Source: The Council on American-Islamic Relations

On July 3, 2002 The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a press release "condemning a decision by Illinois' Cook County Sheriff's Department to strip police powers from an Orthodox Jewish deputy after he refused to remove his yarmulke, or religious skullcap, while on duty... The Washington-based Islamic advocacy group says it has offered to take up the case of the Jewish deputy, who was reassigned to clerical duties one day after CAIR offered public support for a Muslim deputy who is being...

Source: Los Angeles Times

On July 3, 2002, the Los Angeles Times reported that last week's two U.S. court rulings concerning religion in the public square demonstrate the strong "disagreements over the relationship between God and public life in America... First, a federal appeals court ruled that religion could not be part of a daily ritual of public school life... The next day, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that religious schools could receive public school dollars... The Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, executive director of the Washington-based Interfaith...

Source: New Jersey Law Journal

Source: Statesman Journal

http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=44359.

On June 30, 2002, the Statesman Journal of Salem, Oregon featured an article on the recent Pledge of Allegiance ruling. "The decision created instant furor, in part because the pledge is an American icon. But it may have just as much to do with people’s relationship with God — or lack thereof... In America, God means different...

Source: The Buffalo News

On June 29, 2002 The Buffalo News reported that various congregations in Western New York State "have come to the aid of refugees from some of the most dangerous parts of the world to assist them as they start a new life in the area... St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church... in the Town of Tonawanda recently heeded the call when it sponsored a four-member family from Bosnia. The church was expecting a Christian family, but the family is Muslim... 'As Christians we are all called to love all people, regardless of background...

Source: Los Angeles Times

On June 29, 2002 the Los Angeles Times reported that "FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III thanked Muslim Americans on Friday for providing 'substantive assistance' to the government investigation of the Sept. 11 attacks... In a controversial appearance before the American Muslim Council, Mueller noted that some people associated with the group have made statements in the past that were supportive of terrorism... But the FBI director said the organization has moved into the mainstream of American life and that 'we must all be...

Source: Newsday

On June 29, 2002 Newsday reported on an interfaith conference in New York City designed to help religious leaders "sustain their post-9/11 ministry." The conference was attended by "approximately 800 priests, pastors, imams, rabbis and other spiritual leaders from the metropolitan area... 'Leaders of faith communities are the first line (of defense) in mental health,' said Rabbi Stephen Roberts, president of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains, who chaired the daylong conference sponsored by the American Red Cross last month...

Source: Observer News

http://www.observernews.com/stories/current/news/062802/omar.shtml

On June 28, 2002 Observer News of Northern Virginia featured a profile of Manal Omar, who lives in Reston and who grew up in Northern Virginia after her parents emigrated from Palestine. Manal is "an economic researcher at the World Bank.. [and a] vocal advocate of women's rights... Her interest in locally based advocacy has brought her...

Source: The Washington Times

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020629-33455225.htm

On June 28, 2002, The Washington Times reported that "FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III yesterday encouraged the American Muslim Council to cooperate with the FBI to prevent future terrorist attacks... In a speech in Alexandria... Mr. Mueller — the keynote speaker for the group's 11th annual meeting — called on the members 'as Americans to continue working with us to defeat...

Source: The Arizona Republic

http://www.arizonarepublic.com/arizona/articles/0628latinomuslims

On June 28, 2002, The Arizona Republic reported that "the estimated 40,000 Latino Muslims in the United States remained far off the country's cultural radar until earlier this month when a Latino Muslim named Jose Padilla was accused by federal authorities of plotting... to detonate a radioactive 'dirty...

Source: The Washington Post

On June 27, 2002 The Washington Post reported that "Census figures show that the Northern Virginia suburbs [of Washington, DC] are among the fastest growing in the country. But unlike giant chains such as Blockbuster and Burger King, churches, synagogues and mosques often do not have the capital or luxury to stay one step ahead of the demographic curve. Planning and fundraising take time, and dealing with the thicket of local land-use regulations can [be difficult]... 'We've seen the number of people attending in the last...

Source: The New York Times

On June 27, 2002 The New York Times reported that "a Muslim woman who says the state [of Florida] is violating her religious rights in demanding that she remove her veil for a driver's license photograph will be in court this week to try to regain her driving privileges" without having to re-take her current license photograph.

Source: Muslim Public Affairs Council

http://www.mpac.org/NEWS/newsitemdisplay.asp?ID=177&ITEMTYPE=NEWS

On June 27, 2002, The Muslim Public Affairs Council issued a press release declaring their agreement with the statement issued by The Interfaith Alliance which concludes that "it is sad to see that religion has been so secularized that its use in a patriotic statement must be considered unconstitutional."

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On June 24, 2002, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette featured a letter to the Editor from Rabbi James Gibson, responding to the comments of Rev. Vines. "I am the senior rabbi of Temple Sinai in Squirrel Hill and have worked to improve inter-group relations in Pittsburgh for the last 14 years. I am shocked at Mr. Vines' callous disregard for interfaith sensibilities as well as his ignorance about Islam... Every person of faith, regardless of their belief, should demand a public retraction of Mr. Vines' statement. Neither explanation...

Source: Newsday

http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/ny-liisla222762011jun24.story

On June 24, 2002 Newsday reported that two FBI agents and a representative from the New York City police observed Friday prayers at the Islamic Center of Long Island. "They came at the invitation of Ghazi Khankan, director of Interfaith Affairs at the Westbury [NY] center, who wants to build a relationship between the Muslim community and law enforcement agencies...