Source: The Indian Express

http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=37174

On December 14, 2003 The Indian Express reported, "Last month the bombing of a mosque [in the North Indian city of Nanded] triggered riots that went on for a week. In a place where Hindus and Muslims clash at the drop of a grenade, the Sikh community plays the all-important role of the neutral party that often mediates and mends. They enjoy a peaceful existence away from the...

Source: The Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/religion/2293190

On December 13, 2003 The Houston Chronicle reported that Houston Muslims came out in full force last week to celebrate the election of M.J. Khan to the Houston City Council with 53.2 percent . "'The whole community is pretty excited,' said Naveed Quraishi, a 48-year-old NASA engineer whose family volunteered on Khan's campaign. 'They did something and it worked. We backed a...

Source: New Straits Times

http://www.mmail.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/Columns/20031213081425/Article/

On December 13, 2003 the New Straits Times ran a column by Rizal Andalas, arguing that the proposed ban of "conspicious" religious symbols in France's public schools constitutes a violation of freedom of religion. Andalas writes, "[T]he proposed ban, while largely understandable when seen through the prism of French...

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-nj--arab-americans-po1213dec13,0,1415504.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

On December 13, 2003 The Associated Press reported that Arab-Americans are organizing politically in an unprecedented way, with activists forming umbrella organizations in at least nine states. State Arab American Leadership Councils have recently appeared in...

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/local/7474761.htm

On December 12, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "federal authorities say Philadelphia police wrongly barred a female officer from wearing a Muslim head scarf, a ruling that could lead to a civil rights lawsuit against the city.

The local U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission office ruled last month that the department appeared to have violated the rights of...

Source: Ha'aretz

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=370594

On December 12, 2003 Ha'aretz ran a Reuters article that reported, "France's chief rabbi added a Jewish voice Wednesday to a choir of Christian churches calling on President Jacques Chirac to stand firm against a growing movement to ban the Muslim veil in public schools and offices. Grand Rabbi Joseph Sitruk, in an interview with the daily Le Figaro, said...

Source: Contra Costa Times

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/content_syndication/local_news/7475177.htm

On December 12, 2003 the Contra Costa Times reported that "a federal judge has decided that seventh-grade teachers in a small East Contra Costa school district did not violate the U.S. Constitution when they asked students to pretend to be Muslim in lessons about Islam. The case against the Byron school district fueled a national debate...

Source: IslamOnline.net

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2003-12/11/article05.shtml#t

On December 11, 2003 IslamOnline.net reported, "Suleyman Demiray, a Turkish-born Muslim Imam who immigrated to Canada 10 years ago, made history Wednesday, December 10, becoming the first Muslim chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces after completing a 14-week chaplaincy training. 'It's a great honor being able to do something for my country,' he said after a...

Source: Cybercast News Service

[CNSnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=\ForeignBureaus\archive\200312\FOR20031211a.html]

On December 11, 2003 Cybercast News Service reported, "As Christmas approaches, Christians in Indonesia's Sulawesi province are worried that despite an influx of troops and police, the deteriorating security situation of the last two months may worsen. Christian campaigners working in the area say many are too scared to live normal lives, afraid to tend, harvest or market their crops for fear of attack...

Source: The Washington Post

[washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53432-2003Dec10.html?referrer=emailarticle]

On December 11, 2003 The Washington Post reported that Christians, Muslims and Jews recently gathered at Jaferia Islamic Center in Burtonsville to learn about Islamic culture and discover common bonds in the midst of this period of international conflict. "The event, sponsored by the Maryland Muslim Council, was an effort to help dispel misconceptions about Muslims and foster friendships. It included a forum, an...

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A54565-2003Dec10?language=printer

On December 11, 2003 The Washington Post reported that "the Secret Service took responsibility yesterday for sending an Arab American waiter home from his job at a Baltimore hotel before a presidential fundraiser last week. But it said the decision resulted from confusion over his work schedule, rather than from ethnic or religious discrimination...

Source: Detroit Free Press

http://www.freep.com/cgi-bin/forms/printerfriendly.pl

On December 11, 2003 the Detroit Free Press reported that more than 30 students from Canton, Plymouth and Salem high schools gathered at Canton High School to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. The event has been sponsored by the Muslim Student Association since the group was formed three years ago. The event included henna art, traditional food, and Muslim clothing worn during holiday celebrations....

Source: Reuters

Source: United Press International

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20031211-032204-3206r

On December 11, 2003 United Press International reported, "Muslim headscarves, Jewish skullcaps and large crosses are to be banned from French public schools, according to a report presented to President Jacques Chirac Thursday. More 'discreet' religious symbols, such as small crosses, Muslim Hands of Fatima and Stars of David should be allowed, a 20-member committee...

Source: OneWorld South Asia

http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/74892/1/

On December 10, 2003 OneWorld South Asia reported, "A coalition of rights groups and eminent intellectuals are protesting against the government's arrest of over 1,000 people campaigning to prevent Hindu fundamentalists from taking over a shrine in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, which is famed for its religious diversity. The arrested men and women, slated to be released today, were...