a whole and its citizens have yet to seriously consider: growing religious diversity.

Anderson County Council recently reinstated the "Blue Laws" with...

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Multi-Faith Gathering Honors MLK

January 15, 2007

Author: HOWARD WEISS-TISMAN

Source: Brattleboro Reformer

http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_5015755

GUILFORD -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired the country to move beyond the more than 200 years of racist policies that segregated Americans along color lines. And while the country today honors Dr. King for leading the civil rights movement, a southern Vermont group is celebrating King's contribution to helping different religious groups understand each...

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American Muslim Models Interfaith Group on Peace Corps

January 15, 2007

Author: Susan Logue

Source: Voice of America News

http://voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2007-01-12-voa53.cfm

As a Muslim American, Eboo Patel takes to heart the line in Sura 49 of the Koran, which says, "God made us different nations and tribes that we may come to know one another." Through his Interfaith Youth Core, which is based in Chicago, he seeks to counter the violent religious strife that fills our daily newscasts with news instead...

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Newsweek and the Washington Post Sponsor Online Forum for Religious Discussion

January 12, 2007

Source: eMedia Wire/PR Web

http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/1/emw496726.htm

(PRWeb) January 12, 2007 -- Newsweek Magazine and The Washington Post have collaborated to create a new online interfaith dialog "On Faith" featuring opinions from some of the nation's top evangelical leaders and other religious heads.

When I began talking about religion to people in Washington, normally a very cynical town, I was surprised at how interested they were and how...

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Courses on Bible up for Vote

January 11, 2007

Author: Bridget Gutierrez

Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2007/01/10/0111metbible.html

State Board of Education members Thursday approved new academic courses on the Bible, allowing Georgia's public high schools for the first time to offer taxpayer-funded classes devoted to the "Good Book."

The two half-credit, voluntary electives will teach interested high...

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Oconee County Council Looks at New Prayer Policy, Cost of Legal Defense

January 10, 2007

Source: Aiken Today

Wire Service: AP

http://www.aikenstandard.com/news/325814177536496.php

WALHALLA -- The Oconee County council opened its work session with a prayer in Jesus' name and began considering a proposal to ignore demands from the American Civil Liberties Union that it end its practice of holding prayers at public meetings.

The Rev. Wayne Morton, president of the Oconee County Ministerial Association, offered the prayer...

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