Source: Star-Ledger

http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1048750335198020.xml?sta

On March 27, 2003 the Star-Ledger reported that "Born in the USA shows [Dina] Abulmagd, a 26-year-old Teaneck [NJ] resident, instructing students in her class by day and interacting socially with family and friends in the evening... The intent of the documentary, according to filmmaker Ahmed Solimon, is to portray the teacher as being no different...

Source: The Washington Post

On March 27, 2003 The Washington Post reported that "Friday prayer services at the Prince George's Muslim Association Community Center in Lanham [MD] have always been followed by a series of cheerful public announcements -- the start of a new Arabic class, an upcoming feast to celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan, another sale at a local halal grocery of items required by Islamic dietary laws... But recently the list is just as likely to include a more serious type of event -- the latest seminar on how to stand up for...

Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen

http://www.press-citizen.com/news/032703camp.htm

On March 27, 2003 the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported that "the Corps' district engineer... William J. Bayles... will decide on whether to grant a lease to the Muslim Youth Camps of America, or MYCA. Bayles is reviewing 107 public comments regarding an environmental assessment of the potential campsite that found no significant impact... Local officials, residents and citizens nationwide have...

Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune

On March 27, 2003 The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that "people say there is a peace that comes with understanding. Not in agreeing with each other. But in understanding each other... Maybe that's why Teresita Boggess, watching Muslims pray in their Clairemont mosque, decided to follow along with them... 'I found it just a different form of prayer,' said the 17-year- old Christian. "I kind of stepped into their shoes. I liked that...' Until this year, she didn't know young people outside her faith. 'I've always...

Source: Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/archives

On March 26, 2003 the Chicago Tribune reported that "with reports of hate crimes against Muslim Americans rising in the region, Chicago's top FBI agent vowed Tuesday to aggressively investigate possible race-related incidents even as the agency continues to pursue terror suspects and question Iraqi immigrants... Thomas J. Kneir, special agent in charge of the FBI's Chicago office... spoke at a news conference attended by...

Source: Indy Star

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/6/031758-3516-093.html

On March 26, 2003 the Indy Star reported that "a Washington, D.C.-based Islamic civil rights group today called on federal authorities to aid the investigation of a restaurant fire in Franklin Township that left a Muslim businessman with burns over 60 percent of his body... The Council on American-Islamic Relations made the announcement despite the fact that investigators aren't...

Source: School Library Journal

http ://s lj.reviewsnews.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA286016&display=breakingNews&publication=slj

On March 26, 2003 the School Library Journal reported on their Video of the Week: What Do you Believe. The Journal reported that "this... documentary explores the spiritual lives of American teens. It includes in-depth interviews with six teenagers as well as commentary from 20 diverse teens. These teens are not actors, and...

Source: Springfield News

http://www.springfieldnews.com/articles/2003/03/26/local/news2.txt

On March 26, 2003 the Springfield News reported that "without supporting or opposing the U.S.-led war with Iraq, local law enforcement and community leaders gathered Tuesday in Springfield to denounce acts of hate against Arab and Muslim Americans... City, county, state and federal officials gathered at City Hall to warn potential trouble-makers they will face...

Source: National Council of Churches

On March 25, 2003 the National Council of Churches reported that "in a free society, all are responsible. That was among observations of four panelists - all religious leaders opposed to the war on Iraq - at a March 25 forum, 'From Winning the War to Winning the Peace: An Interfaith Dialogue on Resistance and Reconciliation...' More than 100 people filled the 'Great Choir' of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City for the forum, held in the early days of the war. 'This forum offers us a chance to reflect...

Source: Los Angeles Times

On March 25, 2003 the Los Angeles Times printed an editorial stating that "as the war in Iraq began last week, state and local leaders put police forces and emergency workers on alert against terrorist attacks. In Los Angeles, they also announced they would beef up their investigation and prosecution of hate crimes, a clear message that homeland security extends to Muslims and Arab Americans... Most recently, police are investigating as a hate crime the Feb. 22 beating of an 18-year-old Arab American by a pack of 30 young men in...

Source: Newsday

On March 25, 2003 Newsday reported that "those who knew Asan Akbar, suspected of hurling live grenades into officers' tents in Kuwait, described him yesterday as a studious and devout man whose alleged actions were 'totally out of character...' Akbar's mother, Quran Bilal [said] her son might have been accused because he is a Muslim and that Akbar had expressed fears he might be harassed because of his religion... [Sabir] El-Amin... a member of the Bilal Islamic Center in Los Angeles, where Akbar was a member... cautioned against associating...

Source: The Baltimore Sun

On March 25, 2003 The Baltimore Sun reported that "stop and chat with Anthony Romanus as he tends to his suburban garden and you'll realize, if you don't already, that the conflicting opinions can take place in a single soul as well - in this case that of a man who knew only a few English words when he came here from the Middle East at 21 and worked his way up from $5 a week as a shoe repairman to the board of directors of a bank and insurance company... He is one of more than 5,000 residents of Peoria [IL] - often viewed as the...

Source: Daily News

On March 24, 2003 the Daily News reported that "whether Christian, Jew, Buddhist, animist, Muslim or a practitioner of any other faith, Muriel Stockdale believes we're more alike than different... Though we may be divided by what we believe, we're united in our devotions to those beliefs, Stockdale said... That's why Stockdale, 50, has joined fellow filmmakers Manech Ibar and Casey Meade Rothstein-Fitzpatrick, both 27, to create 'New York Spirit,' a documentary of how we pray."

Source: National Council of Churches

http://www.ncccusa.org/news/03news23.html

On March 24, 2003 the National Council of Churches issued a joint statement with Secretary Generals of the Islamic Circle of North America and the Islamic Society of North America. It stated, "we are deeply saddened that military action against Iraq has begun. We pray now for a quick conclusion to this war, for the loss of as few lives as possible, and for peace. In the darkness of war, let us be...

Source: Star-Telegram

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/5468577.htm

On March 24, 2003 the Star-Telegram reported that "more than three dozen children heard from [Stan] Strauss, who investigates hate crimes for the Dallas office of the FBI. As the war in Iraq continues, some Muslims are concerned that they could become victims of harassment and hate crimes similar to ones that occurred during the first gulf war... Agents who spoke at the mosque also explained the FBI's efforts to interview...