Source: Los Angeles Times

On July 7, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that "Diana Eck, a Harvard professor of comparative religion and Indian studies, has become one of America's leading voices on religious pluralism...Her latest book, 'A New Religious America'...challenges all Americans to embrace the astonishing religious diversity that now animates the nation...In Los Angeles, efforts to deal with religious diversity began early. The city launched the nation's first interfaith council 25 years ago."

Source: Newsday

On July 7, 2001, Newsday reported on the support services that many religious groups offer to members with AIDS. "But many searching for a religious sanctuary say they aren't finding the healing and warmth promised at many houses of worship. Instead, some say, they find hypocrisy and rejection...Even at houses of worship that actively reach out to AIDS and HIV sufferers [including some Episcopalian and Catholic churches, the Congregational United Church of Christ, the First United Methodist Church, many synagogues, and some Buddhist retreats...

Source: The Plain Dealer

On July 6, 2001, The Plain Dealer reported that "more than 5,000 Muslims...are gathering in Cleveland for the opening today of the annual meeting of the Islamic Circle of North America. This is the first time a national Muslim group has held a convention in the city." Muslims ae planning a "rally for justice in the Middle East and Kashmir and for a controversial activist accused killing a deputy sheriff in Atlanta." This is the beginning of political activism on the part of Northeast Ohio create a backlash of anti-Muslim prejudice...

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/today/

On July 6, 2001, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that "more than 5,000 Muslims...are gathering in Cleveland for the opening today of the annual meeting of the Islamic Circle of North America. This is the first time a national Muslim group has held a convention in the city." It is part of the Muslim entrance into the American public arena.

Source: The Plain Dealer

On July 6, 2001, The Plain Dealer reported that "more than 5,000 Muslims...are gathering in Cleveland for the opening today of the annual meeting of the Islamic Circle of North America. This is the first time a national Muslim group has held a convention in the city." Muslims are planning a "rally for justice in the Middle East and Kashmir and for a controversial activist accused of killing a deputy sheriff in Atlanta." This is the beginning of political activism on the part of Northeast Ohio Muslims, who "40 years ago had only one...

Source: The Arizona Republic

On July 6, 2001, The Arizona Republic reported that "Arizona's diverse faith community will kick off an anti-hate campaign...in response to a White-power leader's plans to recruit here for the White Aryan Resistance...Congregations will begin a 'Not in Our State' campaign, coordinated by...the National Conference for Community and Justice. The American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, the Arizona Catholic Conference and numerous churches have signed on with the campaign ."

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

On July 5, 2001, The Christian Science Monitor reported that "the [Bush] administration and Republican leaders in the House of Representatives made some changes last week to the Community Solutions Act (HR 7) that deal directly with a central issue of concern to critics [of Bush's faith-based initiative]: the separation of church and state." Under the changes, "religious groups that receive grants would now be required to keep any religious activity or instruction separate from the government-funded programming......

Source: The New York Times

On July 5, 2001, The New York Times reported that "many observant Muslims and experts in Shariah, or Islamic law, do not agree whether [the Qur'an's prohibition on usury] bans any interest at all or only excessive interest...A growing number of Muslims...are seeking an alternative that adheres to the stricter interpretation of Islamic law."

Source: The Boston Globe

On July 4, 2001, The Boston Globe reported that "Falun Gong practitioners are in the middle of a march to Washington, D.C., to express solidarity with the spiritual group human rights activists say is persecuted in its native China...Falun Gong advocates a mix of meditative exercises and moral precepts and was banned in China as a cult in 1999." About 200 local Falun Gong practitioners are in the Boston area, most of whom are Chinese immigrants.

Source: The Detroit News

http://detnews.com/2001/schools/0107/04/a08-243315.htm

On July 4, 2001, The Detroit News reported that "the mother of a 12-year-old girl who committed suicide five months ago has filed a $10-million lawsuit against the Lincoln Park School District, claiming school administrators turned a blind eye to students who teased the girl about her religious beliefs...Much of the teasing revolved around [the girl's] belief in Wicca, a pagan religion...

Source: rediff.com

On July 3, 2001, rediff.com reported that Harish Bharti, the Seattle lawyer who's filed a lawsuit against McDonald's,...said he had concrete evidence that the company knowingly lied to vegetarian consumers about its beef-flavored fries...Bharti released...a letter that was sent by McDonald's' corporate headquarters to a consumer in response to an inquiry about vegetarian menu items," which informed the consumer that the French fries were cooked in 100% vegetable oil. "...

Source: The Rocky Mountain News

On July 3, 2001, The Rocky Mountain News reported that "a federal judge correctly ruled that the Freedom from Religion Foundation can't post an anti-religion sign inside Denver's annual Christmas display on the City Hall steps, an appeals court decided...The Freedom from Religion Foundation...sign noted that the [Christmas] season also was the time of the winter solstice and stated: 'There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world.'"

Source: The Record

http://www.bergen.com/news/islammall200107032.htm

On July 3, 2001, the Bergen County Record reported that "frustrated by media coverage they believe portrays Muslims as extremists, New Jersey Muslims are taking their faith directly to the people. Visiting shopping malls around the state, they aim to teach the public about a...religion that is just beginning to assert its presence on American soil...The group, most of them volunteers with the Islamic...

Source: The Commercial Appeal

On July 3, 2001, the Memphis The Commercial Appeal reported that "Memphis Police officer Mahajj Abdul-Baaqee doesn't mind explaining to his fellow officers" how to respect Muslim traditions while they conduct investigations. "In May, he was selected by the city's Office of Multicultural and Religious Affairs to serve as liaison for the Islamic community...As the face of Memphis changes, the need for liaisons to deal with everything from crime issues to cultural differences in the growing multiethnic communities increases."

Source: Associated Press

On July 3, 2001, the Associated Press reported that, "angered by media portrayals they believe are extremist, Muslims have taken to shopping malls to spread the word about their faith and clear up any misconceptions...The Islamic Circle of North America...has visited five New Jersey malls in the last eight months and operates an Internet informational site and a toll-free, 24-hour hotline." The Islamic Circle of North America's website is www.icna.org. Their informnational website iw...