Source: The Wichita Eagle

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/6572797.htm

On August 28, 2003 The Wichita Eagle reported that "Inter-Faith Ministries and the Muslim Public Affairs Council have begun a new initiative to reduce bias against Muslims and promote interreligious understanding... Trained speakers will make multimedia presentations about Islam beginning Thursday for Wichita [KS] public school employees and continuing through January 31 for a variety of area...

Source: The Plain Dealer

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/106207423574610.xml

On August 28, 2003 The Plain Dealer reported on a controversy over a Muslim student wearing the hijab, or headscarf, that violated a Cleveland, OH Catholic school's dress code. Sister Maureen Burke, president of Regina High School, said of the policy: "'It's a broad-based policy. It's certainly not just about do-rags or...

Source: News 8 (Austin)

Source: Associated Press

http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfullstory.asp?ID=17732

On August 27, 2003 the Associated Press reported that members of the Savannah Islamic Center were gathering under a makeshift tent for worship after a suspicious fire destroyed their worship building a few days earlier. "Muslims who attended the mosque, where about 100 families worshipped, said Tuesday they would continue praying openly--even in the 91-degree heat of the...

Source: WTOC 11 News (Savannah, GA)

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0825/p15s01-wmcn.html

On August 25, 2003 The Christian Science Monitor reported that Hossam Algabri, an Egyptian immigrant, received a notice from Fleet telling him, "We regret to inform you that we have decided that it is not in our best interest to continue your banking relationship with us." When Algabri tried to straighten out what he thought was a mistake, the bank "told him that his account was...

Source: Anti-Defamation League (ADL)

http://www.adl.org/PresRele/Mise_00/4342_00.htm

On August 25, 2003 the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) issued a statement commending President Bush's appointment of controversial Mideast scholar Daniel Pipes to the U.S. Institute of Peace. The statement said, "We commend you for appointing Daniel Pipes to the board of the United States Institute of Peace. As a world renowned expert on the Middle East and extremist Islam, Dr. Pipes...

Source: WTOC 11 News (Savannah, GA)

Source: Council on American-Islamic Relations

On August 24, 2003 the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a statement asking the FBI to investigate a fire at the Islamic Center of Savannah [GA]. "That fire, which arson investigators have termed 'suspicious,' came after two recent incidents at or near the same center that point to the possibility of a bias motive...the fire was reported around three in the morning. The blaze spread quickly and engulfed the house that was being used as a temporary center until a larger facility could be built."

Source: Union Tribune

On August 23, 2003 the Union Tribune reported that "prompted by complaints that fundamentalist Islamic clerics are spreading an anti-U.S., potentially violent ideology in federal prisons, the Justice Department's inspector general is investigating how prison officials are selecting Muslim chaplains... The complaints, including some from moderate Islamic groups, focus on the U.S. Bureau of Prisons' policy of relying on endorsements from two organizations that critics say promote the hard-line viewpoints shared by Osama bin Laden and...

Source: NCM Online

http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=55f969f4cbe3fc77a68a9a9984d4343a

On August 22, 2003 NCM Online reported that "area Muslims and Arab Americans gathered for an unusual town hall meeting...in Annandale, where many confronted FBI and other U.S. government officials with concerns that their communities are being treated unfairly during the war on terrorism. Tariq Khan, center, of Falls...

Source: Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

On August 22, 2003 the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a press release declaring President Bush's recess appointment of controversial Mideast scholar Daniel Pipes to the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) a "moral victory." The statement said, "By issuing this recess appointment, the president acknowledges that Pipes' nomination would have been turned down by the Senate, despite that body's Republican majority. Without being approved by the Senate, Pipes will serve just 18 months of what...

Source: Pioneer Press

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/6580090.htm

On August 21, 2003 the Pioneer Press reported, "After offering a series of programs to meet that need in recent years, [the Minnesota International Center] today is bringing together 'three great world religions' to help the public learn more about Christianity, Islam and Judaism and teach area teachers how to lead classroom discussions on religion. The center, based...

Source: Argus

On August 21, 2003 the Argus reported that "some pray to God, others to Allah. Still others worship the Brahman, the Great Spirit or the Great Truth... The names for the 'divine' vary from Christianity to Buddhism and understanding the differences and similarities among world religions can enhance the faith of all religious seekers... That's the philosophy behind a 'World Peace Village' sponsored by the Menlo Park-based Child and Family Institute and Fremont's St. James Episcopal Church today... The community is invited to participate in...

Source: Reuters

On August 19, 2003 Reuters reported that "being gay and Muslim, especially after Sept. 11, 2001, is a unique act of defiance requiring homosexuals to defend their religious identity in the face of an increasingly suspicious U.S. government and sexual orientation amid hostility from the conservative Islamic community... Many would rather deny their sexuality than sacrifice family, friends, culture or religion by coming out of the closet... But some gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Muslims are finding a safe haven in Al-Fatiha, a...