Civic

Protestors Decry Wal-Mart’s Use of “Happy Holidays”

December 18, 2005

Source: The Guardian

Wire Service: AP

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5487814,00.html

On December 18, 2005 the Associated Press reported, "A group of religious protesters demonstrated outside a Wal-Mart superstore Saturday, hoping to turn away customers by calling attention to the retailer's decision to use 'Happy Holidays' rather than 'Merry Christmas' in its seasonal advertising... Controversy over...

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Brampton Area South Asians Raise $2.3 Million for Hospital, Emergency Wing Named After Guru Nanak

December 16, 2005

Source: The Brampton Guardian

http://www.northpeel.com/br/business/story/3221269p-3729606c.html

On December 16, 2005 The Brampton Guardian reported, "A recent fundraising effort over the airwaves led to a flood of donations for the William Osler Health Centre. In seven days, Brampton's South Asian community raised $2.3 million for the hospital, nearly $1 million of it in the first 90 minutes alone. 'It truly was a tremendous outpouring of generosity from...

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Americans United Issues Report on Alito’s Track Record on Religious Liberties

December 16, 2005

Source: Americans United for Separation of Church and State

http://www.au.org/site/News2?abbr=pr&page=NewsArticle&id=7705&security=1002&news_iv_ctrl=1241&JServSessionIdr005=wpzkkdkhk2.app5b

On December 16, 2005 Americans United for Separation of Church and State reported, "Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. harbors a narrow view of religious liberty and would likely join the Supreme Court’s most...

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Government Drops Plans to Shut Down Extremist Mosques

December 16, 2005

Source: The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,2763,1668779,00.html

On December 16, 2005 The Guardian reported, "Ministers yesterday dropped plans proposed by Tony Blair as part of his 12-point anti-terror plan in the wake of the July bombings to close mosques that are used to foment extremism after criticism from the police and religious leaders. The home secretary, Charles Clarke, proposed the police should have the power to secure a court...

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Indiana Legislature Ordered to Stop Using Jesus’ Name in Opening Prayer

December 15, 2005

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/12/15/limits_on_prayer_spark_protests_in_ind/

On December 15, 2005 The Boston Globe reported, "A federal judge's order that the Indiana Legislature stop using the name Jesus Christ in its 188-year practice of holding an opening prayer has sparked protests from residents, politicians, and clergy. Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma said yesterday that he will...

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Shelter Hosted by Mosque Eases Stereotypes

December 12, 2005

Source: IBN News

http://news.ibn.net/newsframe.asp?url=http://news.ibn.net/newsgen.asp?url=msst

On December 12, 2005 IBN News reported, "For the past few days, homeless mother Galadrial Neece-Estrada and her family have been sleeping someplace they would never have imagined - at a southeast Las Vegas mosque. Neece-Estrada, her boyfriend and their two sons... are spending a week at the mosque as guests of the Islamic Society of Nevada. 'I've...

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Detroit Kirpan Controversy Highlights Tensions Between City Ordinances and Religious Freedoms

December 12, 2005

Source: The Detroit News

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051212/METRO/512120336/1003

On December 12, 2005 The Detroit News reported, "The arrest of a Wayne State University student has sparked conflict between upholding the city's knife ordinance and protecting religious freedoms. Senior Sukhpreet Singh Garcha, 23, was arrested on campus in August on suspicion of carrying a 10-inch knife on his hip and was charged with...

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Sikhs Host Worldwide Day to Protest the Death Penalty

December 12, 2005

Source: SikhSangat.com

http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?showtopic=15870

On December 12, 2005 SikhSangat.com reported, "A Worldwide Day of Protest is being organised for 17 January 2006. Sikhs in cities around the world from London, to Paris, to Toronto and to New York are aiming on 17 January to show their opposition to the death penalty and call for the release of all Sikh political prisoners held in jails in India. Candles will be lit in prominent places in cities...

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Opinion: “Common Sense Prevails in Al-Arian Trial”

December 12, 2005

Source: The Tampa Tribune

http://tampatrib.com/opinion/MGB8CZ5T3HE.html

On December 12, 2005 The Tampa Tribune ran an opinion piece by Parvez Ahmed, Chairman of the Board for the Council on American-Islamic Relations and an active researcher and teacher of Finance at the University of North Florida. "Former Attorney General John Ashcroft once hailed the arrest of Sami Al-Arian as 'a milestone in the war on terror.' Last week 12 ordinary Americans, none of whom shared the...

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Utah's First Muslim Girl Scout Troops Strengthens Bonds of Faith, Friendship

December 9, 2005

Source: The Salt Lake Tribune

http://www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_3296182

On December 9, 2005 The Salt Lake Tribune reported, "Aisha, a now-17-year-old Somalian who immigrated to Utah by way of Pakistan five years ago, has had her insecure moments. No way around it, she's different. Her culture, religion, skin color and - not least of all - the way she dresses set her apart. Being Murray High School's only Muslim girl who wears 'hijab,' the traditional head covering, can take a toll......

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Judge Dismisses Qur’an Courtroom Oath Lawsuit

December 8, 2005

Source: News-Record

http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051208/NEWSREC0101/51208007/1001/NEWSREC0201

On December 8, 2005 the News-Record reported, "A judge today dismissed a lawsuit prompted by outcry over the inability of Muslims to be sworn in Guilford County courts using the Qur'an, a lawyer in the case said. In throwing out the case, Superior Court Judge Donald L. Smith decided that no controversy...

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Red Crystal Joins Cross and Crescent

December 8, 2005

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4508858.stm

On December 8, 2005 BBC News reported, "A diamond-shaped red crystal on a white background is to join the Red Cross and the Red Crescent as an emblem for ambulances and relief workers. Geneva Convention member states voted by a two-thirds majority for the symbol, ending a decades-old row and opens the way for Israel to join. Israel had been denied entry because its Red Shield was not approved. Relief...

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