Civic

Utah Imam Educates Law Enforcement Officers about Cultural Sensitivity

July 20, 2003

Source: The Salt Lake Tribune

http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Jul/07202003/utah/77049.asp

On July 20, 2003 The Salt Lake Tribune reported that "over the course of the dozens of presentations he has given to college students, churches and community groups about Muslim culture since Sept. 11, 2001, Shuaib-Ud Din practically had become an official spokesman for Utah Muslims... Now the imam at West Valley City's Khadeeja mosque is doubly certified -- this time by the U.S....

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Iranian Jewish community in Los Angeles and Their Role in Student Protests in Iran

July 18, 2003

Source: Jewish Journal

http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=9692818dc9b706fc1ce59502ed17829d

On July 18, 2003 the Jewish Journal reported that "as student protests against the Iranian regime swept the streets of Tehran and other cities in the country, the large Iranian Jewish community in Los Angeles followed developments with fervent interest, while keeping a low public profile... Actively cheering on the...

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New England's Native American Community Launches Campaign to Make Deer Isle, MA, Off-limits to Dogs

July 17, 2003

Source: The Boston Globe

On July 17, 2003 The Boston Globe published an editorial by Adrian Walker entitled "Adrian Walker; No Walk in the Park" in which Walker expressed his views concerning the campaign to make Deer Isle, MA off-limits to dogs. Walker wrote, "Two powerful forces - history and dog walkers - are heading toward a collision at the unlikely site of Deer Island. To many of us, who can easily pass a decade without ever setting foot on the place, Deer Island is simply the site of one of the world's largest sewage-treatment plants. To its Winthrop...

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Finding Halal Food in New Jersey

July 16, 2003

Source: Newhouse News Service

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-1/105835024062400.xml

On July 16, 2003 Newhouse News Service reported that "in July 2000, New Jersey became the first state to pass a law to protect consumers of halal food, but three years later the rules still have not been implemented, to the dismay of the Muslim community... The delay has not slowed the rapid expansion of halal food options in the state... 'When...

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Congressional Bill to Protect Sacred Lands

July 15, 2003

Source: Indian Country Today

http://www.indiancountry.com/?1058276384

On July 15, 2003 the Indian Country Today reported that "for the second time in two years a bill in the California legislature is attempting to amend an existing law to protect at least a portion of California Indian sacred sites... Assembly Bill 974, authored by Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-San Rafael, is seeking to amend the California Coastal Act, which was enacted in 1976 to include protection of American...

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Update: Kathuria First Sikh to Run for Senate

July 15, 2003

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

http://www.suntimes.com/output/elect/cst-nws-sen15.html

On July 15, 2003 the Chicago Sun-Times reported that "Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria is running for U.S. Senate and pledging to pump as much as $6 million to $15 million of his own money into the race... If elected, the Oak Brook Republican would be the first native of India and the first Sikh to serve in the U.S. Senate... 'Don't let the beard and turban fool you,' Kathuria said. 'I am an...

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Plaques with Biblical Psalms Removed from Grand Canyon

July 14, 2003

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/local/7_14_03grand_canyon.html

On July 14, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "the National Park Service has decided plaques with biblical psalms at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon violate the Constitution, and removed them Wednesday... However, the Park Service decided one of the main trails into Grand Canyon may carry the name Bright Angel, and a number of the formations can share the names of...

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Editorial: Immigration and the U.S.

July 13, 2003

Source: Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk

On July 13, 2003 the Guardian printed an editorial by Gary Younge stating that "The US, however, thrives on an altogether more optimistic view of immigration into which the recent treatment of immigrants fits less easily - the notion not only that it is the home of successive generations of immigrants but the model for successful immigration itself. It is an image that goes back to the Mayflower carrying asylum seekers in search of a land where they...

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Fort Wayne Pagan Alliance to Organize Festival in Indiana

July 13, 2003

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/6/057639-6106-127.html

On July 13, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "Elizabeth Markey wants people to know pagans do not turn people into toads and put spells on people... Markey, co-founder of the Fort Wayne Pagan Alliance, said she and others like her practice an Earth-based religion that is often misunderstood by people... '...

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Carbondale Ethnic Festival Interfaith Service in Illinois

July 13, 2003

Source: The Southern

http://www.southernillinoisan.com/rednews/2003/07/14/build/local/LOC001.html

On July 13, 2003 The Southern reported that "people of all religious faiths and backgrounds need to take the messages they learn in their houses of worship and come together as a unified force for the betterment of their communities... That was the message of Rabbi Mark Shook of Temple Israel in St. Louis, who spoke at the Carbondale Ethnic Festival...

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Update: Muslim Youth Camp in Iowa Approved

July 13, 2003

Source: Des Moines Register

http://desmoinesregister.com/opinion/stories/c2125555/21697425.html

On July 13, 2003 the Des Moines Register published an editorial by the Register Editorial Board stating that "opposition to establishing the first summer camp for Muslim youth in the nation by Coralville Lake may be based on concerns about protecting the environment, the cost of government services needed and increased traffic, but that's not all... Suspicion...

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Update: Obon Celebrations in California

July 12, 2003

Source: Appeal-Democrat

http://www.appeal-democrat.com/071303/071203mhsObon.shtml

On July 12, 2003 the Appeal-Democrat reported that "Saturday night, [Toshiye] Kawamura danced several dances with a group of women and girls on stage at the Buddhist Church of Marysville [WA] during the annual Obon Festival. A larger circle of revelers, many of whom had practiced four or six times previously, followed their guides' moves... Japanese paper lanterns kept the evening...

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Bhagavati Members Deliver Food and Teachings in West Hollywood Streets

July 12, 2003

Source: Ventura County Star

http://www.insidevc.com/vcs/religion_and_ethics/article/0,1375,VCS_151_2104695,00.html

On July 12, 2003 the Ventura County Star reported that "Arnold Pomerantz was once a vice president and division director for Payless Shoesource. Now retired, he and about two dozen other core members of an interfaith community in West Hollywood devote themselves to the teachings of Bhagavati and explain to outsiders why...

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Buddhists to Hold Open House and Discuss Building of Monastery

July 12, 2003

Source: King County Journal

http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/137207

On July 12, 2003 the King County Journal reported that "Buddhist monks intent on building a monastery on their [Woodinville, WA] property say they will hold an open house and barbecue today. They have invited 120 neighbors for the event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m... Neighbors protested, saying the monks would attract several hundred individuals and scores of vehicles, in effect...

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