Civic

WCC Conference Aimed at Translating Interreligious Dialogue into Action

June 6, 2005

Source: The Christian Post

http://www.christianpost.com/article/church/2107/section/translating.inter-religious.dialogue.into.action/1.htm

On June 6, 2005 The Christian Post reported, "Representatives from the major faith communities will gather in Geneva, Switzerland this week for a Critical Moment Conference that will address the difficulties facing interreligious relations in the globalized world....

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International Forum to Highlight Struggles of Sikhs in Europe and Beyond

June 5, 2005

Source: The Panthic Weekly

http://www.panthic.org/news/126/ARTICLE/1390/2005-06-05.html?sid=b3c96658f6e9f0ffde16e9cd831af611

On June 5, 2005 The Panthic Weekly reported, "In a bid to end the growing religious intolerance in European countries and other regions, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) will be addressing problems faced by Sikhs at an international meet in Spain this month.

Akali leader and MP Simranjit...

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Profile of Asra Nomani, Leader of Muslim Women’s Freedom Tour

June 5, 2005

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/04/AR2005060401646.html?sub=AR

On June 5, 2005 The Washington Post reported, "it was two days after she appeared on 'Nightline' talking about her fight to change her mosque that the death threats began. The first call came on her cell phone. The caller left a message, in Urdu: 'If you want to stay alive, keep your mouth shut.' Otherwise, he...

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Reinstated Invocation at Escondido City Council Meeting Proves Problematic

June 3, 2005

Source: Union-Tribune

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20050603-9999-1mi3prayer.html

On June 3, 2005 the Union-Tribune reported, "for the second time since the city revived invocations before council meetings, a religious leader invoked Jesus in his prayer, violating city guidelines and a recent court decision. Pastor Vincent Xavier said he gave Wednesday night's invocation with full knowledge that his words violated the...

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Separation of Church and State Contested in Walnut Creek Mission Restorations

June 2, 2005

Source: Contra Costa Times

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/nation/11796350.htm

On June 2, 2005 the Contra Costa Times reported, "as worries mount over crumbling walls at California's 21st Spanish-era missions, one man says another historic wall deserves equal preservation. The Rev. Barry Lynn claims that spending $10 million in taxpayer money to renovate the structures would breach a constitutional barrier against government funding for religion...

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Sikh Hopes Raised on Turban Issue with New Prime Minister

June 2, 2005

Source: The Hindu

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200506021627.htm

On June 2, 2005 The Hindu reported, "The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has congratulated Mr. Dominique de Villepin on his appointment as France's new Prime Minister, recalling his promise as Foreign Minister last year over the Sikh turban issue in his country.

During his Indian visit in February last year, Mr Villepin, flanked by NCM chief Tarlochan Singh, Shiromani...

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Supreme Court Upholds Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act

May 31, 2005

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=15363

On May 31, 2005 The Associated Press reported, "the Supreme Court today upheld the constitutionality of a federal law requiring state prisons to accommodate inmate religions. Justices unanimously sided with Ohio inmates, including a witch and a Satanist, who had claimed they were denied access to religious literature, ceremonial items and time to worship. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg...

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Indiana Court Expected to Overturn Ruling Preventing Divorced Parents from Exposing Son to Wicca

May 27, 2005

Source: The Indianapolis Star

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050527/NEWS01/505270510/1006

On May 27, 2005 The Indianapolis Star reported, "a court order prohibiting a Marion County father and his ex-wife from exposing their son to 'non-mainstream religious beliefs' is likely to be reversed, legal experts said Thursday.

However, publicity about the divorce case could help better educate people about Wicca, a...

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New York City's Bangladeshi Community Protests Murder, Lack of Justice

May 27, 2005

Source: Independent Press Association

http://www.indypressny.org/article.php3?ArticleID=2111

On May 27, 2005 the Independent Press Association reported, "Mofizur Rahman Tofazzal, an undocumented immigrant from Bangladesh, was murdered on May 6, 2005, by unidentified assailants. Last Sunday, hundreds of people participated in a massive rally held on Chester Avenue, in Brooklyn, in protest against his killing. Amid a heavy downpour, the protesters gathered with...

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Muslims Around the World Protest Qur’an Desecration

May 27, 2005

Source: Los Angeles Times

Wire Service: AP/Reuters

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-052705koran_wr,0,4705094.story?coll=la-home-headlines

On May 27, 2005 the Associated Press reported, "Burning U.S. flags and throwing tomatoes at a likeness of President Bush, Muslims from Dhaka to Jakarta rallied today to protest the alleged desecration of Islam's holy book by military...

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Appeals Court Defends Woman's Right to Choose Mecca Pilgrimage Over Work

May 27, 2005

Source: Duluth News Tribune

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/local/11751898.htm

On May 27, 2005 the Duluth News Tribune reported, "an appeals court ordered state labor officials Thursday to reconsider forcing a Muslim woman to repay unemployment benefits after she turned down work so she could make a pilgrimage to Mecca. The 4th District Court of Appeals reversed a finding by the state Labor and Industry Review Commission,...

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Boston Interfaith Coalition to Push for Universal Health Care

May 26, 2005

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/other/articles/2005/05/26/mass_group_set_to_push_for_universal_healthcare/

On May 26, 2005 The Boston Globe reported, "a coalition of religious and community groups will launch a drive today to put universal healthcare on the 2006 state ballot, in a proposal that would raise the cigarette tax to buy coverage for more people and would require all...

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"In God We Trust" Takes its Place as the Next Church-State Debate

May 25, 2005

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0523/p02s02-uspo.html

On May 25, 2005 The Christian Science Monitor reported, "the words appear on every dollar bill and US coin. They are displayed at the entrance to the US Senate and above the Speaker's chair in the House. But when local officials in North Carolina placed 'In God We Trust' on the front of the Davidson County Government Center, they soon found themselves in federal court facing a...

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Human Rights Activist Calls for Islamic Liberation Theology

May 24, 2005

Source: Muslim Wake Up!

http://www.muslimwakeup.com/main/archives/2005/05/lily_munir_on_i.php

On May 24, 2005 Muslim Wake Up! reported, "Lily Zakiyah Munir is a leading Indonesian Muslim human rights activist. She is the director of the Jakarta-based Centre for Pesantren and Democracy Studies that works with the ‘ulama and students of Indonesian Islamic boarding schools or pesantrens. In this she interview speaks to Yoginder Sikand about her work...

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