Author: Jonathan Wright

Source: The Washington Post

Wire Service: Reuters

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012100848.html

Arabs and Muslims gave the benefit of some doubt on Wednesday to U.S. President Barack Obama's offer of "a new way forward" with the Muslim world, but many said it would take deeds rather than words to convince them.

...

Author: Chris LaFortune

Source: OakPark-Leaves.com

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/oakpark/news/1388638,op-protest-012009-s1.article

Disappointed by the country's handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a group of about 65 people stood in silent protest in Oak Park Monday (Jan. 19).

Their backgrounds were varied, with representatives from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Jewish Voice for Peace and the...

Author: Nicole Neroulias

Source: Religion News Service

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=17376

As Barack Obama begins his tenure as the first U.S. president with Muslim ancestry, a group of 300 young Muslim activists from 76 countries has asked him to promote policies that can help peacefully curtail religious extremism.

The Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow, a grassroots movement aiming to foster a new generation of civic engagement,...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Muslim Public Affairs Council

http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=775

Today, the Muslim Public Affairs Council joined more than a dozen advocacy groups across the nation in calling on President Barack Obama to adopt an even-handed policy that ensures sustainable peace in the Middle East. The groups' open letter to President Obama was published as a full-page advertisement in the New York Times inauguration edition.

The...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

Author: Katrin Bennhold

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/world/europe/21france.html?emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

On a giant flat-screen television, the Chabchoubs, a family of Tunisian immigrants, watched as veiled mothers wailed over the bodies of children and fathers cried silently. The piles of rubble, the squirming toddler covered in raw burns — all of this was coming straight from Gaza to...

Author: Nicholas Cecil

Source: The Evening Standard

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23623423-details/Religion+now+more+divisive+than+race%2C+says+public/article.do

At least four out of 10 Muslims do not believe that communities should be forced to integrate in Britain, according to a new poll.

It also found that religion has become a more divisive...

Author: Diana L. Eck

Source: Politico

http://www.politico.com/arena/perm/Diana_Eck_8E45486A-2D62-459E-BD29-9E1BCB0435C5.html

Since Israel is the world's largest recipient of direct U.S. economic and military aid every year, since aid to Palestine is only about 1/20 of that provided to Israel, and since Hamas receives no U.S. aid at all, it is clear to me that the U.S. needs to use it's leverage with...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: One India

http://living.oneindia.in/insync/pulse/2009/makar-sankaranti-gujarat-kites-uttarayan-130109.html

With Makar Sankaranti in the corner and country to celebrate it in different ways, the Hindu festival is one of the biggest and popularly celebrated in Gujarat. Uttarayan is the phase when sun travels towards the north on the celestial sphere. The starting of Uttarayan is...

Author: Hillel Italie

Source: The Associated Press

Author: Jane Hawes

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/faith_values/stories/2009/01/16/esposito.ART_ART_01-16-09_B6_9ICH5DL.html?sid=101

As difficult as the days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack were for American Muslims, there were many positives.

"A lot of people reached out," said Asma Mobin-Uddin, president of the Ohio chapter of the...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

http://news.findlaw.com/prnewswire/20090116/16jan20091242.html

American Muslim groups will welcome next week's inauguration of President Barack Obama with a symbolic release of "peace doves" on Monday at a mosque in the nation's capital followed by an open house at the Capitol Hill headquarters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on Inauguration Day.

"As part of...

Author: Kim Zarzour

Source: York Region News

http://www.georginaadvocate.com/News/Thornhill/article/86787

Now, more than ever, is the time for Muslims and Jews in Thornhill to hold firm on their resolve to work together, say the organizers of an interfaith friendship project between a temple and mosque.

Members of the Ja’ffari Islamic Centre and Temple Har Zion have a long-standing tradition of co-operation, beginning with a...

Author: Abbas Jimoh

Source: All Africa

http://allafrica.com/stories/200901150298.html

The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has called on the United Nations Security Council to order for a cease-fire in the ongoing Gaza war which had entered the 20th day.

A statement jointly signed by the Sultan of Sokoto and President of Supreme Council for Islamic affairs (NSCIA) Alhaji Mohammed Saad Abubakar and the President of Christian Association of...

Author: Julia Duin

Source: The Washington Times

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/15/faithful-to-celebrate-obama-with-traditional-dance/

A variety of religions will be whooping it up this weekend at something unique in terms of inaugural festivities: religiously oriented balls.

The African American Church Inaugural Ball will have several bishops in attendance. A Masonic ball is scheduled...