FL: Muslims Host Barbecue to Promote Understanding
Once Sofian Abdelaziz Zakkout gets going on the subject of bridging gaps between South Florida Muslims and other community groups, it’s apt to be a long conversation. Zakkout, who heads the Miami Beach-based American Muslim Association of North America, is passionate about bringing together Muslims and non-Muslims. So when the 50-year-old Palestinian immigrant planned the […]
TX: Former Imam Facing Deportation
A former Austin imam whose interfaith work made him one of the most recognized Muslim leaders in Central Texas is being held at a Dallas detention facility and faces deportation to Pakistan, according to his attorney and family. Imam Safdar Razi, who led the Northwest Austin Shiite mosque the Islamic Ahlul Bayt Association for six […]
NY: Muslims, Catholics Celebrate Their Accord
The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States cast a negative light on Islam, and resulted in negative stereotypes about the Muslim religion. Rather than allow relationships among local faith groups to splinter, Catholics and Muslims co-hosted educational workshops to build understanding. On Wednesday, the Muslim Catholic Alliance will celebrate the fifth anniversary […]
Link TV to Premiere ‘USA vs. Al-Arian’ Tonight
Today, LINK TV presents the U.S. television premiere of USA vs AL-ARIAN, an intimate documentary portrait of an Arab-American family facing terrorism charges laid by the U.S. Department of Justice. In February 2003, the FBI arrested university professor and political activist Sami Al-Arian in Tampa, Florida. Charged with supporting the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, classified by […]
McCain’s Hate Problem
The Question: John McCain’s spiritual guide, televangelist Rod Parsley, calls Islam a “false religion” that should be “destroyed.” Should McCain renounce Parsley? Will Islam be an issue in this year’s U.S. presidential election? John McCain should immediately renounce Rod Parsley not only for his astounding hate mongering against Islam, but also for his extreme views […]
PA: Police Investigating Swastika on Obama Sign
State police say a swastika was spray painted on a campaign sign for Sen. Barack Obama in an Indiana County couple’s yard. Kamal Youssef and his wife, Maria, say they found the defaced sign on Saturday. Police and an Obama campaign official say it appears to be an isolated incident…
DC: Muslim Pentagon Official Cleared
Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England cleared his special assistant of any wrongdoing related to a run-in with former Joint Staff analyst Stephen Coughlin, and amid questions about the Muslim aide’s background. “The deputy secretary’s office has thoroughly reviewed the issues of concern raised by a few members of Congress and the media and has concluded […]
NY: Muslim Prisoners Win Right to Diet Equality
Muslim inmates at the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla have won the right to be served a diet that includes meat prepared in accordance with their faith, under a settlement reached with the county last month. Judge Richard M. Berman of Federal District Court in Manhattan approved the settlement, which stipulates the county’s obligation to […]
NJ: Mosque Brings Worship Closer to Home
To fulfill his religious obligation, Rahway resident Hasan Thornton would drive to Plainfield or Irvington every Friday afternoon for the Muslim congregational prayer. But no more. With the opening of the new mosque in Roselle, Thornton travels a few minutes to join a handful of other congregants in the area who are trying to build […]
CA: Mayor Joins Mosque’s Tribute to MLK
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was the guest of honor Friday at a Los Angeles mosque. But it was the spirit of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. that held the crowd. “King was a leader who gave his life working for justice,” said Muzammil H. Siddiqi, religious director of the Islamic Society of Orange County, in […]