Civic

Uproar Over Wiccan Chaplain Hired at Wisconsin Prison

December 8, 2001

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On December 8, 2001, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that "in response to the state's hiring of a Wiccan as a prison chaplain, a state lawmaker said Friday that he plans to draft legislation making the percentage of prisoners who practice a certain faith an eligibility requirement to be a chaplain... Rep. Scott Walker (R-Wauwatosa), chairman of the Assembly's Corrections Committee, questioned the wisdom of Waupun Correctional Institution in hiring the Rev. Jamyi Witch of Mount Horeb as one of its two prison...

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Bush Freezes Assets of Texas-based Holy Land Foundation, a Muslim Charity

December 5, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On December 5, 2001, The New York Times reported "Bush Freezes Assets of Biggest U.S. Muslim Charity, Calling It a Deadly Terror Group." The article noted that "Mr. Bush accused the charity of supporting Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that took responsibility for three suicide bombings in Israel over the weekend." It continued, "Treasury officials said the charity, the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, based in Richardson, Tex., had been under investigation since 1993. ... Officials said the group relied on...

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Citizens Honored at the Capitol for Support of Arab-American and Muslim Neighbors

December 4, 2001

Source: Department of Energy

http://www.energy.gov/HQPress/releases01/decpr/pr01203_v.htm

On December 4, 2001, The Department of Energy issued a press release stating, "Secretary of Energy Abraham Joins Members of Congress to Present Distinguished Citizen Awards." It read, in part: "Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham was joined by Members of Congress and the Chairman of the Arab American Institute in a ceremony on Capitol Hill honoring distinguished citizens with a...

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Female Pilot Wins Suit Over Clothing Rules in Saudi Arabia

December 4, 2001

Source: The Boston Globe

On December 4, 2001, The Boston Globe reported that "the Air Force's highest-ranking female fighter pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Martha McSally, sued... to try to overturn a policy requiring servicewomen to wear restrictive Muslim clothing when off base in Saudi Arabia... McSally said the policy is unconstitutional and discriminatory. The US Central Command said the policy helps protect women from harassment."

Bush Freezes Assets of Texas-based Holy Land Foundation, a Muslim Charity

December 4, 2001

Source: The American Muslim Council

http://www.amconline.org/cgi-bin/update/viewnews.cgi?newsid1007570421,31748,

On December 4, 2001, The American Muslim Council issued a statement which read, in part: "American Muslims support President Bush's effort to cut off funding for terrorism and call for a peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict, but that goal is not achieved by taking food out of the mouths of Palestinian orphans or by succumbing to...

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Hindu Temple in Connecticut Raises $20,000 for WTC Victims

December 1, 2001

Source: India New England News

On December 1, 2001, India New England News reported that "In the weeks following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S., members of the Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society pulled together and raised $20,000 for World Trade Center relief." The article quoted Dina Bhatt, vice president of the society: "We are Americans, we live here and our children are growing up here. ... We love to help and everybody is interested in doing so." Temple president Prasad Srinivasan noted, "All of us have come here with our rich...

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Tribes form Coalition to Save Sacred Lake

December 1, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On Saturday December 1, 2001, The New York Times reported that "environmental groups and Indian tribes... formed the Zuni Salt Lake Coalition... to fight a utility company's plan to strip mine coal in Western New Mexico... Tribal members say the 18,000 acre area is sacred, especially the Zuni Salt Lake, where salt is extracted for religious ceremonies."

Celebrating Guru Nanak's Birthday in America, 2001

November 30, 2001

Source: The San Jose Mercury News

http://www0.mercurycenter.com/premium/local/docs/guru30.htm

On November 30, 2001, The San Jose Mercury News reported "Sikhs in Bay Area and worldwide celebrate founder's birthday." It noted that, "In the Bay Area, birthday celebrations for Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh guru, born in 1469, will occur at gurdwaras, or temples, in Fremont, El Sobrante, Hayward and San Jose ... At many of the gurdwaras, including the one in Fremont...

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Interfaith Thanksgiving, 2001

November 30, 2001

Source: The Times-Picayune

On November 30, 2001, The Times-Picayune featured the article "Giving thanks to the Sikhs." It noted, "St. Philip Community Center wishes to thank the members of the Sikh community of New Orleans ... for their generous contribution of food baskets which provided Thanksgiving meals to many families in need. The Sikh community of New Orleans has been supporting this cause for the past 13 years." The St. Philip Community Center operates under the auspices of the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Arson at New York Sikh Center, Gobind Sadan USA

November 27, 2001

Source: Gobind Sadan USA

http://www.gobindsadan.org/gsusa/messagetoamerica.shtml

On November 27, 2001, Baba Varsa Singh ("Babaji"), founder of Gobind Sadan, offered a "Message to America" about the suspected arson. "'Perhaps this is God's way of giving us the opportunity of bringing people of all faiths together to share in rebuilding this sacred house of God and making it an even more beautiful place.'" He offered thanks and cited the ways in which the community has...

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Controversy Over Comments of College Instructor: Free Speech or Hate Speech?

November 26, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-000094160nov26.story?coll=la%2Dheadlines%2Dpe%2Dcalifornia

On November 26, 2001, The Los Angeles Times reported "Results of an independent probe into allegations that an Orange Coast College instructor vilified his Muslim students are expected to be released this week, with findings certain to draw intense scrutiny nationwide...

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Chicago Muslims Plan Ramadan Display

November 24, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 24, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that "Chicago Muslims plan to mark the current holy month of Ramadan by building a minaret display at Daley Plaza in early December, joining Christians and Jews as they decorate the public square for their holidays. The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago has preliminary approval to build a 30-foot reproduction of the tower used to call Muslims to prayer and an illuminated crescent moon affixed to a dome. The display will stand alongside a Hanukkah menorah and...

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California Students Gather for Ramadan Prayers

November 23, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On November 23, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that at lunchtime during Ramadan at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School a group of students gathers for prayers. "This year, these students, ages 14 to 18, are determined to stand up for their faith through prayer in this quiet yet public way. They say that praying together during Ramadan is one way they can show their commitment to a religion that has recently become the most discussed, criticized and defended of any in the world."

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