Author: Dominic Casciani

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8166173.stm

Anti-Semitic attacks in the UK doubled in the first half of this year compared with the same period in 2008, according to new figures.

The Jewish Community Security Trust, which monitors anti-Semitism, says it recorded 609 incidents between January and June - up from 276 last year.

Most incidents were abusive behaviour, but there were also 77 violent...

Author: Clifford J. Levy

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/world/europe/22briefs-Russia.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

Russia’s president, Dmitri A. Medvedev, said Tuesday that the federal government would begin a national program to teach religious education in the schools. Parents would be able to choose studies in four federally recognized religions — Russian...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Times Online

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article6721158.ece

Increasing numbers of non-Muslims are turning to Sharia courts to resolve commercial disputes and other civil matters, The Times has learnt.

The Muslim Arbitration Tribunal (MAT) said that 5 per cent of its cases involved non-Muslims who were using the courts because they were less cumbersome and more...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The New Zealand Herald

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/employment/news/article.cfm?c_id=11&objectid=10585813

Workers should be able to swap Christian religious holidays with others important to different religions, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association.

The suggestion has come as the Government asks for public submissions on a review of the current Holidays...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Breaking News 24/7

http://blog.taragana.com/n/hindus-muslims-willing-to-tie-the-knot-outside-their-religions-114539/

An increasing number of Hindus and Muslims are willing to exchange wedding vows with people of other faiths, according to researchers.

A Monash University research has shown that 10 per cent of Hindus have married out of their faith, along with 8 per...

Author: Debra Chong

Source: The Malaysian Insider

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/32848-court-to-decide-on-aug-3-if-state-islamic-councils-can-intervene-in-allah-suit-

The High Court here will decide in the next two weeks whether to allow several state Islamic councils into a legal dispute moved by the Catholic Church which is fighting for...

Author: Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na’im, Mohammed Bamyeh, Richard

Source: The Immanent Frame

http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/2009/07/20/reversal-in-the-case-of-tariq-ramadan/

Off the cuff is a new feature at The Immanent Frame, in which we pose a question to a handful of leading thinkers and ask for a brief response. Our first question concerns the case of Tariq Ramadan.

As the New York Times reported Friday, a federal...

Author: Julia Duin

Source: The Washington Times

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/20/rabbis-imams-visiting-us-for-interfaith-dialogue/

A group of 28 imams and rabbis from 10 European countries arrived in New York and Washington this week for whirlwind visits to interfaith centers to break new ground on Muslim-Jewish relations and combat Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in each other's communities...

Author: Rachel Zoll

Source: The Seattle Times

Wire Service: AP

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009501166_shiites20.html

The hotel conference room was divided: men on the left, women on the right. The speaker, a compact, bearded man in a safari vest, had come to talk about current events and the Quran.

In the weeks leading up to the gathering, postelection protests...

Author: Jan M. Olsen

Source: Syracuse.com

Wire Service: AP

Author: Staff Writer

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

Author: Asit Srivastava

Source: Thaindian News

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/a-hindu-temple-where-muslims-also-pray_100220052.html

A temple dedicated to Hindu god Shiva in a village here counts many Muslims among its devotees. Not only do they take part in some rituals but also donate for community feasts during every festival.

The Pataleshwar temple is in Bambhrauaa village of...

Author: Greg Bolt

Source: The Register-Guard

http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/updates/17227530-55/story.csp

Workers in Oregon will be able to wear a turban or yarmulke on the job under a bill passed by the state Legislature that protects religious practices for almost everyone, except public school teachers.

The bill, expected to be signed into law by Gov. Ted Kulongoski, keeps in place a controversial...

Author: Isambard Wilkinson

Source: The National

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090720/FOREIGN/707199868/1103/ART

The Sikh community of north-western Pakistan faces an uncertain future after fleeing fighting between security forces and the Taliban.

Sikhs from across the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the tribal areas have taken refuge over the past three months within the...

Author: Scott Smith

Source: Recordnet.com

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090719/A_NEWS/907190309/-1/NEWSMAP

A Druid lives behind the walls of Deuel Vocational Institution, a state prison for men near Tracy.

Morgan James Kane, a burly man with tattooed forearms, follows a neopagan belief older than Christianity. The little-known religion born among ancient Celts promotes the...