Author: Heba Saleh

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6053380.stm

The Tunisian authorities have launched a campaign against the Islamic veil worn by some women to cover their hair.

Police are applying with renewed vigour a decree dating back to 1981 which prohibits women from wearing Islamic headscarves in public places.

In recent days, senior officials have hit out at what they describe as sectarian dress worn by...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/berkshire/6058774.stm

The first purpose-built mosque is to be built in Reading following an agreement between Muslim leaders and the council.

The £4m needed to build the new mosque on the corner of Wokingham Road and Green Road will have to be raised by the local Muslim community.

"The new Green Road mosque will be available to all Reading's Muslims and will be a facility of which we...

Source: The Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2191837.cms

Has Mulayam Singh Yadav stirred a controversy on the banks of the swirling Ganga in Hardwar by organising an Iftar party in a bid to project himself as a champion of minorities?

The Iftar party at Hari-Ki-Pauri on October 14, organised with an eye to garnering Muslim votes for the forthcoming UP and Uttaranchal assembly polls, has given the BJP and the Congress ammunition...

Source: Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/562/story/754239.html

Attacks on Keith Ellison's congressional campaign fit a disturbing pattern that has been seen across the nation this year.

There has been much sound and fury in certain circles about the American Muslim community's support for Keith Ellison and his campaign to represent Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District. A handful of right-wing bloggers, agenda-driven commentators and political operatives have...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6046184.stm

Saudi Arabia says Muslims on the Hajj pilgrimage must have polio immunisation certificates if they come from states where the disease is endemic. The requirement affects people from Nigeria, India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Saudi authorities say.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned there could be a resurgence of the virus unless it is eradicated.

Fears of a plot to sterilise...

Source: The Buddhist Channel

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=3,3315,0,0,1,0

Gaden Shedrup Choekhorling, the main Buddhist temple in Elista, Kalmykia, turned 10 on 6 October 2006 and the day was declared as a national holiday by the President of Kalmykia.

The main Buddhist temple was opened on 5 October 1996 and consecrated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 30 November 2004.

Mr. Tashi, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in...

Author: Dan Murphy

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1019/p01s03-wome.html

Sohail Nakhooda says Islam has a problem getting its message heard.

Thirty-eight Muslim scholars from 20 countries sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI urging mutual tolerance and respect over the weekend, and 500 prominent Muslims signed a religious ruling rejecting violence against civilians on Tuesday. Neither got much publicity....

Source: IndianMuslims.net

http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2006/october/19/muslim_world_news/in_changing_times_ramadan_brings_londoners_together.html?PHPSESSID=be9013ae7240b57349632d6e02a971c1

Nagina Chaudhry is delighted that Queen Elizabeth II has allowed her to read 'namaaz' (prayers) at Windsor Castle.

The 19-year-old student, who works in the...

Source: Daily Express

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=45066

The "kongsi raya" activity of sharing the joy of festivities as practised by Malaysians does not tarnish the sanctity of Islam, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Wednesday.

It also does not at all involve any conflict of the faith of Muslims, he added. "Kongsi raya" did not mean the blending of all customs and religious aspects of Islam and Hinduism, for example, he said...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_east/6062358.stm

Warnings about fire safety have been given to people celebrating two major religious festivals this month.

South Wales Fire Service is urging people celebrating Diwali and Eid Ul Fitr to be aware of fire safety in the home during the festivities.

Diwali is associated with candle use, while special meals are prepared for Eid - both of which the brigade says cause a...

Author: Jane Lampman

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1019/p13s01-lire.html

Two rows of tables, stretching the length of the gymnasium, are neatly stacked with brand-new items: warm sweat shirts and caps in several colors, thick socks, bright yellow ponchos to ward off the weather, and hygiene kits stocked with towels, toothpaste and a toothbrush, soap, and a comb. There are bags of food, bottles of water, and, for...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6067446.stm

The Spanish government, Catholic Church and Muslim leaders have joined forces to publish a school textbook on Islam.

The book Discovering Islam - for primary school children - was written in Spanish by a Muslim leader.

Spanish officials say the book has no parallel among Spain's EU neighbours with large Muslim minorities.

Spain has about a million Muslims, out of a 44 million...

Source: Hindu American Foundation

http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_uscirf_bangladesh.htm

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) affirmed its focus on the grave human rights abuses faced by adherents of non-Islamic religions in Bangladesh last week in yet another forum. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), created by the federal government to provide policy recommendations to the U.S. State...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6061264.stm

Thailand's new Premier Surayud Chulanont has said he will use peaceful means to try to resolve the Islamic insurgency in the country's south.

Speaking after a meeting in Malaysia, Gen Surayud said he wanted to reach out to Muslims in the troubled region.

His comments signal a different approach to the hardline stance taken by his predecessor Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup...

Source: WDC Media

http://www.wdcmedia.com/newsArticle.php?ID=2075

A Florida pastor who was dropped from political appointments by Governor Jeb Bush and Attorney General Charlie Crist for statements against Islam now says he wants to work together with peace-loving Muslims to oppose Islamic extremism. Dr. O'Neal Dozier says clarifying his beliefs about Muslims is an important step in the proposed alliance.

Dozier, pastor of Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano Beach,...