Author: Thomas Erdbrink and Karin Brulliard

Source: Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/29/AR2008022903488.html

For decades the United States has funded an effort intended to help Christians, Zoroastrians and Jews escape persecution in Iran. Now some of their leaders are questioning American motives as sects that have endured here for thousands of years dwindle...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Sun Herald

Wire Service: AP

http://www.sunherald.com/218/story/404015.html

A Muslim housewife says her civil rights were violated when a security guard forced her to leave a shopping mall when she refused to take her religious headscarf off.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington-based Muslim civil liberties group, made the incident public Friday. The group has asked...

Author: JOE RODRIGUEZ

Source: The Wichita Eagle

http://www.kansas.com/194/story/327331.html

Part of a message posted on the outdoor sign of a south Wichita church proclaims, "Islam is a lie."

A newsletter published by Wichita's largest Protestant church contains a column that asks the question: "Can Muslims be Good Americans?" The answer, according to the article, is no.

Other Wichita churches hold town hall meetings and weeks-long...

Author: Jodi Enda

Source: Conscience

http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/conscience/current/cWinter0708_playingwithfire.asp

Less than two months before Iowans would go to their caucuses, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a “faithful citizenship statement” urging Catholics to “use the values of their faith to shape their political choice.” While the statement didn’t tell...

Author: Candace Rondeaux/Imtiaz Ali

Source: Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/29/AR2008022903675.html

Parliamentary elections have come and gone in this village of mud-brick homes, but signs of unrest still abound. In the council hall, the walls have been stained by blood, evidence of a preelection bombing at a political rally. In the village cemetery, the graves of more than...

Author: CATHERINE TSAI

Source: Examiner

Wire Service: AP

http://www.examiner.com/a-1249534~Islamic_group_supports_Jewish_school_teams__plea.html

A Jewish school's plea for basketball playoff games to be scheduled at times other than the Jewish Sabbath got support Thursday from an Islamic civil rights group.

"In a nation as religiously diverse as America, it is important...

Author: Michael Conlon

Source: Reuters

Author: Ahmad Pathoni

Source: The Ottawa Citizen

Wire Service: Reuters

Author: Gilbert Kreijger

Source: Yahoo!News

Wire Service: Reuters

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080229/wl_nm/dutch_islam_film_dc

The Netherlands risks economic sanctions and attacks on its citizens and businesses because of a plan by a right-wing politician to broadcast an anti-Islamic film, the Dutch Prime Minister warned on Friday.

Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders, who has called for the Koran to be...

Author: PRESS RELEASE

Source: Worldwide Faith News

http://www.wfn.org/2008/02/msg00232.html

The Honorable Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State United States Department of State Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Rice,

As you prepare to return to the Middle East, we - the leaders of U.S. Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches and church-related organizations that make up Churches for Middle East Peace - are writing to ask you to take...

Author: Frances Harrison

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7271741.stm

A Berlin art gallery has temporarily closed an exhibition where one of the posters made fun of Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba in Mecca.

The decision came after threats believed to be from Muslims.

The exhibition was organised by the Danish group Surrend, which said it wanted to oppose religious extremism.

A poster on display showed the...

Author: Riazat Butt

Source: The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/29/religion

Faith charities encouraging or promoting violence or hatred risk losing their charitable status as part of a radical overhaul proposed by the Charity Commission.

For the first time all charities - including those advancing religion - must show that their aims are for the benefit of the public. Draft guidance, issued today, will explain to the...

Author: CHRIS ECEHGARAY

Source: Tennessean

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080228/NEWS03/802280406/1017/NEWS01

It's too early to tell if the case of three men charged with setting a Columbia mosque on fire will be tried solely in federal court, said Mike Bottoms, Maury County district attorney.

Michael Golden, 23, Eric Baker, 32, and Jonathan Stone, 19, are accused of spray...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7268618.stm

Far-right Dutch MP Geert Wilders has said that this week he will finish a film about Islam which has already triggered Muslim outrage.

Mr Wilders said he was determined to release the film despite government warnings that this would damage Dutch political and economic interests.

Mr Wilders says the film is about the Koran, without giving details.

Author: Jason Millman

Source: USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-19-muslim-film-contest_N.htm

Muslim Americans say they often feel like strangers in their own country, and the struggle to overcome stereotypes became more complicated after 9/11.

So when given the chance to tell their stories, more than 100 young Muslim American filmmakers poured their creative energies into producing four- to five-...