Original Source: The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC)

https://www.deseret.com/2003/8/31/19745225/muslims-learning-how-to-defend-their-religious-tenets

On August 30, 2003, The News &...

Source: The Plain Dealer

[cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living/1062236118108620.xml]

On August 30, 2003 The Plain Dealer reported: "A group of religious leaders is developing a Muslim-Christian dialogue to promote understanding between the two faiths in Northeast Ohio. Christians and Muslims Establishing Peace, the working title of the new group, is planning an evening of prayer and reflection on "Making Peace and Seeking Justice in a Post 9/11 World" on the eve of the second anniversary of the Sept. 11...

Source: Savannah Morning News

[savannahnow.com/stories/083003/LOC_mosquereaction.shtml]

On August 30, 2003, the Savannah Morning News reported that local faith communities were uniting to support the Muslim community, which has been the target of recent violence, including a fire that destroyed the Savannah Islamic Center. The paper reported: "Savannah's Inter-racial Interfaith Community and some members of the Unitarian Universalist Church plan to place a newspaper advertisement reminding the community about the right...

Source: The Augusta Chronicle

[augustachronicle.com/stories/083003/met_029-1230.001.shtml]

On August 30, 2003, The Augusta Chronicle reported that "members of a south Georgia Islamic group whose mosque was destroyed by arson last week are finding support from a local Baptist congregation that lost its own house of worship to fire nearly a decade ago. The Aug. 24 fire at the Islamic Center of Savannah brought back painful memories for the Rev. Matthew Southall Brown. He immediately thought of the challenges his own...

Source: Chicago Tribune

On August 29, 2003 the Chicago Tribune reported that "American Muslims are expected to gather in record numbers at two Chicago conventions this weekend to chart a course for increasing their political power and influence. Attendance at the annual meetings is expected to be greater than in previous years, Muslim leaders said, because the Islamic community believes that events since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks have created an urgent need to organize to defend their constitutional rights."

Source: Beliefnet.com

http://www.Beliefnet.com/story/131/story_13178_1.html

On August 29, 2003, an article from the Associated Press appearing on Beliefnet.com reported on the separate meetings of African-American and immigrant Muslims at the upcoming annual meeting of American Muslims in Chicago. "American blacks and immigrant Muslims are holding separate conventions just three miles apart--underscoring the divide between the two groups that Muslim leaders...

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)

[wtoctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1416821&nav=0qq6HeZy]

On August 26, 2003 WTOC 11 News in Savannah, GA, reported that a local peace coalition held a rally in support of the Muslims whose mosque recently burned down. "[T]he Muslim members are feeling a little better after attending a rally held in support of them by the Savannah Peace Coalition. 'We're here in solidarity,' said Kelly Gasnick, who organized the event. Nearly two dozen people showed up for the candle light vigil to rally...

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: 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."