Civic

Kosovo Coverage

April 20, 1999

Source: No source given.

On April 20, 1999, CAIR announced that more than $300,000 had been collected in a fund-raiser on Sunday, April 18th held by Muslims in Southern California for the innocent civilians of Kosovo. Nationwide, American Muslim organizations have collected more than $2 million for Kosovo relief. (April 20, 1999, Council on American-Islamic Relations)

Kosovo Coverage

April 11, 1999

Source: Los Angeles Times

On April 11, 1999, the Los Angeles Times reported that the conflict in Kosovo is galvanizing the Muslim community in Southern California. The 750,000 Muslims in Southern California are conducting rallies to provide relief to the Muslim refugees. They are also supportive of the NATO effort, which many believe is shifting the long-held thought that the U.S. government is hostile to Islam. Salam al-Marayati, director of the Los Angeles-based Muslim Public Affairs Council, also pointed to changing American perceptions on race and...

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Kosovo Coverage

April 10, 1999

Source: The Hartford Courant

On April 10, 1999, The Hartford Courant reported that members of the Albanian American Muslim Community Mosque in Waterbury, Connecticut are raising money to send food, clothes, and medicine to the ethnic Albanian refugees. They are also sending their prayers. Nick Ozkan, president of the 150-family congregation, stated that, "prayer is making contact with the All-Powerful because He can stop what is happening."

Kosovo Coverage

April 9, 1999

Source: Los Angeles Times

On April 9, 1999, the Los Angeles Times published an article about the American Jewish response to the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. With images from the region that resonate with 20th century Jewish experience, the crisis in Kosovo has prompted the Jewish community to be outspoken in condemning the violence against the ethnic Albanians. The Anti-Defamation League has sponsored full-page advertisements supporting the NATO bombing campaign and asking for donations to help "innocent victims of hatred." Jewish Federation chapters...

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Kosovo Coverage

April 7, 1999

Source: Sacramento Bee

On April 7, 1999, the Sacramento Bee reported that local faith-based and secular groups are stepping up aid to the Kosovar refugees. Muslim, Christian, and Jewish groups in the area have provided a great deal of relief to the refugees. Jim Rodgers of the Catholic Charities of Sacramento expressed that giving money is more helpful than clothing or food because, "trying to transport goods is so much more expensive." Several organizations are collecting funds for Kosovo: the Sacramento Area League of Associated Muslims, the American Red...

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Kosovo Coverage

April 2, 1999

Source: Los Angeles Times

On April 2, 1999, the Los Angeles Times reported that Orange County religious groups are sending food, clothes, medical supplies, and prayers to the Kosovar refugees. Many of Orange County's Islamic centers are holding special prayer services for the refugees and conducting "dollar campaigns" to help raise the money necessary to ship the necessary items. Jihan Assaf, spokeswoman for the Islamic Society of Orange County, stated: "The purpose is to have a special prayer for all of the people in need there, as well as show support...

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High School in Wisconsin Apologizes to Teen for Restricting Internet Access to Wicca

March 31, 1999

Source: Star Tribune

On March 31, 1999, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported that a battle between the Winter School District in Wisconsin and Burklin Nielsen, a 16-year-old student at Winter High School, has been resolved. Nielsen filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction claiming that her freedom of religion was violated when she was prevented from accessing material over the internet about Wicca in a school computer lab for public use during non-school hours. Nielsen, a Lutheran, was the target of many small-town rumors...

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"God Speaks"

March 20, 1999

Source: The Buffalo News

On March 20, 1999, The Buffalo News reported on the new national advertising campaign called "God Speaks," which features billboards with black backgrounds and white lettering that are all signed by God. "The non-denominational ads - meant to pique the interest of people who don't attend church - began in Florida and have appeared in northern Texas and recently in North Carolina." Signs like "Keep using my name in vain and I'll make rush hour longer," "Loved the wedding, invite me to the marriage," and "Have you read my 1 best...

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Jewish and Christian Organizations Offer Help to Muslim Community of Minneapolis

March 20, 1999

Source: Star Tribune

On March 20, 1999, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis published an article on the many Jewish and Christian organizations who are offering assistance to the Muslim community of Minneapolis in the aftermath of a devastating fire that destroyed the Islamic Cultural Community Center. Donations for rebuilding, offers to share worship space, and aid in the clean-up of the mosque are some of the ways Jewish and Christian organizations have shown their support for the Islamic community in Minneapolis. There are plans to rebuild the mosque in the...

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Hindus Express Dissatisfaction Over Depiction of Deity in "Xena"

March 16, 1999

Source: Los Angeles Times

On March 16, 1999, the Los Angeles Times reported that the worldwide Hindu community is expressing concern over the depiction of Hindu deities in an episode of "Xena: The Warrior Princess." The disputed episode, entitled "The Way," depicts Lord Krishna in a way that is offensive to many Hindus. Braja dasi, a representative of the Los Angeles Chaitanya Mission, stated: "How would Christians feel if a bunch of Hindus took Jesus Christ and filmed Xena punching him in the face?" A delegation of over 200 Hindus attempted to meet with...

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Buddhist Center in New Orleans Open to Public

March 14, 1999

Source: The Times-Picayune

On March 14, 1999, The Times-Picayune published an article on the Lotus Lake Drikung Dharma Center, a new Tibetan Buddhist center in New Orleans, that is holding a weekly meditation practice, open to the public, on Tuesday nights and plans to invite Buddhist teachers to lecture. Greg Eveline, director of the center, stated: "We hope that by introducing meditation and the Buddhist teachings of love and compassion to the people, we can create a more peaceful and harmonious community here in New Orleans." The center is affiliated...

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Lawsuit Brought Against Lincoln Park Public Schools in Michigan

February 20, 1999

Source: The Detroit News

On February 20, 1999, The Detroit News published an editorial noting that a 17-year-old high school student in Lincoln Park High School, Crystal Seifferly, is suing the school system for not giving her the right to wear a pentagram, the symbol of her Wiccan faith. In an attempt to curb violence and gang activity within the school system, the principal of the high school announced a policy that would target "inappropriate activities" such as "graffiti," "gang colors/styles," "cult dress/styles," "black nail polish," and "Pentagram...

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Somalian Immigrants Find Help at YWCA Interfaith Hospitality Network in Ohio

February 19, 1999

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

On February 19, 1999, The Columbus Dispatch reported on the efforts of the YWCA Interfaith Hospitality Network in Columbus, OH to help Somalian immigrants get settled in the area. Since the 1991 civil war in Somalia, Somalis have been fleeing their homeland. The YWCA Network has helped 400 homeless Somalian families get settled in the Columbus area. The Network, with volunteers from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Baha'i communities, provides beds, meals, facilities for bathing and laundering, tutoring, and games for...

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