Source: Los Angeles Times

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-08-me-fires8-story.html

On May 7, 2003 the Los Angeles Times reported that "a fire at a Ventura Boulevard synagogue early Wednesday was the fourth to strike houses of worship in Encino...

Source: Indy Star

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/0/039991-4390-P.html

On May 2, 2003 the Indy Star reported that "the Christians prayed, and so did Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Bahais, for one nation under God, indivisible... But they did so in separate services Thursday honoring the National Day of Prayer, challenging the very meaning of an observance meant to unite all Americans... At noon, an estimated 125 people gathered for an hourlong service on the...

Source: Penn Live

http ://w ww.pennlive.com/living/patriotnews/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/living/1051781819113460.xml

On May 2, 2003 Penn Live reported that "students in a New American Religious Diversity class at Dickinson College [PA] this semester did fieldwork just a short ride from their dorms in Carlisle... The students were welcomed as Muslims prayed at a mosque in Steelton, Hindus read aloud the Ramayana at a temple in Fairview, and Buddhists drummed and chanted in a Columbia temple that used...

Source: The Charlotte Observer

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/5727163.htm

On April 27, 2003 The Charlotte Observer reported that "during the past two days, more than 30 Charlotteans from diverse faiths hung windows and rolled out roofing paper for a new Habitat for Humanity home... And they began laying the foundation for what they hope will be something bigger: a deeper understanding of people from all religious backgrounds... The home, now...

Source: Plain Dealer

On April 19, 2003 the Plain Dealer reported that "the Ohio Bicentennial Commission's Advisory Council on Religious Experience in Ohio will honor the Bahai faith with a historical marker at 3 p.m. Monday at East 14th Street and Euclid Avenue. The marker recognizes the visit of Abdu'l-Baha, son of Baha'u'llah, the prophet-founder of the Bahai faith, to Cleveland in 1912. After the dedication, the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Cleveland will have a reception at 4 p.m. at Mather Mansion."

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

On April 18, 2003 The Columbus Dispatch reported that "last weekend, members of a small East Side congregation blended Jewish and Christian practices into a Holy Week/Passover worship ceremony that ended with a feast -- a springtime tradition of both faiths... The Church of God and Saints of Christ began with evening worship on Palm Sunday, followed by a Passover Seder, or festive meal... Celebrations in many other faiths are festivals rich in food, but not just at springtime... Bahais hold communal meetings every 19 days....

Source: The Baltimore Sun

On April 18, 2003 The Baltimore Sun reported that "as images and news about the war in Iraq have loomed in recent weeks, Howard County religious leaders have been focusing on messages of peace... Members of many area churches and synagogues have been straddling the fine line between support for U.S. troops overseas and discussing whether the war is just. Whether their members have supported the war or opposed military action, many congregations simply prayed for a peaceful and just resolution... Bon Secours Spiritual Center in...

Source: The Seattle Times

On March 27, 2003 The Seattle Times reported that "the Baha'i community is petitioning Bellevue [WA] for permits to build a large complex on Northeast Eighth Street. By next year, the group plans to transform a vacant acre across from Crossroads Shopping Center into a $2 million, 2,300-square-foot center for the Baha'i faith... The space will be used for gatherings and celebrations throughout the year, as well as classrooms and a general-purpose facility. The Baha'is have small facilities in Redmond and Issaquah, basically...

Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune

On March 27, 2003 The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that "people say there is a peace that comes with understanding. Not in agreeing with each other. But in understanding each other... Maybe that's why Teresita Boggess, watching Muslims pray in their Clairemont mosque, decided to follow along with them... 'I found it just a different form of prayer,' said the 17-year- old Christian. "I kind of stepped into their shoes. I liked that...' Until this year, she didn't know young people outside her faith. 'I've always...

Source: WMTV

On March 25, 2003 WMTV reported that "religion and the law are sometimes seen as contending powers in a society. But today, we found special members of those communities who are serving as pillars - striving to uphold diversity in Maine... 'Our pledge is that any violence against any of our religious committees who are members of Interfaith Maine will be considered violence against all of us,' says Abraham Peck, of Interfaith Maine... a group that brings different religions together -- from Christianity and Judaism, to Bahai and Buddhism, and...

Source: The Associated Press

On March 20, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "each Wednesday, four veterans of the U.S. military kneel and offer prayers for peace - using words of the faithful from all over the world - at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in the Yakima Valley... There are Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Bahai and even Zoroastrian prayers... 'We just don't think we have an exclusive voice to heaven,' said Bill Flower, 66, an Army veteran and a lifelong member of Holy Trinity... The idea came from the church's Spokane Diocese, which...

Source: Spokesman Review

On March 20, 2003 Spokesman Review reported that "members of the Baha'i Faith in Spokane and Coeur d'Alene will celebrate Naw Ruz or New Year on Friday, the first day of spring... This holy day is observed around the world, not only by Baha'is but also by Shi'ite Muslims and Zoroastrians in Iran."

Source: Beliefnet

http://www.beliefnet.com/frameset.asp?pageLoc=/story/121/story_12160_1.html&storyID=12160&boardID=52221

On February 25, 2003 Beliefnet printed an editorial by Sherna Hough Deamer, stating that "it’s hard to believe that I’ve come to love the Fast. In the Bahá’í calendar, the 19-day month of fasting comes between the hospitality of the Intercalary Days (February 26 to March 1) and the...

Source: Baha'i World News Service

http://www.bahaiworldnews.org/story.cfm?storyid=188

On February 9, 2003 the Baha'i World News Service reported that "the local Baha'i community of Charleston has created a museum in the former home of Louis G. Gregory... The museum was dedicated in a celebration, running 7-9 February 2003, which was attended by more than 300 people. Dedication program highlights included a multicultural arts presentation, two workshops on race relations...

Source: Religion and Ethics Newsweekly

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week615/profile.html

On January 14, 2003 Religion and Ethics Newsweekly reported that "this year marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Baha'i religion. It originated in the Middle East. The name 'Baha'i' comes from the Persian word meaning 'glory' or 'splendor.' Baha'is believe, among other things, that all the great religious founders have come from God, and that...