Civic

Controversy Over Saudi Contributions to American Muslims

December 1, 2002

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/la-me-saudi1dec01001516,0,5307913.story

On December 1, 2002 the Los Angeles Times reported that "one of the nation's most prominent Islamic organizations has accepted a $500,000 donation from a Saudi prince, sparking a blunt debate among American Muslims over whether foreign contributions are compromising their independence and the integrity of their organizations. Omar Ahmed, board chairman of the Council on...

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Lawsuits Over Governmental Funding of Faith Works Milwaukee

November 30, 2002

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On November 30, 2002 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that "the American Jewish Committee has filed a legal brief urging a federal appeals court to maintain separation of church and state as it decides a Milwaukee-based case. The organization, a Jewish interest group concerned with religious pluralism, filed the brief along with the Anti-Defamation League and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. The filing opposes government funding of Faith Works Milwaukee, a residential treatment program...

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Continuing Controversy Over Ten Commandments and Municipal Buildings

November 30, 2002

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=17314

On November 30, 2002 The Associated Press reported that "the [Ogden, UT] City Council has decided to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the municipal building lawn rather than continue a court battle over the display. The council had considered appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court a ruling that found that if the city allowed the commandments monument it...

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Christmas Creche Scene and the Establishment Clause

November 30, 2002

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On November 30, 2002 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that "almost three months ago, police officials directed the Christian Leaders Fellowship to erect parking signs on Grant Street, adjacent to the popular Christmas creche scene by USX Tower Downtown. Then this week, after the signs went up, the city's top lawyer said the signs may be illegal and should come down. Looking for a compromise, other city officials said parking should still be allowed by the creche, but not marked by the church-funded signs. So...

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Hanukkah in America, 2002

November 30, 2002

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.globe.com/dailyglobe2/334/metro/Some_Jews_objecting_to_menorah_ceremony+.shtml

On November 30, 2002 The Boston Globe reported that "when a 6-foot electric menorah is lit on Westford Common tomorrow afternoon, it will be with the blessing of the town's Board of Selectmen and the community's Christian clergy. It's some of the town's Jewish residents and at least one area rabbi who would like to see...

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Bush Praises Islam as "Peace-Loving Faith"

November 30, 2002

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55273-2002Nov29.html

On November 30, 2002 The Washington Post reported that "in a score of speeches since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the president has called for tolerance of Muslims, describing Islam as 'a faith based upon peace and love and compassion' and a religion committed to 'morality and learning and tolerance.' But a large number of foreign policy hawks -- some of them...

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Update: Menorah in Cincinnati's Downtown Plaza

November 29, 2002

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.austin360.com/aas/news/ap/ap_story.html/Washington/AP.V0092.AP-Scotus-Display.html

On November 29, 2002 The Associated Press reported that "the Supreme Court late Friday upheld a federal judge's ruling that the city of Cincinnati cannot bar a Jewish organization from displaying a menorah on a downtown plaza during the holidays. The court lifted a stay by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of...

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Interfaith Thanksgiving 2002

November 29, 2002

Source: Rocky Mountain News

On November 29, 2002 Rocky Mountain News reported that "held in a different worship center every year, Denver's oldest Thanksgiving interfaith service was begun in the 1880s by two churches and a synagogue. The event has expanded to include three more Christian and Jewish groups and the Buddhist Temple, which has participated for almost 30 years. The one-hour service was capped by a bread-sharing ritual and closed with America the Beautiful. The service will be held next year at Central Christian Church in Denver."

Interfaith Thanksgiving 2002

November 27, 2002

Source: Chicago Daily Herald

On November 27, 2002 the Chicago Daily Herald reported that "a smorgasbord of religions will emphasize the spiritual side of Thanksgiving next week. Participants in the DuPage Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will include Muslims, Catholics, Jews, Zoroastrians, Hindus, Sikhs, Bahais and theosophists. The annual service began in the early 1990s after members of the DuPage Interfaith Resource Network decided they could find common ground in recognizing that Thanksgiving goes deeper than turkey and football. The ceremony will...

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Cardinal Law Shares Prayers with boston-Area Muslims

November 27, 2002

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/329/metro/Law_shares_prayers_feast_hope_with_Muslims+.shtml

On November 27, 2002 The Boston Globe reported that "wearing a gold crucifix and a flowing black robe with red trim, Law removed his shoes. Then, as the imam chanted the sunset prayers, the bishop knelt with his forehead just inches from the carpet and offered praise to Allah. No doubt, Law looked out of place...

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Christians and Muslims Unite to Help Homeless

November 27, 2002

Source: USA TODAY

On November 27, 2002 USA TODAY reported that "the volunteers who serve meals at the First Congregational Church in Washington, D.C., also give sustenance to another ideal -- this is a country where Muslims and Christians live and work together. Imam Johari Abdel-Malik and the Rev. Graylan Hagler conceived the idea of a Muslim-Christian volunteer effort early this fall. 'We are a community under siege after Sept. 11,' says Abdel-Malik, who is a Muslim chaplain at Howard University. 'We need to come out of our bubble. This is a good...

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Update: Controversy Over Sikh Temple Election in Fremont, California

November 26, 2002

Source: The Argus

http://www.theargusonline.com/Stories/0,1413,83%257E1971%257E1014070,00.html

On November 26, 2002 The Argus reported that "about 3,500 people have applied for membership to the Bay Area's largest and wealthiest Sikh temple, which would allow them to vote in a court-ordered election to decide leadership. However, the Jan. 12 election may be postponed up to a year because the five current leaders, or Supreme Council members, are...

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Habitat for Humanity to Use Interfaith Coalition to Build Home

November 25, 2002

Source: Connecticut Post

On November 25, 2002 the Connecticut Post reported that "Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bridgeport [CT], using for the first time, an interfaith coalition of support, will have a two-story, four-bedroom house for Sundus, her parents and five siblings sitting on the property. Salem Lutheran will be teamed with members of Al-Aziz Islamic Center, Congregations B'nai Israel and Rodelph Sholom and Shiloh Baptist Church, all of Bridgeport, and Congregation Beth El of Fairfield. Habitat executive director Bob Knebel said the organization...

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"What Would Jesus Drive?"

November 25, 2002

Source: The National Council of Churches

http://www.ncccusa.org/news/02news99.html

On November 25, 2002 The National Council of Churches reported that "a delegation of American religious leaders - carrying an open letter from over 100 heads of denominations and senior religious leaders from 21 states to automobile executives - is in Detroit today to launch a major national effort to get Ford, GM, and Chrysler to build cleaner, more efficient cars. Against a backdrop of...

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Symbolic Cleansing of Courthouse Steps after Ku Klux Klan Rally

November 25, 2002

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On November 25, 2002 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that "a crowd of white, black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist Milwaukeeans joined forces for a symbolic cleansing of the federal courthouse steps where white supremacists had rallied the day before. The Sunday ceremony followed a Saturday rally by about 50 members of the Ku Klux Klan, the National Socialist Movement and the World Church of the Creator, whose message of white separatism was jeered by hundreds of protesters...

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