Civic

Appeals Court Rules "Under God" in Pledge of Allegiance Unconstitutional

June 27, 2002

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=16477

On June 27, 2002, The Associated Press reported that "a federal appeals court panel drew outrage from across the political spectrum by ruling yesterday that it is unconstitutional for school children to recite the Pledge of Allegiance but the decision may not last long." Read more on the...

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Muslim Woman Fights Florida's New Requirement for Non-Veiled License Photo

June 27, 2002

Source: The New York Times

On June 27, 2002 The New York Times reported that "a Muslim woman who says the state [of Florida] is violating her religious rights in demanding that she remove her veil for a driver's license photograph will be in court this week to try to regain her driving privileges" without having to re-take her current license photograph.

Land Use Battles in Southern California Halt Construction on Jewish House of Worship

June 26, 2002

Source: Los Angeles Times

On June 26, 2002 the Los Angeles Times reported city officials have halted the construction work on a home used by Congregation Etz Chaim, for Orthodox Jewish services, part of an on-going battle over zoning in the residential neighborhood. "Congregation Etz Chaim's dilemma was cited by federal lawmakers when they passed the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000...    The law prohibits local land-use and zoning regulations from substantially burdening religious practice, unless officials can show a...

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Long Island Muslims Reach Out to FBI and Police

June 24, 2002

Source: Newsday

http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/ny-liisla222762011jun24.story

On June 24, 2002 Newsday reported that two FBI agents and a representative from the New York City police observed Friday prayers at the Islamic Center of Long Island. "They came at the invitation of Ghazi Khankan, director of Interfaith Affairs at the Westbury [NY] center, who wants to build a relationship between the Muslim community and law enforcement agencies...

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Alarm Over Anti-Muslim Comments at Southern Baptist Convention Meeting

June 24, 2002

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On June 24, 2002, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette featured a letter to the Editor from Rabbi James Gibson, responding to the comments of Rev. Vines. "I am the senior rabbi of Temple Sinai in Squirrel Hill and have worked to improve inter-group relations in Pittsburgh for the last 14 years. I am shocked at Mr. Vines' callous disregard for interfaith sensibilities as well as his ignorance about Islam... Every person of faith, regardless of their belief, should demand a public retraction of Mr. Vines' statement. Neither explanation...

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American Jews Respond To FBI Warning

June 23, 2002

Source: The Boston Globe

On June 23, 2002 The Boston Globe reported that "songs, food, and prayer filled Boston-area synagogues during yesterday's Sabbath services as usual, despite Friday's FBI warning of possible fuel tank attacks on American synagogues or Jewish schools... Police departments in Boston, Brookline, Newton, and Sharon have all been contacting local synagogues and schools to tell them to be on heightened alert after captured Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters mentioned a plot to attack American synagogues or schools in recent interviews by the...

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Update: Arson at Gobind Sadan

June 20, 2002

Source: Gobind Sadan USA

On June 20, 2002, Gobind Sadan USA issued a press release announcing that "representatives from the the Committee for the Reconstruction of Gobind Sadan Interfaith Center in Palermo [NY] will receive a $500 grant from the Boston Piano Religious Trust to help repair damage from what local police and fire officials have determined is an act of arson."

School Guard's Friday Prayer Accommodated

June 18, 2002

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/3492166.htm

On June 18, 2002 The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that "a Muslim security officer at Olney High School accused the Philadelphia School District yesterday of violating his civil rights by refusing to let him leave campus each Friday afternoon to pray at a mosque... Milton McGriff, a school district spokesman, said officials were...

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Supreme Court Rules that Religious Groups have Right to Promote Door-to-Door

June 18, 2002

Source: The San Francisco Chronicle

On June 18, 2002 The San Francisco Chronicle reported that "the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that politicians, religious groups, the Girl Scouts and others have a constitutional right to go door-to-door promoting their causes without first getting permission from local officials... The ruling was a victory for the Jehovah's Witnesses, who argued that a law in the Village of Stratton, Ohio, violated their rights of free speech, free exercise of religion and freedom of the press."

Discrimination Against Muslim Americans Down in Maine

June 18, 2002

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/169/metro/Anti_Muslim_acts_drop_in_Maine+.shtml

On June 18, 2002 The Boston Globe reported that "while incidents of racial and religious intolerance directed toward Muslims living in Maine have decreased since Sept. 11, they are continuing, according to a study released yesterday by the University of Southern Maine's Center...

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