Author: Zen T.C. Zheng

Source: The Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/6717424.html

As if a Mediterranean breeze wafted through Wallace Pack Unit's steel-reinforced walls and columns, the aromas of hummus, falafel and fattoush permeated the prison's classroom.

“I've forgotten food could taste this good,” said inmate Albert Mason, savoring a bite from his pita sandwich.

While...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Worldwide Faith News

http://www.wfn.org/2009/11/msg00080.html

Kathryn M. Lohre, assistant director of the Pluralism Project at Harvard University and an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America representative to the World Council of Churches Central Committee, has been elected the President Elect of the National Council of Churches by the NCC Governing Board.

Lohre will assume the office January 1, 2010....

Author: John Woolfolk

Source: San Jose Mercury News

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_13740134?nclick_check=1

Their head wear displayed a full palette of colors and patterns, and symbolized different faiths. But the two dozen Sikh and Muslim women who gathered Saturday at a Fremont community center knew their turbans and scarves had a singular effect on many others in a country where their beliefs are in the minority....

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Dallas Morning News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D9BNIIE00.html

Texas clinic officials say they regret telling a Muslim doctor applying for a job that she couldn't wear her traditional headscarf.

Coppell-based CareNow released a statement that called the ban a misunderstanding. It says it plans to clarify its...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: DNA

http://www.dnaindia.com/academy/report_cambridge-university-to-allow-burqas-during-graduation-ceremony_1305314

Cambridge University, which follows a strict dress code, will allow female Muslim students to wear burqas under their mortar boards during graduation ceremonies. 

The university has a strict dress code for the prestigious events at...

Author: Anabelle Garay

Source: The Houston Chronicle

Wire Service: AP

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6696052.html

A Muslim doctor interviewing for a job at a suburban Dallas medical clinic says officials there told her she couldn't wear her headscarf while working.

Dr. Hena Zaki of Plano said Friday that she was shocked when CareNow officials told her in person and later by e-mail...

Author: Clive Leviev-Sawyer

Source: The Sofia Echo

http://www.sofiaecho.com/2009/10/27/805451_us-state-department-gives-mixed-review-of-religious-freedom-in-bulgaria

ntolerance by Bulgarian local authorities of non-Orthodox Christian religious groups and anti-Semitic messages by Volen Siderov’s Ataka party are among issues raised in the US state department’s annual...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: UN News Centre

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=32743&Cr=religion&Cr1=

Governments have a central role to play in either preventing or contributing to religious friction, an independent United Nations expert said today, noting that a State’s commitments to non-discrimination, as well as its policies and messages, can promote tolerance.

Asma Jahangir, the UN Special Rapporteur on...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: NPR

http://www.npr.mobi/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114004048

Dalia Mogahed, a Muslim, is one of 25 people President Obama tapped to advise him on faith issues. She may have met the president exactly once, but to Muslims, she's a celebrity — thanks to the headscarf, or hijab, she wears every day.

When Obama spoke to the Muslim world from Egypt last summer, Mogahed was in...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Express News Service

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Muslim+women+rally+for+Hindu+victims&artid=9R6LAg%7CbOmc=&SectionID=mvKkT3vj5ZA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=nUFeEOBkuKw=&SEO=

The Muslim women, who have been deserted and divorced by their...

Author: Zaki Cooper

Source: Times Online

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6878351.ece

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, an annual five-day celebration of the triumph of good over evil, starts today, and festivities in the UK are being led by Bharti Tailor. She is the new secretary general of the Hindu Forum of Britain, and thus a key figure in the UK Hindu community, which is now thought to number far more...

Author: Mark Curnutte

Source: The Post-Standard

Wire Service: AP

Author: Ron Nurwisah

Source: National Post

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/holy-post/archive/2009/10/07/muslim-group-calls-for-burka-ban-in-canada.aspx

A Canadian Muslim group is calling on Ottawa to ban the wearing of the burka in public, saying the argument that the right to wear it is protected by the Charter’s guarantee of freedom of religion is false.

...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Sikh Coalition

http://www.sikhcoalition.org/advisories/GrowingLegalForce_001.htm

The Sikh Coalition is pleased to announce the hiring of its newest Staff Attorney, Sandeep "Amy" Kaur.  She is a graduate of the Washington College of Law (WCL) at American University.  Over the past several years, Amy has provided direct legal services to community-based organizations and clients...