Source: The Buddhist Channel

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=3,3315,0,0,1,0

Gaden Shedrup Choekhorling, the main Buddhist temple in Elista, Kalmykia, turned 10 on 6 October 2006 and the day was declared as a national holiday by the President of Kalmykia.

The main Buddhist temple was opened on 5 October 1996 and consecrated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 30 November 2004.

Mr. Tashi, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in...

Author: Dan Murphy

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1019/p01s03-wome.html

Sohail Nakhooda says Islam has a problem getting its message heard.

Thirty-eight Muslim scholars from 20 countries sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI urging mutual tolerance and respect over the weekend, and 500 prominent Muslims signed a religious ruling rejecting violence against civilians on Tuesday. Neither got much publicity....

Source: IndianMuslims.net

http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2006/october/19/muslim_world_news/in_changing_times_ramadan_brings_londoners_together.html?PHPSESSID=be9013ae7240b57349632d6e02a971c1

Nagina Chaudhry is delighted that Queen Elizabeth II has allowed her to read 'namaaz' (prayers) at Windsor Castle.

The 19-year-old student, who works in the...

Source: Daily Express

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=45066

The "kongsi raya" activity of sharing the joy of festivities as practised by Malaysians does not tarnish the sanctity of Islam, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Wednesday.

It also does not at all involve any conflict of the faith of Muslims, he added. "Kongsi raya" did not mean the blending of all customs and religious aspects of Islam and Hinduism, for example, he said...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_east/6062358.stm

Warnings about fire safety have been given to people celebrating two major religious festivals this month.

South Wales Fire Service is urging people celebrating Diwali and Eid Ul Fitr to be aware of fire safety in the home during the festivities.

Diwali is associated with candle use, while special meals are prepared for Eid - both of which the brigade says cause a...

Author: Jane Lampman

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1019/p13s01-lire.html

Two rows of tables, stretching the length of the gymnasium, are neatly stacked with brand-new items: warm sweat shirts and caps in several colors, thick socks, bright yellow ponchos to ward off the weather, and hygiene kits stocked with towels, toothpaste and a toothbrush, soap, and a comb. There are bags of food, bottles of water, and, for...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6067446.stm

The Spanish government, Catholic Church and Muslim leaders have joined forces to publish a school textbook on Islam.

The book Discovering Islam - for primary school children - was written in Spanish by a Muslim leader.

Spanish officials say the book has no parallel among Spain's EU neighbours with large Muslim minorities.

Spain has about a million Muslims, out of a 44 million...

Source: Hindu American Foundation

http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_uscirf_bangladesh.htm

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) affirmed its focus on the grave human rights abuses faced by adherents of non-Islamic religions in Bangladesh last week in yet another forum. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), created by the federal government to provide policy recommendations to the U.S. State...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6061264.stm

Thailand's new Premier Surayud Chulanont has said he will use peaceful means to try to resolve the Islamic insurgency in the country's south.

Speaking after a meeting in Malaysia, Gen Surayud said he wanted to reach out to Muslims in the troubled region.

His comments signal a different approach to the hardline stance taken by his predecessor Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup...

Source: WDC Media

http://www.wdcmedia.com/newsArticle.php?ID=2075

A Florida pastor who was dropped from political appointments by Governor Jeb Bush and Attorney General Charlie Crist for statements against Islam now says he wants to work together with peace-loving Muslims to oppose Islamic extremism. Dr. O'Neal Dozier says clarifying his beliefs about Muslims is an important step in the proposed alliance.

Dozier, pastor of Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano Beach,...

Source: Muslim American Society Press Release

http://www.masnet.org/pressroom_release.asp?id=3844

The Muslim American Society (MAS) is pleased to announce the nationwide launch of its new charity and service division - MAS Service Corps (MSC).

According to Iyad Hindi, a North Carolina MAS leader and organizer who serves as coordinator for the initiative, MSC will function as the national, social and community arm of the Muslim American Society, and work for the...

Author: Rebiya Kadeer

Source: Gulf Times

Author: Saraileynn Franklin

Source: The Daily Skiff, Texas Christian University

Author: Habeeb Salloum

Source: Mathaba

http://mathaba.net/news/?x=544512

"There is no more beautiful city in the world than Granada. Not even Cairo, Baghdad or Damascus with their wealth and splendour can compare with Granada."

These words inscribed on the emblem of one of the last Arab royal families in Granada well describes this Moorish city at the end of the 15th century, just before its occupation by the armies of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and...

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6054958.stm

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI will travel to Turkey in November, his first visit to a predominantly Muslim country.

The Pontiff will visit Ankara, Izmir, Istanbul and ancient Ephesus during the trip, which will begin on 28 November.

The trip has been overshadowed by a row over remarks he made about Islam.

The visit, which will run until 1 December, is the result of an...