Source: The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,11882,1368735,00.html

On December 8, 2004 The Guardian reported, "Muslim prayer leaders in France are to be offered university training in French law, civics, history and culture from next autumn as part of a bid to build a moderate 'French Islam' that respects human rights and the Republican code, the interior minister said yesterday.

The courses, available initially at two university...

Source: The Jersusalem Post

Source: UN News Service

Source: The Hindu

http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/07/stories/2004120704031000.htm

On December 7, 2004 The Hindu reported, "On the occasion of the 12 anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid, the All-India Muslim Unity Front (AIMUF) today held a demonstration-cum-dharna at Jantar Mantar here, demanding that the mosque be rebuilt at its original site in Ayodhya. Addressing the demonstrators, the president of AIMUF, Mohammad Younus Siddiqui, said the...

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1206/p11s02-lire.html?s=hns

On December 6, 2004 The Christian Science Monitor reported, "A vote by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to use economic sanctions against certain companies doing business with Israel - namely those that profit from the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza - has set off a quiet firestorm within the American religious community. The Presbyterians' decision to consider...

Source: Khaleej Times

Wire Service: Reuters

Source: Grand Folks Herald

Wire Service: AP

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/state/10346467.htm

On December 5, 2004 the Associated Press reported, "in the middle of a Twin Cities suburb, more than 200 Muslim students study their own heritage and culture, and most importantly, they feel they belong. When Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy opened its doors for the second year this fall in the former Inver Grove Heights...

Source: Arutz Sheva

http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=73067

On December 5, 2004 Arutz Sheva reported, "Work on the construction of a mosque in the center of Kostroma continues despite protests reportedly organized by the local diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, according to Andrey Osherov, a participating monitor in a European Commission sponsored project to monitor xenophobia in Russia. (UCSJ, the Moscow Helsinki Group and the Moscow Bureau on Human Rights are the main...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4069471.stm

On December 5, 2004 the BBC News reported, "The Thai government has dropped an estimated one hundred million paper origami birds in an unusual peace bid.

The birds were dropped by military planes over the country's Muslim south after a surge of violence in the area.

Ordinary Thais across the nation have folded and written peace messages on the paper cranes in a...

Source: TIMES ONLINE

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1387077,00.html

On December 4, 2004 TIMES ONLINE reported, "A few days ago, pop celebrities joined 2,000 people in a march through Marseilles denouncing violence against women, particularly in the immigrant-dominated housing estates. The protest against Islamic 'obscurantism' and the 'fundamentalism that imprisons women' was led by a group of Muslim women who call themselves Ni Putes ni Soumises (...

Source: The Fresno Bee

Wire Service: AP

http://www.fresnobee.com/24hour/world/story/1889136p-9821391c.html

On December 3, 2004 the Associated Press reported, "A furor in Turkey ignited by the title of a Christian spiritual leader on a U.S. embassy invitation has underscored concerns about the largely Muslim country's treatment of minorities two weeks before the European Union decides whether to open membership talks with...

Source: The Church of England Newspaper

Source: The Arbiter

http://www.arbiteronline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/12/02/41af0ed16f190

On December 2, 2004 The Arbiter reported, "Boise State’s Muslim Student Association Chapter President Maryam Mesmarian is speaking up about Muslim student life and concerns, trying to counter what she sees as cultural misconceptions. During the month-long celebration of Ramadan, the [Boise State University] chapter of the MSA operated a booth in the...

Source: KFOXTV

http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/3967698/detail.html

On December 2, 2004 KFOXTV reported, "an arson in progress... that was the call El Paso Police Officer Moises Avila responded to in September. Avila's quick response led to the arrest of a man allegedly attempting to burn down the El Paso Islamic Center. Members of the Islamic Community formally thanked Officer Avila with a plaque and ceremony this afternoon."

Source: The Tampa Tribune

http://tampatrib.com/floridametronews/MGBZFLPI82E.html

On December 2, 2004 The Tampa Tribune reported, "federal antiterrorism legislation and the backlash against the Arab community is driving the undocumented population away from the mainstream, according to immigration and civil rights advocates. Dalia Hashad, the American Civil Liberties Union's national advocate for Arabs, Muslims and South Asians, recounted anecdotes of Arab and Muslim...