Source: The Hartford Courant

On March 20, 2003 The Hartford Courant reported that "more than 25 churches in Connecticut have declared themselves "sanctuaries for peace" and will open their doors starting today for people to gather and pray... While congregations' opinions may be divided about the war, religious leaders say it's important that people have a place to go at such a crucial time... But the peace sanctuaries are not just a place for anti-war people to gather, Hughes said... 'Families may be coming from different perspectives -- some may be very...

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On March 19, 2003 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that "it is hard to define where the song, dance and food -- the culture of the Lebanese community -- end and the role of the Maronite church begins. 'The church is the sign of the unity of our people. It's what keeps us together,' said Joseph Anthony, who in 1936 was born into the first Lebanese Maronite Catholic church in Pittsburgh. 'And it's as important now as it was then...' Now, as Our Lady of Victory Church in Scott, the congregation is celebrating it's 100 th...

Source: Democrat and Chronicle

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/news/0319story2_news.shtml

On March 19, 2003 Democrat and Chronicle reported that "the near certainty of war with Iraq raised hard questions and deep worries here Tuesday, perhaps especially with those who have cultural and ethnic links to the Middle East... At the University of Rochester [NY], sophomore Akshina Samtani questioned the need for war... 'I do understand we’re dealing with...

Source: Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force

http://www.sikhmediawatch.org/prepare/advisory-18Mar03.htm

On March 18, 2003 Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force issued a press release stating that "following President Bush's remarks to the nation last night about the developments in Iraq, Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) is cautioning the Sikh American community to take extra safety measures to safeguard themselves, their property and their...

Source: The Associated Press

Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/112965_aboard18.shtml

On March 18, 2003 the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that "it is here... abroad the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Persian Gulf... on folding metal chairs, that shipmates utter private secrets and confessions, gather in Wicca circles for meditation, study Bible verses, offer up devout prayers to Allah, work their rosary beads, celebrate the Jewish Sabbath... The number of...

Source: Reuters

Source: The Omaha World-Herald

On March 18, 2003 The Omaha World-Herald printed an editorial stating that "Rose Rose has won permission from city fire marshals to have a sweat lodge in her back yard in southwest Omaha for another year. The decision, while it doesn't please everyone, was for the best... Rose, of the Northern Ponca and Santee Sioux tribes, uses the sweat lodge for spiritual purposes. It is an important cleansing and purifying ritual for many Indian tribes. That should earn her more leeway - and perhaps more understanding from her neighbors,...

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47098-2003Mar18.html

On March 18, 2003 The Washington Post reported that "Civil-rights groups and immigration advocacy organizations are protesting one element in the government's security procedures announced yesterday in anticipation of war in Iraq--a decision to jail asylum seekers from dozens of mostly Muslim nations while officials check out their claims of persecution in...

Source: Asian Week

http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=96d0ecdcb06cd97b663a6419386cfafc

On March 17, 2003 Asian Week reported that "Seattle became one of several cities to pass an ordinance that prohibits police officers and city employees from asking any person about their immigration status. Known as Council Bill Number 114436, it amends the original legislation that was passed in 1986 which states, '...

Source: The Omaha World-Herald

On March 16, 2003 The Omaha World-Herald reported that "hundreds of people marched in Omaha Saturday chanting, 'Drop Bush, not bombs...' The march through downtown Omaha was part of a 11/2-hour rally staged by the Act to Stop War Coalition, a loosely knit group of local people opposed to a U.S. invasion of Iraq... On Saturday, exhortations against war came from such speakers as former U.S. Rep. John Cavanaugh; the Rev. Damian Zuerlein of Our Lady of Guadulupe Catholic Church; Rabbi Craig Marantz of Temple Israel; Ibrahim...

Source: Los Angeles Times

On March 16, 2003 the Los Angeles Times printed an editorial by Benjamin J. Hubbard stating that "peace activists must remember that the potential for war in Iraq is prompting differing responses from religious communities. According to the Web-based religion site beliefnet.com, liberal Protestant, Roman Catholic and Muslim groups tend to oppose the war, and Jewish groups want to exhaust other alternatives before any invasion. Southern Baptists (and presumably most other evangelicals) favor the war. The pope opposes war, former...

Source: The Charlotte Observer

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/5404616.htm

On March 16, 2003 The Charlotte Observer reported that "more than a year after the terrorist attacks, the federal agency that monitors workplace discrimination says more workers are claiming bias and harassment based on their national origin or religion... The jump in Carolinas charges follows the national pattern. What's more, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission officials say the number...

Source: The New York Times

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On March 15, 2003 The Houston Chronicle reported that "Orthodox Christians worldwide continue to celebrate the restoration of icons to their churches after a bitter and at times violent iconoclastic - literally 'image smashers' - movement that racked Eastern Christianity for about 120 years... The Sunday of Orthodoxy, which is celebrated on the first Sunday of the Orthodox Lent, is one of the few services that draws the various branches together and beyond ethnic or national churches, said the Rev. John Stephanopoulos, dean of...