Author: Staff Writer

Source: Trend News

http://news-en.trend.az/islam/1412255.html

“The Russian government pays a great attention to Muslims in Moscow and other cities, as well as creates conditions to satisfy their spiritual needs. Moreover our Muslims build their future in spirit of religious tolerance under support of the authorities,” Chairman of the Russian Muftis Council Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin said at an opening ceremony of a new temporary...

Author: Betsy Powell

Source: The Star

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/580790

A judge has ordered a Toronto woman to testify without her niqab at a sexual assault trial – raising the thorny issue of whether Muslim women should be allowed to appear as witnesses wearing a veil that covers everything but the eyes.

The issue is a collision of two rights, pitting religious freedom against the right of a defendant to face an accuser in...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Associated Press

Author: Gregg Krupa

Source: The Detroit News

[detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090130/LIFESTYLE04/901300353/1041]

Muslims and interfaith leaders in Metro Detroit are asking a local radio station owner to discontinue broadcasts in which, they say, a Coptic priest has repeatedly defamed the Prophet Muhammad over the past year.

In an Arabic-language broadcast Wednesday on WNZK 680/690 AM, the Rev. Zakariah Boutros said the Muslim prophet Muhammad had engaged in necrophilia and gay sex,...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Daily Mail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1132382/Muslim-father-encouraged-son-flog-religious-ceremony-escapes-jail.html

A Muslim father was today given a six-month suspended jail term after a court heard how he encouraged his 10-year-old son to flog himself during a centuries-old religious ceremony.

Jurors found the taxi driver, 49...

Author: Warren P. Strobel

Source: The Miami Herald/McClatchy Newspapers

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/880950.html

In 10 days, President Barack Obama has transformed the U.S. dialogue with the Muslim world.

His tools have been carefully chosen words of reconciliation, the decision to close Guantanamo Bay prison and the early dispatch of a Middle East peace envoy.

"The reaction has been phenomenal....

Author: Stewart Bell

Source: National Post

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=1237450

The government has been using "counter-radicalization techniques" to steer Canadian Muslims away from extremism, according to a secret intelligence report obtained by the National Post.

The document outlines a little-known, government-wide, counter-radicalization strategy that aims to prevent al-Qaeda-inspired terrorists such...

Author: Fred Barbash

Source: Politico

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/18117.html

On Obama’s interview with Al Arabiya, the Arabic satellite news channel...

Joseph S. Nye, Harvard University: “This is what ‘smart power’ means in practice!”

Shibley Telhami, University of Maryland: “In these few remarks, he conveyed a different view of the Middle East than we have heard in the past...

Author: Lindsay Wise

Source: The Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/6233925.html

Ever wonder what the Quran has to say about terrorism? Why Muslim women wear veils? What Islam teaches about Jesus?

Ask a Muslim. All you have to do is call 1-877-WHY-ISLAM.

A billboard advertising the toll-free number sprang up last month on FM 1960 near Interstate 45. Similar ones have also been posted in...

Author: Rachel Zoll

Source: The Washington Post

Wire Service: AP

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/28/AR2009012801599.html

Many American Muslim leaders are eager to help President Barack Obama improve the U.S. image in the Islamic world, but they worry that their contribution might not always be welcome. The broad suspicion that has dogged them at home since...

Author: Alan Cowell

Source: The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/world/middleeast/28arabiya.html?emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

In an interview broadcast Tuesday on one of the Middle East’s major news channels, President Obama struck a conciliatory tone toward the Islamic world, saying he wanted to persuade Muslims that “the Americans are not your enemy.” He also said the moment was ripe for...

Author: Robert Burns

Source: The Associated Press

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090127/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/obama_mideast;_ylt=An5nthcMeYhRY_CFJBPO06U7Xs8F

Even before crafting its own Middle East strategy, the Obama administration is making clear that its approach will differ — in tone and style, if not also in substance — from its predecessor's.

In choosing an Arab network for his...

Author: Robin McDowell

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/world/20090126_ap_indonesianmuslimsbannedfrompracticingyoga.html

Muslims in Indonesia are banned from practicing yoga that contains Hindu rituals like chanting, the country's top Islamic body said Monday, echoing concerns by some religious groups elsewhere about its effect on their faith.

...

Author: Ayegba Israel Ebije

Source: AllAfrica.com

http://allafrica.com/stories/200901230406.html

The Nigeria Inter Religious Council (NIREC) has concluded plans to train 250 youths on how to overcome the issue of reli-gious crisis in Nigeria that has led to the loss of so many lives in Nigeria.

The national coordinator, Pro-fessor Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this in Minna yesterday in an address he delivered at the first Nigerian youths summit on...

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Muslim Public Affairs Council

http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=774

The Muslim Public Affairs Council today joins millions of Americans and people around the world in celebrating this historic day on which we have witnessed the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States of America.

On this unique and moving day, we stop to pray that the inauguration of Barack Obama will usher in an era of much-needed change....