Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Post-Standard

Wire Service: AP

http://www.examiner.com/a-2258552~NY_officials_investigate_blast_at_Islamic_school.html

Syracuse fire officials are investigating the cause of a basement explosion that forced the evacuation of a private Islamic school.

Authorities said it's too early to say whether the explosion at 3:30 p.m. Thursday was...

Author: Lindsay Wise

Source: The Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/new/6658660.html

The FBI and Houston police are investigating a possible hate crime after someone scrawled anti-Islamic remarks on the wall of a southwest Houston mosque.

About 4 p.m. Wednesday, an unidentified man entered the Turkish Center Mosque at 9301 W. Bellfort and wrote hateful phrases about Islam and Muslims on the...

Author: Ron Nurwisah

Source: National Post

[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.

“The burka has absolutely no place in Canada,” said Farzana Hassan, of the Muslim Canadian Congress. “In Canada...

Author: Oralandar Brand-Williams

Source: The Detroit News

[detnews.com/article/20091007/METRO/910070368/1041/lifestyle04/Feds-may-look-into-attack-on-Ann-Arbor-Muslims]

The attorney for two Muslim teens attacked last month aboard a school bus is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to step in after Washtenaw County prosecutors decided not to file ethnic intimidation charges in the case.

The girl, 16, and her brother, 15, were attacked Sept. 8 after they left Skyline...

Author: Mark Sherman

Source: Syracuse.com

Author: David Trayner

Source: Evening Telegraph

[northantset.co.uk/news/Revellers-flock-to-Diwali-celebration.5702424.jp]

A colourful display of singing, dancing and fireworks was enjoyed by Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists at the county's biggest Diwali celebration.

About 200 people crowded into the Swansgate Centre in Wellingborough yesterday to see the Diwali lights switched on in the Market Square and Market Street.

Members of the Indian community and passing...

Author: Carrie Johnson and Robin Shulman

Source: The Washington Post

Investigators seeking to uncover terrorist plots for years have walked a fine line between keeping tabs on the Muslim community and alienating the same people who could serve as an early warning signal.

That tenuous balance has been tested again in what law enforcement authorities say is one of the most worrisome terrorism investigations in decades, the unfolding case against Denver shuttle bus driver Najibullah Zazi, who has been charged with conspiracy to...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Hindu

Wire Service: IANS

[thehindu.com/2009/10/03/stories/2009100355140700.htm]

A dip in the sacred river during the Maha Kumbh Mela is said to wash away all sins. A senior Muslim cleric who will perform the Hindu rite at the upcoming Maha Kumbh in Hardwar hopes it will also wash away differences between the two religions.

Kalbe Sadiq, a noted Shia cleric and senior vice-president of the All-India...

Author: David Yonke

Source: The Toledo Blade

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091003/NEWS10/910030376/0/SPORTS12

As the nation continues to debate health-care reform, some local physicians are hoping for changes that will help them better align their religious and professional concerns.

When taking the Hippocratic Oath, physicians vow "to keep the good of the patient as the...

Author: Aziza Hasan

Source: Muslim Public Affairs Council

http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=922

With the arrival of the end of Ramadan, a number of public officials have shared their Eid greetings with the Muslim American community. Last week, we shared President Obama’s message. This week, we present California State Assemblymember Dave Jones' letter:

You can read the...

Author: Omar Sacirbey

Source: Religion News Service

http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/muslim_playwrights_focus_on_universal_themes3/

Let’s start with a disclaimer: the Islamic prayers, Urdu expressions and youth-culture slang (like FOB, as in “Fresh Off Boat") which pepper the new play, “The Domestic Crusaders,” may not be familiar to all American audiences.

But...

Author: Zeba Iqbal

Source: Muslim Public Affairs Council

http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=918

Last week, MPAC-NYC held an interfaith dinner to celebrate Eid at Ravagh in Manhattan. Attended by more than 60 people, the event was a unique opportunity for religious leaders and community activists to share opportunities for local interfaith activities.

New friendships were established and existing friendships deepened among the diverse group as MPAC-NYC...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_west/8281163.stm

A Bangladeshi community is expected to win a fight to continue using a terraced house in Swansea for prayers.

The Hafod Muslim Welfare Association has gathered at Odo Street for 20 years but does not have planning permission.

A Swansea council committee said it should be granted after receiving a petition from 211 people...

Author: Emily Wax

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/29/AR2009092903586.html

This is Mumbai's new Chabad House, a Jewish center that keeps its whereabouts private after attacks here in November that left more than 170 people dead, including a rabbi and his wife. The center's address is given out only to Jews looking for a place to observe Friday night Sabbaths,...

Author: Adelle Banks

Source: Religion News Service

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

Does an offended observer who drives by a cross-shaped war memorial in the middle of the desert have a right to call for its removal?

And can that 7-foot cross stand without violating the constitution’s prohibition of government establishment of...