Civic

New Jersey Mosque's Outreach Praised as Model for Muslim Communities

August 19, 2002

Source: The Associated Press

On August 19, 2002 The Associated Press reported that after September 11, "mosques around the country recoiled in fear of a backlash from angry Americans... But in Paterson, the northern New Jersey city... the community's leading mosque responded with openness... Leaders of the mosque welcomed outsiders into their center, held a blood drive and collected $15,000 for the Red Cross victims' fund, and offered classes explaining Islam to those of other faiths. They had Christian neighbors in for brunch, and still offer free...

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Pagan Pride Across the U.S., 2002

August 17, 2002

Source: LJworld

On August 17, 2002 LJworld reported that "KC Pagan Pride Day 2002, a community festival celebrating its fifth year, will [take place on] Aug. 24 in Lenexa's Shawnee Mission Park, and event organizers expect about 250 people from the region to attend... 'The people that come (to the festival) have always been friendly, and I believe Christians would be made to feel welcome. It's about educating people. Yes, it has a very pagan slant, but the main focus is community,' said the Rev. Duane Marshall, event coordinator. Marshall is a legal...

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Latino Muslims Receive More Attention and Support

August 17, 2002

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On August 17, 2002, The Houston Chronicle featured an article on the growing number of Latino Muslims in Texas and the U.S. "Some Hispanic Muslims in Houston say the general public often assumes they are of Middle Eastern or Pakistani origin because of their religion. But where they once were an unrecognized 'other' in demographic studies of American Muslim communities, the number of Hispanic converts to Islam is growing... A study of mosques in the United States published in 2001, indicated that about 6 percent of converts...

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Controversy over Required Reading on Islam at University of North Carolina

August 16, 2002

Source: The New York Times

On August 16, 2002, The New York Times reported that "incoming freshmen at the University of North Carolina will participate in discussion groups on Islam's holy text after a judge ruled that having them read about the Quran did not threaten religious freedoms... U.S. District Court judge Carlton Tilley Jr. refused Thursday to grant a temporary restraining order requested by two taxpayers, one of them an official of the conservative Virginia-based Family Policy Network, and three unidentified freshmen."

New Institute to Promote Interfaith Movement

August 15, 2002

Source: Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions' Newsletter

On August 15, 2002 the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions' Newsletter reported that a significant financial contribution will create the Diane Goldin Institute. In Chicago, chairperson Rev. Robert Thompson explained, "'The Goldin Institute will be held annually, beginning this November. This weeklong Institute will provide grassroots community organizers from partner cities around the world with the tools to build or augment the interreligious movement in their own...

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Neighborhood Jews, Hindus and Muslims Come Together to Play Basketball

August 14, 2002

Source: New York Daily News

On August 14, 2002 the New York Daily News reported on a new basketball league experiment in Midwood, New York. The area has "long an enclave of Orthodox and conservative Jewish families - and, more recently, thousands of Pakistani Muslims and Indian Hindus... As waves of hatred and terror continue to flare in the Middle East, they are an experiment in peace." The league is a joint effort of the Council of Pakistan Organization and local Police. "'If they play together, they live together, spend hours together, the hatred may...

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Muslim and Activist Youth Gather to Discuss Discrimination

August 14, 2002

Source: San Jose Mercury News

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/3861041.htm

On August 14, 2002 the San Jose Mercury News reported that "an ethnically diverse group of 60 students participated in... the first-ever meeting between the American Civil Liberties Union's Howard A. Friedman First Amendment Education Project and the American Muslim Alliance Youth Think Tank, a group dedicated to getting Muslims involved in the political process... Much...

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Washington Mosque Invites Neighbors for Celebration of Thanks

August 12, 2002

Source: The Seattle Times

On August 12, 2002 The Seattle Times reported in the Northgate area of Seattle, Washington, the "Idriss Mosque received an outpouring of support after it was vandalized shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks. Now, some neighbors have become friends...    Yesterday, the mosque held a barbecue to say thanks to those who supported it after the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks, when Muslims - and the mosque itself - became targets of violence... Dozens of neighbors and mosque worshipers mingled in the breezy shade behind...

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Muslim-American Woman Sues Florida DMV

August 11, 2002

Source: The New York Times

On August 11, 2002 The New York Times reported that Sultaana Freeman, an American-born Muslim woman, "had no trouble getting a Florida driver's license last year even though she insisted on being photographed in a veil that reveals only her eyes...    After Sept. 11, however, state officials had a change of heart. In December, they said her license would be revoked if she refused to be re-photographed without the veil. Instead of complying, Ms. Freeman gave up her license - and then sued the state to get it back...    ...

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Increases in Law Suits over Posting Ten Commandments in Public Places

August 8, 2002

Source: Los Angeles Times

On August 8, 2002 the Los Angeles Times reported that "two years ago, about a dozen legal cases were working their way through the courts regarding the posting of the Ten Commandments on public property - schools and parks, even city halls. Now the number has risen to about 20, legal experts say... 'It may be that both sides are getting more aggressive about litigation,' said Douglas Laycock, a law professor at the University of Texas in Austin. 'You're not going to get a national consensus on this.'"

Rev. Franklin Graham Continues Pattern of Publicly Defaming Islam

August 8, 2002

Source: The Washington Times

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20020808-13967463.htm

On August 8, 2002 The Washington Times featured an article on the continuing anti-Muslim public statements of Rev. Franklin Graham. "The 50-year-old evangelist - the fourth child of the Rev. Billy Graham... is making his dislike of certain Islamic practices known far and wide. The other night on Fox News' 'Hannity and Colmes,' he said the Koran preaches violence... After...

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Michigan Muslim Americans Mount Voting Campaign

August 8, 2002

Source: The Detroit Free Press

http://www.freep.com/news/politics/wvote2_20020802.htm

On August 8, 2002 The Detroit Free Press reported that "Arab Americans and Muslims in Michigan are mounting an ambitious campaign to get out the vote for candidates they favor... Arab Americans say their votes may play a decisive role in close races... Regardless of their influence, it's important to participate, especially in a post-Sept. 11 climate where their civil rights are...

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Post Office Stamps Recognize Religious Diversity of America

August 8, 2002

Source: The Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?artid=18486173

On August 8, 2002, The Times of India reported in their West edition that U.S. "Congressman Gary Ackerman has joined the campaign for the issuance of a US postage stamp to commemorate Diwali... 'For Hindus, the holiday of Diwali is comparable in magnitude to Christmas for Christians,' Ackerman said in a letter to Dr. Virginia Noelke, chairperson of the US Citizens...

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Controversy over Required Reading on Islam at University of North Carolina

August 7, 2002

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57379-2002Aug7.html

On August 7, 2002, The Washington Post featured an editorial by Prof. Michael Sells. "The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, is being sued for assigning my book, Approaching the Qur'an: The Early Revelations, as required summer reading for first-year students... The plaintiffs charge that UNC indoctrinates students with deceptive claims about the...

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