Source: The Daily Star

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/12/20/finding_a_haven_amid_the_storm/

On December 20, 2004 The Boston Globe reported, "at the Al Bustan school in Cambridge, 4-year-old's learn songs, how to read in English and Arabic, and to pray; female teachers wear hijab head scarves and infuse their lessons with an introduction to Muslim customs and practices... In the past three years, Muslim families...

Source: The Australian

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11737834%255E2702,00.html

On December 20, 2004 The Australian reported, "Christian churches are divided about a religious vilification ruling that could see a failed Senate candidate for the religious-based Family First party forced to pay damages. Danny Nalliah, a pastor from the Christian fundamentalist church Catch the Fire Ministries, was found...

Source: Bloomberg

Source: Washington Report on Middle East Affairs

http://www.wrmea.com/archives/December_2004/0412051.html

On December 20, 2004 the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs reported, "Dr. Sharifa Alkhateeb's smile and her voice, bubbling with optimism and determination, are now gone. But her memory will remain with everyone who knew her for a very long time to come. Alkhateeb died Oct. 21 of pancreatic cancer in Ashburn, VA. After a lifetime spent working to help...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/4109697.stm

On December 20, 2004 the BBC News reported, "A school that barred a Muslim girl who wanted to wear traditional 'head-to-toe' dress behaved illegally, an appeal court has been told. Shabina Begum, 15, has not been attending Denbigh High School in Luton since September 2002 in a row over her wish to wear a jilbab. Cherie Booth, QC, told the court on Monday the...

Source: Times Online

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1409301,00.html

On December 19, 2004 the Times Online reported, "Europe's reputation as a tolerant haven for people of all religions may be under threat. Muslims are apparently being viewed with high levels of disapproval, a survey has revealed. Sweden emerges as the most pessimistic west European nation; 75% of Swedes questioned said there is 'definitely a lot' or 'rather a lot' of disapproval...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/4109355.stm

On December 19, 2004 the BBC News reported, "Around 50 anti-racism campaigners gathered in Swansea on Sunday to deliver leaflets opposing fascism.

Campaigners said it was in response to a leaflet drop by the British National Party (BNP) opposing plans for a new mosque to be built in the city.

The Muslim community want to open a new mosque in the former St Andrews United...

Source: The Telegraph

Source: Houston Chroncile/The New York Times

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/world/2953300

On December 19, 2004 The New York Times reported, "In less than a decade, there has been a radical shift in France's prison population, a shift that officials and experts say poses a monumental challenge. Despite making up only 10 percent of the population, Muslims account for most of the country's inmates and a growing percentage of the prison populations in many...

Source: Houston Chronicle/Los Angeles Times

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/world/2953301

On December 18, 2004 Los Angeles Times reported, "Drawing fire from men and women, Hidayet Sefkatli Tuksal is at the forefront of Turkey's unique brand of Islamic feminism. Disillusionment over male professors and colleagues' misogyny prompted Tuksal, a fiercely devout Muslim scholar, to investigate what Islam really says about women. Her findings, she said, reveal...

Source: The Muslim News

http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=8555

On December 18, 2004 The Muslim News reported, "The Prince of Wales is brokering efforts to end the Muslim death penalty on converts to other faiths, The Telegraph has learned. He held a private summit of Christian and Muslim leaders at Clarence House this month to explore the centuries-old Islamic law under which apostates face persecution and even death. His intervention follows...

Source: Arabic News

http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/041218/2004121835.html

On December 18, 2004 Arabic News reported, "The Islamic-Christian conference wrapped up Friday in Ain Al Sukhna with a call of rejecting distinction between the Egyptian people on the basis of race or religion. The three-day conference concluded that the three monotheistic religions should be respected, stressing Islam's longstanding principle that there was no compulsion...

Source: Detroit Free Press

Wire Service: AP

http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm1873_20041217.htm

On December 17, 2004 the Detroit Free Press/AP reported, "nearly half of all Americans believe the U.S. government should restrict the civil liberties of Muslim-Americans, according to a nationwide poll. The survey conducted by Cornell University also found that Republicans and people who described themselves as highly religious were...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4092947.stm

On December 16, 2004 the BBC News reported, "A website called zabihah.com is helping Muslims find markets and restaurants with halal products, prepared according to Islamic dietary law. Shahed Amanullah is strolling through the isles of Halalco, a supermarket in Falls Church, Virginia, that specialises in halal products... Mr Amanullah's family is originally from southern India but he was raised in...