Civic

On Day of Prayer, Piety Mixes With Politics

May 6, 2004

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0506/p01s03-uspo.html

On May 6, 2004 The Christian Science Monitor reported, "As they voice their values before God and neighbor in this election year, faith communities are finding prayer can provide a disarming and galvanizing type of communication around otherwise divisive political issues. But as they do, they're proceeding carefully with the aim that their prayers, however well intentioned, don't...

Read more about On Day of Prayer, Piety Mixes With Politics

Controversy Over the Call to Prayer Continues in MI

May 6, 2004

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/features/religion/la-na-mosque6may06,1,4762580.story?coll=la-news-religion

On May 6, 2004 the Los Angeles Times reported on the continuing controversy over the call to prayer in Hamtramck, "The City Council in this community of 23,000 last week approved the mosque's request to amplify the traditional call to prayer. The imam says the chant, which lasts about a minute and a...

Read more about Controversy Over the Call to Prayer Continues in MI

Americans United Cites Bias on National Day of Prayer

May 6, 2004

Source: Americans United for Separation of Church and State

http://www.au.org/site/PageServer?pagename=issues_publiclife_NDPbackgrounder

On May 6, 2004 Americans United for Separation of Church and State reported, "Religious Right forces are using the National Day of Prayer as a vehicle to promote a controversial religious and political agenda, charges Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Congress by federal law has designated...

Read more about Americans United Cites Bias on National Day of Prayer

France Takes Lead in "Europe-Wide Crackdown" on Extremist Imams

May 6, 2004

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0506/p01s04-woeu.html

On May 6, 2004 The Christian Science Monitor reported, "As European governments crack down on radical imams as part of their battle against Islamic terrorism, they have laid bare a central problem for millions of their Muslim citizens: a lack of homegrown religious leaders to guide their integration into Western societies. Overwhelmingly foreign, and sometimes speaking only Arabic...

Read more about France Takes Lead in "Europe-Wide Crackdown" on Extremist Imams

ACLU Protests "Sectarian" Prayers at City Council

May 5, 2004

Source: Sign On San Diego

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20040505-1551-aclu.html

On May 5, 2004 Sign On San Diego reported, "The American Civil Liberties Union sent a warning letter to the La Mesa City Council today, urging the panel to discontinue invocations that include specific references to Christianity. The letter asks Mayor Art Madrid and members of the council to adopt a policy ensuring that future invocations are non-sectarian, according...

Read more about ACLU Protests "Sectarian" Prayers at City Council

Crosses Reappear in Classrooms of Catholic College

May 5, 2004

Source: The Journal News

http://www.nyjournalnews.com/newsroom/050504/b0105ionacrosses.html

On May 5, 2004 The Journal News reported, "Iona College students returned from spring break a few weeks ago to a subtle, unannounced change in their classrooms. 'Some people took a double-take, like 'There are crucifixes in our classrooms. When did that happen?' ' said Karol Markosky, 22, a senior from Bethel, Conn. "I think it's a nice addition. People are...

Read more about Crosses Reappear in Classrooms of Catholic College

Police Dept. Found Guilty of Discrimination in Sikh Turban Case

May 4, 2004

Source: CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/04/30/turban.cop/

On May 4, 2004 CNN reported, "An administrative law judge has found the New York Police Department guilty of religious discrimination by banning a Sikh police officer from wearing a turban while on the job. Jasjit Singh Jaggi, a former traffic enforcement agent with the department, filed the complaint with the city's Commission on Human Rights in June 2002. He said the department discriminated against him because it...

Read more about Police Dept. Found Guilty of Discrimination in Sikh Turban Case

Government Proposes Censoring Imam's Sermons, Requiring Registration With Govt

May 4, 2004

Source: The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1208815,00.html

On May 4, 2004 The Guardian reported, "The Spanish government is considering censoring the sermons of Muslim imams in an attempt to control the spread of radical Islamic ideas - a move that has been criticised as a lurch towards authoritarianism. The interior minister, Jos� Antonio Alonso, suggested the plan, which could also see a requirement that all preachers...

Read more about Government Proposes Censoring Imam's Sermons, Requiring Registration With Govt

Profile of a Sikh Cyber-Activist

May 4, 2004

Source: The Oakland Tribune

http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82~1726~2126289,00.html

On May 4, 2004 The Oakland Tribune reported, " Vicky Singh was a high school student in Georgia when he met a man who changed his life. 'He was a very old person, a World War II veteran,' said Singh, now 21. 'He was happy to see me with a turban -- even though I didn't know him -- and he said he served with a group of Sikhs in World War II. He said, 'Your...

Read more about Profile of a Sikh Cyber-Activist

It's Time For NYPD to Give Up Ban on Turbans

May 3, 2004

Source: Newsday

http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpsik033783716may03,0,4427659.story?coll=ny-editorials-headlines

On May 3, 2004 Newsday reported, "Amric Singh Rathour and Jasjit Singh Jaggi share more than name and religion. The devout Sikh men wanted to be New York City traffic agents so much that they sought legal redress to wear banned turbans with their uniforms. An administrative law judge ruled in Jaggi's...

Read more about It's Time For NYPD to Give Up Ban on Turbans

Under Pressure, City Removes Cross from Official Seal

May 2, 2004

Source: The First Amendment Center

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=13266

On May 2, 2004 The First Amendment Center reported, "A Southern California city has agreed to remove a cross from its official seal under pressure from the American Civil Liberties Union.

For nearly 40 years, a shimmering cross hovering over a church steeple has been emblazoned on the seal of Redlands, about 70 miles east of Los Angeles. It was to be removed by April...

Read more about Under Pressure, City Removes Cross from Official Seal

Religious Discrimination in Faith-Based Initiatives

May 2, 2004

Source: The Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/printedition/chi-0405020434may02,1,7967770.column

On May 2, 2004 The Chicago Tribune reported that a serious question arises "when it looks like politicians might have a religious test for deciding whom should receive government services. That question has arisen with new vigor lately, as the White House seeks additional funding for 'faith-based initiatives,' a jewel in...

Read more about Religious Discrimination in Faith-Based Initiatives

Muslim Doctoral Student Charged With Maintaining Islamic Web Sites

May 2, 2004

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/27/national/27BOIS.html

On May 2, 2004 The New York Times reported, "Graduate student, Sami Omar al-Hussayen, is on trial in a heavily guarded courtroom [in Moscow, Idaho], accused of plotting to aid and to maintain Islamic Web sites that promote jihad. As a Web master to several Islamic organizations, Mr. Hussayen helped to maintain Internet sites with links to groups that praised suicide bombings in...

Read more about Muslim Doctoral Student Charged With Maintaining Islamic Web Sites

Two Voices on the Role of Religion in Democracy

May 1, 2004

Source: The Kansas City Star

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/living/religion/8560007.htm

On May 1, 2004 The Kansas City Star published responses by a Buddhist monk and a Baptist Reverend to the question: "Should religion play a part in our democratic system of government?" The Rev. Tony Cobbins, pastor of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, said: "I personally feel that religion should definitely play a role in the democratic process......

Read more about Two Voices on the Role of Religion in Democracy

Pages