Author: Susan Essoyan

Source: Star Bulletin

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20090515_Islam_Day_draws_heat_for_isles.html

Hawaii already designates April 8 as Buddha Day and March 21 as Baha'i New Year's Day. Good Friday is even enshrined as an official state holiday, with public offices closed.

So state Rep. Lyla Berg thought that marking Sept. 24 as Islam Day would not be out of line in Hawaii, with its...

Author: Paul Schemm

Source: Connecticut Post

Wire Service: AP

http://www.connpost.com/ci_12368251

Iraq has lost more than half the Christians who once called it home, mostly since the war began, and few who fled have plans to return, The Associated Press has learned.

Pope Benedict XVI called attention to their plight during a Mideast visit this week, urging the international community to ensure the survival of "the ancient...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: ITN

http://itn.co.uk/3e70c9e40a5a6888d01a2d506623f4cb.html

Pope Benedict joined Muslims and Jews in singing a peace song during a trip to Nazareth.

At the end of a meeting involving representatives from different faiths, a rabbi announced he had composed a song using Arabic, Hebrew and English phrases about peace.

A Vatican spokesman said the Pope did not expect to be invited to sing the song but...

Author: Elizabeth Bryant

Source: Religion News Service

http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/muslims_struggle_to_erect_minarets_next_to_steeples/

The dusty patch of weeds and litter may not look like much now, but the site nonetheless carries the hopes and a sense of sweet victory for Muslims in this hardscrabble Paris suburb.

The short story of the construction site is of a years-...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: UCA News

Religious harmony prevailed in a farming village in central Sri Lanka as Catholics and Buddhists joined hands to celebrate the Buddhist festival of Vesak (Vesakh).

Devotees of both faiths offered meals and refreshments at a dansala (alms-giving center) in Hammalawa village on May 9, as thousands of Buddhists flocked to temples and thronged village streets decorated with lights, lanterns and religious flags.

Hammalawa is a sub-parish of Kuliyapitya parish in...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Chillicothe Gazette

http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20090514/NEWS01/905140302/1002/rss01

Southeastern High School graduates will not have a clergyperson delivering an invocation and benediction at their ceremony.

Superintendent Brian Justice explained Wednesday he and the board are not anti-prayer, but are obliged to follow the law.

"We will not violate the laws...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Indian Catholic

http://www.indiancatholic.in/news/storydetails.php/12104-1-1-Hindus-praise-Pope%E2%80%99s-espousal-of-interfaith-dialogue

Welcoming Pope Benedict’s reported affirmation of the importance of interreligious dialogue in the pursuit of peace in Jerusalem yesterday, Hindus have urged him to take the lead in organizing one.

...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8047537.stm

The BBC's appointment of a Muslim as head of religion and ethics is insulting to Christians, an Ulster Unionist assembly member has said.

Retired Presbyterian minister Dr Robert Coulter said the appointment of Aaqil Ahmed was "a juvenile gimmick".

"According to the Church of England 70% of the UK are Christian, 3% are...

Author: Kathy Gannon

Source: The Guardian

Wire Service: AP

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/8505630

Fauzia Abrar had finally gotten her crying baby to sleep when screaming men pounded on the steel doors of her home in the mostly Christian slum in the port city of Karachi.

Suddenly she heard shots, and the screaming grew louder: "Long live Taliban! Death to infidels!"

The men forced their...

Author: Crystal Lindell

Source: Northwest Herald

http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2009/05/11/r_hm2ls8ocqom2oah7ez1pra/index.xml

The students at First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake started a recent evening with a Daoist meditation, then they discussed Christianity’s National Day of Prayer before learning that “Islam” roughly translates to peace, submission and security.

They are members of...

Author: Richard Boudreaux

Source: The Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-pope-mideast12-2009may12,0,1951298.story

Pope Benedict XVI, trying to quell Jewish anger over a Holocaust-denying bishop, bowed in silence Monday at Israel's memorial to Jews exterminated during World War II and declared that their suffering must "never be denied, belittled or forgotten."

"They...

Author: Vern Barnet

Source: KansasCity.com

http://www.kansascity.com/644/story/1191186.html

Today’s column may not affect your spirit in a very personal way, but it may lift up “Kansas City spirit” by noting a few examples of why the North American Interfaith Network chose Kansas City for its conference June 26-28.

•The group was organized in 1988 at a conference at which more Kansas Citians participated than any other city...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: United Press International

http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2009/05/12/CBS-to-air-interfaith-music-special/UPI-42661242173439/

The U.S. television network CBS Tuesday announced plans to air "Faith, Music and Culture," an interfaith religion special next month.

The program is set to premiere June 7.

"Music is often a vehicle for expressing...

Author: Ethan Bronner

Source: The New York Times

Author: Violeta M. Gloria

Source: MindaNews