Source: Hindustan Times

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_561918,00050003.htm

On February 5, 2004 the Hindustan Times reported, "A major controversy erupted after UNICEF's UK branch printed a diary ignoring Hindu and Sikh religious festivals while listing religious festivals from Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism. The diary which contains 25 days associated with Christianity, three days linked to Islam, two days for Judaism and one day for Buddhism...

Source: Aftenposten

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article.jhtml?articleID=724308

On February 5, 2004 Aftenposten reported, "Education Minister Kristin Clemet said during question time in parliament on Wednesday that she had no plans to ban the hijab - the head scarf worn by Muslim women that has recently become increasingly associated with Islamism. The Progress Party's parliamentary group agreed Wednesday to propose banning the hijab and...

Source: The Economist

http://www.economist.com/World/europe/displayStory.cfm?story_id=2404691

On February 5, 2004 The Economist ran an in-depth article on the integration of the growing Muslim population in France to French secular society, spurred by the controversy over the proposed law banning religious symbols in public schools. The article reported, "Outside France the headscarf ban has caused bafflement and indignation, and not only in the Arab...

Source: The Times-Picayne

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1075966342243360.xml

On February 5, 2004 The Times-Picayne reported that "Maryam Motar attends school in the United States, not France, where the government is considering a law that would forbid her to wear the head scarf required by her religion.

The West Jefferson High School sophomore's attire still made her a target for ridicule, though, and according to...

Source: The Sikh Coalition

http://www.sikhcoalition.org/HondaEhlers.asp

On February 4, 2004 The Sikh Coalition reported that Congressmen Mike Honda (D-CA) and Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) sent a memo to members of Congress and urged them to sign onto a letter to the French Government. This letter expresses concern over the French ban of articles of faith in schools. The letter reads, in part: "On February 10, 2004, the French Parliament will vote on legislation to restrict religious...

Source: EUpolitix.com

http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/News/200402/337ee4a1-bd98-46d9-b0a9-f107bdc0 1209.htm

On February 4, 2004 EUpolitix.com reported, "Muslim headscarves should be banned in schools, the leader of the European Parliament’s largest political group has told EUpolitix.com. Entering the fray of the controversial debate over the freedom to wear Muslim veils in public institutions, German Christian Democrat MEP Hans-Gert...

Source: Reuters

Source: IslamOnline.net

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2004-02/04/article01.shtml

On February 4, 2004 IslamOnline.net reported, "Holland's Labor Party announced Monday, February 2, the appointment of the first Muslim-Arab member to Amsterdam 's City Council, the highest authority in the capital. Ahmad Abutaleb, of a Moroccan decent, replaces prominent councilor Rob Oudkerk, who was forced to step down last month over a sex scandal that hit...

Source: US Newswire

Source: The Voice of America

http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectid=C3B738BD-3C3A-4EE0-BCEDACB70

On February 3, 2004 The Voice of America reported on two Muslim families living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, one of the oldest Muslim communities in the United States. Despite the fact that the majority of the population is Christian, these Muslims report that its a comfortable place to make their homes and practice their religion. The article discusses...

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.nola.com/newsflash/louisiana/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1075847651258200.xml

On February 3, 2004 The Associated Press reported that "a teacher at a suburban high school was removed from his classroom because of accusations that he yanked off a Muslim student's head scarf and allegedly told her, 'I hope God punishes you.'

West Jefferson High School principal Lale Geer confirmed Tuesday that...

Source: The Moscow Times

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2004/02/02/012.html

On February 2, 2004 The Moscow Times reported, "Millions of Muslims across Russia began celebrations Sunday for Eid-ul-Adha, or the festival of sacrifice, a major Muslim holiday that symbolizes Ibrahim's willingness to obey God and sacrifice his son Ismail. President Vladimir Putin took the opportunity Sunday to issue another call for tolerance within Russian society. 'This holiday...

Source: The Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/469147.cms

On February 2, 2004 The Times of India reported, "Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati on Sunday questioned the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama’s propriety in initiating a dialogue on the Ayodhya issue. 'The Dalai Lama does not believe in Lord Rama. Nor does he belong to this land. How can he promote a dialogue between the two groups,' he asked. 'Talks are in...

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4106-2004Feb1.html

On February 2, 2004 The Washington Post reported, "The custom of sacrificing lambs to mark the end of the Muslim hajj has caused controversy in the rural Prince William County town of Haymarket, where some residents say an illegal slaughterhouse is being operated in their neighborhood. The issue is a pen that contained dozens of lambs that were being killed...

Source: The Newhouse News Service

http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/tilove020504.html

On February 2, 2004 The Newhouse News Service reported, "The Melting Pot comprises the nation's largest metropolitan areas, where most immigrants come in search of their American dream and from which many existing residents depart to chase their dreams in the presumably greener pastures of the New Sun Belt. The Melting Pot is becoming less white and more diverse at a pace without...