Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4996708.stm

On May 19, 2006 BBC News reported, "The state governor of India's western state of Rajasthan has refused to sign a contentious religious freedom bill.

Pratibha Patil's refusal comes amid widespread criticism of the bill, which would ban people from being converted to religions against their will.

The state assembly passed the bill, which would see offenders fined or...

Source: cbs5.com

http://cbs5.com/localwire/localfsnews/bcn/2006/05/18/n/HeadlineNews/MOSQUE-VANDALISM/resources_bcn_html

On May 18, 2006 cbs5.com reported, "Vandals shattered a $350 front door of an Islamic mosque in Milpitas this week but police say so far they have no evidence indicating it was a hate crime.

Visitors who came to attend an early morning prayer discovered the smashed glass front door at...

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/18/world/europe/18turkey.html

On May 18, 2006 The New York Times reported, "A gunman stormed into a courthouse meeting room in Ankara on Wednesday and shot five judges, apparently in anger at a ruling enforcing a strict ban on the wearing of Islamic head scarves.

One judge later died, and top officials, including the prime minister, who himself had criticized the court's ruling, rushed to...

Source: The New York Times

Source: The Catholic Register

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=19880

On May 17, 2006 The Catholic Register reported, "If Toronto lands the 2015 World's Fair it should grab the opportunity to put its impressive religious diversity on display, religious leaders and city officials have told The Catholic Register.

Toronto plans to make a bid to the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions...

Source: Georgetown University Office of Communications

http://explore.georgetown.edu/news/?ID=15539

On May 17, 2006 Georgetown University Office of Communications reported, "Recent world affairs have prompted an increased demand for professionals and scholars with advanced knowledge of Arabic and expert knowledge of Islam. In response, Georgetown University has launched a new degree program leading to a Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Studies. "Georgetown's strengths in...

Source: Muslim American Society Press Release

http://www.masnet.org/takeaction.asp?id=3330

On May 17, 2006 a Muslim American Society Press Release reported, "Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation is encouraging all area Muslims to join the mobilization rally for Immigrant rights on Wednesday, May 17 on the National Mall in Washington, DC, starting at 4 pm. People are asked to assemble between 12th to 14th Streets NW between Madison and Jefferson Avenue. MAS Freedom...

Source: Religion News Service

http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=10521

On May 16, 2006 Religion News Service reported, "Many African-American Muslims can trace their Islamic heritage to slaves who were brought to North America in the 17th century, some 10 percent to 30 percent of whom were estimated to be Muslim. They call themselves, as a matter of pride, 'indigenous Muslims.'

Together, black Muslims account for about a quarter of the country's...

Source: Los Angeles Times

Source: Hindu American Foundation

http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_uscirf_2006.htm

On May 16, 2006 Hindu American Foundation reported, "The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) expressed support over portions of the annual report released by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on May 3, 2006. The report, which aims to draw the U.S. government's attention to countries with systematic...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4965580.stm

On May 16, 2006 BBC News reported, "Malaysia is considering its multi-cultural credentials after a crowd of Muslims on Sunday broke up a meeting called to defend the rights of religious minorities.

The country's leaders condemned the disturbances, but the BBC's Jonathan Kent in Kuala Lumpur says non-Muslims feel increasingly beleaguered.

'I'm becoming an alien in...

Source: The Birmingham News

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0516/p20s01-lire.html

On May 16, 2006 The Christian Science Monitor reported, "Several times a day, Atena Asiaii pulls her maroon prayer rug from under her bed and lines it up on the scuffed linoleum floor, kneeling on it to face northeast, the direction of Mecca. She has figured out which corner to turn toward without the help of a compass because her roommate, Yael Richardson, prays facing East, the...

Source: World Council of Churches

Source: Religion News Service/Belief Net

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/191/story_19133_1.html

On May 16, 2006 Religion News Service reported, "Differing faith communities are coming together with more frequency to pray together and serve together than before the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, a new survey reports. The survey, sponsored by the Cooperative Congregational Studies Partnership, shows that approximately 22 percent of polled congregations...