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: 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: Gregg Krupa

Source: The Detroit News

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090513/METRO/905130358/1041/LIFESTYLE04/Oldest-mosque-in-Michigan-celebrates-70-years

The prayers feel a bit more fervent, these days, at the American Moslem Society, Muslims say. And there is much gratitude.

This week, congregants, neighbors and visitors celebrate the 70th year of the oldest...

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: Nick Tarver

Source: The Enfield Advertiser

http://www.enfield-today.co.uk/tn/News.cfm?id=18870&headline=Mosque%20%91not%20a%20place%20for%20conversion,%20but%20for%20conversation%92

A new mosque which aims to bring Enfield’s diverse communities together has opened in Edmonton.

The Mevlana Rumi Mosque and Dialogue Centre, in Fore Street,...

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: 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: Ethan Bronner

Source: The New York Times

Author: David Eggert

Source: The Detroit News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090512/LIFESTYLE04/905120402/1041/LIFESTYLE04/Mich.-high-court-waits-to-decide-Muslim-veil-issue

The Michigan Supreme Court on Tuesday weighed whether to give judges power over how witnesses dress in court after a Muslim woman's case was dismissed...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Times

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6261820.ece

Pope Benedict XVI urged Christians in the Middle East to hold on to their faith and traditions at an open-air Mass attended by 50,000 worshippers.

He told them to work with other religions to enrich their daily lives and counter violent ideologies. “Be faithful to your roots,” he said yesterday in his homily at...

Author: Pamela Constable

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/09/AR2009050902518.html

When black-turbaned Taliban fighters demanded in January that Islamic sharia law be imposed in Pakistan's Swat Valley, few alarm bells went off in this Muslim nation of about 170 million.

Sharia, after all, is the legal framework that guides the lives of all Muslims....

Author: Fakir Hassen

Source: The Gaea News

[blog.taragana.com/n/zuma-inaugurated-as-south-african-president-after-sanskrit-chants-57666/]

A Hindu prayer started off the inauguration of South African President Jacob Zuma at the Union Buildings here Saturday.

As Indian Vice-President Hamid Ansari joined heads of state of 28 other countries, South African Hindu Maha Sabha president Ashwin Trikamjee recited a few lines in Sanskrit before translating them into English and making a plea for divine...

Author: Leanne Larmondin

Source: Religion News Service

http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnspremiumtext/singlewnet/a_muslim_a_church_and_a_whole_lot_of_questions/

Some church-going families in the Western world would recoil at the thought of a Muslim being responsible for their children’s religious education.

But Farzana Hassan, activist, writer and advocate for Islamic...

Author: Rachel Donadio

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/09/world/middleeast/09jordan.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

Arriving in Jordan on his first trip to the Holy Land as pope, Benedict XVI on Friday expressed his “deep respect” for Muslims and his desire for the Roman Catholic Church to play a major role in fostering peace in the Middle East.

Benedict was greeted...

Author: David Brown

Source: The Times

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article6245144.ece

An honour established by the Queen has been declared unlawful after Muslims and Hindus complained that its Christian name and cross insignia were offensive.

The Trinity Cross of the Order of Trinity was established by the Queen 40 years ago to recognise distinguished service and gallantry in the former colony of...