Source: International Herald Tribune

https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/19/opinion/IHT-ban-the-croissant-secular-and-religious-rights.html...

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-nj--muslimsociety1219dec19,0,784492,print.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

On December 19, 2003 The Associated Press reported, "The nation's largest black Muslim organization, decimated in recent months by the resignation of founder Warith Deen Mohammed and other leaders, has hit bottom but can still be salvaged, according to a Newark...

Source: Yahoo! News

Source: Maclean's

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/life/article.jsp?content=20031222_71973_71973

On December 19, 2003 Maclean's ran a feature section on how different faiths celebrate or recognize Christmas in Canada. Stories included an article from a woman reflecting on her attempt to explain what Santa Claus has to do with the birth of Jesus ("my six-year-old daughter is still trying to sort out some relationship issues. To wit: if Santa...

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16370-2003Dec19.html

On December 19, 2003 The Washington Post ran an article on the reactions and possible consequences of the proposed law in France that would ban "conspicious religious symbols" from public schools, citing some Muslims who agreed with the proposal to keep religion "private" and "in the home." The article went on to say, "Outside Paris's main mosque, in a...

Source: The Bellingham Herald

[bellinghamherald.com/stories/20031219/TopStories/168888.shtml]

On December 19, 2003 The Bellingham Herald reported on how Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, and Pagans celebrate the Christmas holiday season. Interviews reveal that many local Sikhs exchange gifts, that some local Muslims put up Christmas trees, and that Jews sometimes celebrate secular Christmas along with Hannukah. Pagan celebrationsoften involve time for introspection and a ritual commemorating the winter solstice.

Source: Akron Leader

http://www.akron.com/20031218/FPAGE/spread.htm

On December 18, 2003 the Akron Leader reported on the Akron Area Interfaith Council (AAIC), an organization of leaders and lay people representing 20 houses of worship that promotes understanding and religious tolerance.Christians from Unitarian Universalist, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopalian and Baptist churches are represented, as are members of Islamic, Jewish and Buddhist houses...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3325285.stm

On December 18, 2003 the BBC News ran an article on the history of secularism in France, in light of the recent debate over the ban of religious symbols in French public schools: "Secularism is the closest thing the French have to a state religion. It underpinned the French Revolution and has been a basic tenet of the country's progressive thought since the 18th Century. To this day, anything that smacks of...

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/19/politics/19RELI.html

On December 18, 2003 The New York Times reported, "The Bush administration on Thursday gently criticized a French proposal to ban head scarves and other conspicuous religious items from the public schools, saying that such displays constitute 'a basic right that should be protected.' In the first public comment by a United States official about the controversy, John V. Hanford, the...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3329563.stm

On December 18, 2003 the BBC News posted excerpts from French President Jacques Chirac's speech supporting a law banning "conspicious" religious symbols from public school classrooms. Chirac said, "The debate on the principle of secularism goes to the very heart of our conscience. It concerns our national cohesion, our ability to live together, our ability to unite on what is essential...All of France's children,...

Source: IslamOnline.net

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2003-12/17/article04.shtml

On December 17, 2003 IslamOnline.net reported, "A new Islamic center is under construction in Rotterdam, with funds from a United Arab Emirates charity and the support of such prominent officials as the mayor of the Netherlands second largest city. Maktoum Charity Foundation had decided to pay for the entire cost of the construction, estimated at four million...

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/okeefe121803.html

On December 17, 2003 The Associated Press reported that Judea Pearl, the father of journalist Daniel Pearl, is transforming his son's February 2002 murder into an opportunity for dialogue between Muslims and Jews. Pearl is teaming with Islamic scholar Akbar Ahmed to pursue "an insightful and unconventional perspective, an unshaken belief in the effectiveness of education and...

Source: Yahoo! News

Source: IslamOnline.net

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2003-12/17/article02.shtml

On December 17, 2003 IslamOnline.net reported, "The French Muslim Council lambasted...a government report on secularity and religion, dismissing it as an 'affront' to the Muslim community in the western European country. In an open message to French President Jacques Chirac...the council said secularism in France took 'a step backward' after a government...

Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Inc.

http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2003/12/16122003165720.asp

On December 16, 2003 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Inc. reported, "In Kosovo this year, thousands of Muslim Kosovar Albanians will again be attending midnight Mass along with their Christian neighbors...[Dom Nosh Gjolaj, a priest at St. Ndou Roman Catholic Church] says he does not know how or precisely when the custom of interfaith visitation began in...