Source: The Oregonian

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0328/p11s01-wogi.html

On March 28, 2005 The Christian Science Monitor reported, "During her pilgrimage to Mecca, Asra Nomani was surprised when men and women prayed all together; in her mosque in the US, women weren't allowed in the same room.

That experience fueled her personal jihad (or struggle), which, she says, is to reclaim the rightful role of women in Islam given by the prophet...

Source: Tallahassee Democrat

http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/news/local/11246733.htm

On March 28, 2005 the Tallahassee Democrat reported, "Akeem Muhammad, a Muslim serving a life sentence in state prison, said he shouldn't be handcuffed and shaved against his will just because he doesn't want to. In fact, Muhammad believes 'shaving one's face violates the tenets of Islam,' he said in a letter to the Tallahassee Democrat... Sorry, said a prison...

Source: Contra Costa Times

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/11248494.htm

On March 28, 2005 the Contra Costa Times reported, "many U.S. Muslims, especially those who have grown up in this country, are asking the same questions. They are successful, professional women who chafe at having to pray in dark, secluded rooms at their local mosques while men enter through the front doors and worship in comfort. They are professors at U.S. universities...

Source: The Washington Times

http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20050328-123558-6916r.htm

On March 28, 2005 The Washington Times reported, "Virginia Commonwealth University has tightened security because of threats against a faculty member who led a mixed-sex prayer service that drew harsh criticism throughout the Muslim world. The precautionary measures were taken the week after Islamic studies professor Amina Wadud led 80 to 100 men and women in...

Source: Reuters

Source: The Telegraph

Source: Kerala Next.com/India News

http://www.keralanext.com/news/indexread.asp?id=163454

On March 27, 2005 India News reported, "About thirty four terracotta temples of 18th century at Pathra in Midnapore district of West Bengal have an unlikely saviour - a Muslim clerk who fought against communal tension, apathy and negligence to ensure that they survive for posterity. For Yasin Pathan, the man who looks after these temples, the mysterious temples have been a...

Source: The Associated Press

http://news.mainetoday.com/apwire/D892R2PO1-84.shtml

On March 26, 2005 The Associated Press reported, "[A] Portland mosque is not the only one to spring up in an unusual location as northern New England's Muslim population grows. In Colchester, Vt., Muslims converted the former offices of a computer repair company into a mosque. Its neighbors are a recording studio and swimsuit factory. In New Hampshire, the Islamic Society of Greater...

Source: Daily Record News

http://www.dailyrecord.com/midday/midday1-update0323.htm

On March 25, 2005 the Daily Record News reported, "in Denville, Aref Assaf is supporting U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine, warming to his willingness to include more Arabs and Muslims in his administration and to fight what the Democrat considers the excesses of the USA Patriot Act. Three and a half years after the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the Arab-American and...

Source: Religioscope/Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

http://religion.info/english/articles/article_159.shtml

On March 25, 2005 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported, "Tursunai looks much younger than her 11 years. She struggles to correctly write her name but fluently recites Islamic texts. Tursunai is one of half a dozen girls attending the madrasah who says she wants to become a buatin, or a female imam. Although her father is himself an imam, Tursanai's...

Source: Khaleej Times

Wire Service: AP

Source: The Muslim News

http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/paper/index.php?article=1896

On March 25, 2005 The Muslim News reported, "A 27 year-old man and a 17-year-old woman, both white, from Worthing, were arrested on March 13, in connection with the arson attack on Worthing Islamic Society Masjid Al-Islam in Ivy Arch Road, Worthing, West Sussex. They have been bailed to return to the police station on March 23. A worshiper at the mosque discovered the fire when he...

Source: Yahoo! News

Source: Arab News

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=60889&d=23&m=3&y=2005

On March 23, 2005 Arab News reported, "The government of Pakistan has restored the column of religion in passport, said Federal Minister of Defense Rao Sikanader Iqbal here yesterday.

The column identifying the bearer’s religious affiliation will be restored to the Pakistani passport, in a bid to avoid a clash with Islamic parties threatening a...