Good News Stories About Muslims in 2012

by Sheila Musaji

At the end of 2011, I published an article My favorite 2011 Good News Stories About Muslims that has been very well received.

We are living in difficult times, and all too often those who get the most attention from the media are those who least deserve any attention at all.  This year we will not wait until the end of the year to focus on such positive news, but regularly update this article.

I would very much appreciate hearing about other stories that I might have missed.  You can send these to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

INTERNATIONAL

— Christians, Muslims unite at Nigeria protest, Jon Gambrell   http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jELOV1jVts1Pwl09UORrP8h2kn_w?docId=935886390c9940c185854fa446b81afb

— The Muslim Right Concern (MURIC) has declared that the Islamic fundamentalist group Boko Haram is not fighting for Nigerian Muslims, and condemned Boko Haram’s aggression toward Christians.  “Places of worship should be held in reverence. The attack is therefore sacriledgious. We denounce Boko Haram’s violent approach particularly its attacks on rival religious targets.”  http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/islamic-news/34268-boko-haram-not-fighting-for-nigerian-muslims-muric

— Brotherhood Among Muslims And Christians in Nigeria.  The attempt by terrorists to divide Nigerians along religious lines is failing. In these times of crisis, true Muslims and true Christians are, once more, demonstrating the brotherhood among them. While Mass was being celebrated at several churches in Minna, Niger State, this Sunday, Muslim youth organised themselves to guard the worshippers. On Tuesday, during a rally in Abuja against the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government, and it was time for Muslims to pray, their Christian counterparts formed a ring around them.  http://leadership.ng/nga/columns/13013/2012/01/12/brotherhood_among_muslims_and_christians.html 

— Al-Azhar sheik proposes bill of rights for Egypt, Sarah El Deeb The head of Al-Azhar, the pre-eminent institute of Islamic learning in the Sunni Muslim world, put forward a Bill of Rights on Tuesday upholding freedom of expression and belief ahead of the drafting of Egypt’s new constitution.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iWDQaybfvM00I5xAB_I0YmE7XUdQ?docId=18b2260d504347509198938967c976e8

— German Muslims show solidarity with threatened Catholic churches, Ruby Russell http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=5397

— Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (a Muslim) was awarded the prize of the International Fund for the Unity of the Orthodox Peoples on Saturday. The award ceremony took place at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow and was led by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.  http://www.eurasiareview.com/22012012-abbas-receives-orthodox-award/

— Russian Muslims and Jews Call for a Ban on Religion-Based Political Parties in Russia http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=292260

— The hajj, subject of a new exhibition at the British Museum, shows that a respect for other faiths is central to Muslim tradition http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/22/prejudice-islam-hajj-british-museum?newsfeed=true 

— In Great Britain, Eighteen members of the Muslim community were recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours. One CBE, 5 OBEs and 12 MBEs will be handed to British Muslims for their varying contributions to society.  Thirteen members of the Hindu and Sikh community were also awarded (1 Knighthood, 11 MBEs and an Army MBE), whilst twenty one members of the Jewish community were awarded; they included 3 Knighthoods, 5 CBEs, 3 OBEs and 10 MBEs.  Gynaecologist Dr Tahir Ahmed Mahmood is the highest decorated member of the Muslim community this year; he is to be made a CBE for his service women’s health.  http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/paper/index.php?article=5698

— A film SOS Jerusalem, has been broadcast four times this month by the global Arab TV network Al Jazeera in English.  An Israeli living in England has made a politics-free film about cooperation between Jewish and Muslim and Christian Palestinian volunteer paramedics for the Orthodox Jerusalem organization United Hatzalah, who save lives together in Jerusalem’s western and eastern neighborhoods.  http://www.jpost.com/Health/Article.aspx?id=255366

—A documentary on the life and works of Abdul Sattar Edhi, “The Kingdom of Mr Edhi”, has won two film awards in France.  This may mean more publicity for the work of this great humanitarian who has been nominated the Pakistani PM for the Nobel Prize.  http://www.defence.pk/forums/current-events-social-issues/169237-documentary-abdul-sattar-edhi-wins-2-french-awards.html

— Israeli, Arab youths to hold virtual peace conference on Facebook http://ca.news.yahoo.com/israeli-arab-youths-hold-virtual-peace-conference-facebook-143245059.html

—Members of a mosque in Swansea, England raised £500 in just 48 hours to help a non-Muslim couple who needed help to visit their premature twins in hospital. http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Kind-mosque-families-raise-pound-500-help-twins/story-15086976-detail/story.html

— Muslims help build a Hindu temple in Bihar.  Patna: In a shining example of communal harmony, Muslims have helped build a Hindu temple dedicated to Durga in Bihar’s Gaya district, not just by making donations but also by supervising its construction.  http://gulfnews.com/news/world/india/muslims-help-build-a-hindu-temple-in-bihar-1.976465#.Ty_nTYkyxpg.twitter

— Pakistan’s Shad Begum was among 10 of the world’s leading women activists the United States honoured for their efforts to improve the lives of other women. Shad Begum of Lower Dir district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, received the 2012 International Women of Courage Award, at a ceremony in Washington, for working for women in a deeply conservative area.  US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama presented the awards.  http://www.altmuslimah.com/a/b/spa/4603/

— A Bangladeshi rickshaw driver, who saved for 30 years on $6 per day, founded a small hospital in the remote village of Tanhashadia. His efforts have made him a national celebrity and his clinic now treats 300 patients each day.  http://muslimpositive.blogspot.com/2012/02/bangladeshi-muslim-rickshaw-driver.html

— In Libya, a 2,000 year old Jewish Shul has been protected by a Muslim family for three generations.  Mohamed Madi is the latest of three generations who have secured the Yefren shul. His grandfather protected Yefren’s Jews with a rifle in 1948. Under Gaddafi, his father secretly tended to the synagogue. The Madis also look after the rabbi’s house. Such guardianship, he says, is about “honour and respect for our neighbours, and for their religion”.  “We have a very good relationship with the Muslims of Yefren,” says Jakov Guetta, grandson of Yefren’s last rabbi, now living in Israel. “The Amazigh are special people, good people. They protected the Jewish people from the Nazis in the war. We have had a very good relationship for hundreds of years.” He recalls Yefren’s Jewish history as one featuring “powerful things, miracles, everything”.  http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/65824/please-come-back-mohamed-looking-after-synagogue

— In France, thousands of Muslims and Jews reacted to the savage killings of three children and a rabbi at a Jewish school in Toulouse and the earlier murders of three French soldiers, including two Muslims, by joining together in solidarity marches in communities throughout Paris.  Meanwhile, top French Muslim and Jewish leaders have vowed to stand united in opposition to acts which Mohammed Moussaoui, president of the French Council of the Muslim Faith, has accurately characterized as being “in total contradiction with the foundation of this religion [Islam].”  http://www.jta.org/news/article/2012/03/26/3092337/op-ed-strengthening-muslim-jewish-ties-in-the-face-of-evil
Also, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders participated in a silent march to honor the victims http://www.viciousbabushka.com/2012/03/jews-and-muslims-march-together-in-memory-of-toulouse-terror-victims.html

— ‘A Muslim, a Jew, a Christian, a Hindu and a Bahá’í walk into a Synagogue’ is the first production of I.F Theatre, the first and only multi-faith theatre group in London. The project was created in January 2012 by Faiths Act Fellows Charlotte Flowers and Maryam Duale in partnership with Tzedek, MagicDoor and The Central School of Speech and Drama.  The group, made up of young Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Christians and Baha’i's, have spent 12 weeks creating a play, exploring faith and extreme poverty.  The production will open in April.  http://www.eventelephant.com/interfaiththeatre

— After spending several hours polishing the shoes of worshippers at Gurdwara Sisganj in New Delhi on Monday, where he was part of a Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association delegation, Muhammad Khurshid Khan (Deputy Atty. Gen’l of Pakistan) left for Amritsar, home of the Golden Temple and the centre of the Sikh religion, to clean thousands more.  He began his service pilgrimage after Jaspal Singh, one of three Sikh men kidnapped by Taliban militants in Peshawar in 2010, was murdered. The other two men were rescued by the Pakistani Army. Since then he has visited Sikh temples or Gurdwaras in Pakistan and India to declare his opposition to terrorism through ‘sevadari’ – service – to other religions.  Mr Khan said he was so upset by the killing and his fear that it associated his own Muslim faith with terrorism that he went to sit on the steps of Peshawar’s Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh. He felt a sense of peace, he told The Times of India, and resolved to visit other places of worship, including Hindu temples and Christian churches to offer his help.  “I am a Muslim, not a terrorist; I am a Khan, not a terrorist; I am from Pakistan, but not a terrorist,” he explained.  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/9167237/Pakistan-deputy-attorney-general-to-clean-shoes-at-Amritsar-Golden-Temple.html

— Muslims by the hundreds turned out to demonstrate against the killing of Joel Shrum, an American teacher in Yemen gunned down on March 18 while driving in Taiz, a city 170 miles southwest of Sanaa, the capital. Crowds filled Taiz streets on March 20 bearing placards with photographs of the 29-year-old Shrum, the phrase “...Why?” printed in Arabic and English across the bottom.  http://www.worldmag.com/articles/19327

— Turkey’s Top Muslim Cleric Slams Saudi Mufti Over His Call to Destroy Churches http://www.islamophobiatoday.com/2012/04/09/turkeys-top-muslim-cleric-slams-saudi-mufti-over-his-call-to-destroy-churches/

— On a recent trip to Turkey, President of Ireland, Mary McAleese expressed gratitude to the Turkish people for the humanitarian aid provided by the Islamic Khilafah to Ireland during the Great Famine, 160 years ago.  http://hotterthanapileofcurry.wordpress.com/2010/04/01/ireland-thanks-ottoman-caliphate-for-humanitarian-aid-provided-160-years-ago/

— French Muslim leaders representing 30 organizations gathered on the steps of the Opera Bastille in Paris to “say no to religious radicalism” and proclaimed their attachment to France and the values ​​of the Republic http://elderofziyon.blogspot.com/2012/04/french-muslims-protest-against.html

— A Muslim scholar has launched a groundbreaking campaign against forced marriage in Scotland.  Shaykh Amer Jamil says the practice has no place in Islam.  During the next few weeks leaflets and sermons are being given in mosques as part of an initiative to educate the community.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-17908548

— Mufti of Indian Islamic seminary of Deoband issues fatwa, says avoid polygamy http://bikyamasr.com/68147/indian-islamic-seminary-issues-fatwa-says-avoid-polygamy/

— The for the acclaimed French film “Free Men” (“Les Hommes Libres”), about Muslims saving Jews in Nazi occupied Paris is scheduled to be released in the U.S. this year.  http://forward.com/articles/149041/muslims-who-helped-save-french-jews/?p=all#ixzz1vRHeS7Gm

 

UNITED STATES & CANADA

— Christians, Jews and Muslims build a Habitat for Humanity home in Clearwater, Florida http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/christians-jews-and-muslims-build-a-habitat-for-humanity-home/1209996— 
Another interfaith group built a home in Altamonte Springs, Florida http://www.habitatseminoleapopka.org/company/habitat-s-interfaith-build-in-altamonte-springs-unites-christians-muslim-and-jewish-faiths

— Imam, priest, rabbi work together to educate in Quad Cities   http://www.qctimes.com/news/local/imam-priest-rabbi-work-together-to-educate-in-q-c/article_12916170-3e78-11e1-abea-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz1jRO7ArQW

— 4th Annual Interfaith Dinner and Dialogue for U.S. Religious Leaders held in NYC at which they discussed Islamophobia and anti-Semitism http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/rm/2012/180435.htm

—The Denver based Federal 10th Circuit Court Of Appeals struck down Oklahoma’s ban on Sharia law, declaring that it violated the United States Constitution.  http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/organizations-applaud/0018974

— Loonwatch anounced the Anti-Loons of the Year 2011: Profiles in Courage Awards http://www.loonwatch.com/2011/12/anti-loons-of-2011-profiles-in-courage/

— Military Veterans held an ‘eat-in’ to help Iraqi immigrants’ vandalized restaurant in Massachusetts http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/13/10149681-vets-hold-eat-in-to-help-immigrants-vandalized-restaurant

— Members of the Chabad of East Bronx, an ultra-Orthodox synagogue, worship in the Islamic Cultural Center of North America, which is home to the Al-Iman mosque.  The congregation originally called Young Israel was given space in the mosque when they lost their previous facility.  http://www.tabletmag.com/life-and-religion/88849/a-bronx-tale-3/

— Marshall University’s Muslim Student Association partnered with the Muslim Association of Huntington to host an event to feed the homeless.  http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/455477-muslim-students-feed-americas-homeless.html

— Dr. Jaya Shah has been inducted into The Cleveland International Hall of Fame.  Dr. Shah, a retired pediatrician, volunteers at the Painesville Free Clinic and helps Greater Cleveland’s Indian community with a variety of issues, including education, immigration and health care. She regularly organizes volunteer teams of physicians and other medical workers to help people in rural villages in India. Shah has helped more than 100,000 rural villagers in the last seven years.  http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/01/eight_new_members_inducted_int.html

— Two Tempe, Arizona students, Fabiha Alam, and Fatima Warsame, were honored Monday at the Tempe Diversity Awards luncheon for their work teaching and tutoring younger students at their local mosque in Tempe.  http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/tempe/article_01149df2-415e-11e1-b641-0019bb2963f4.html

— ISNA is co-sponsoring a conference with Global Deaf Muslim to make mosques more accessible to members of the deaf community http://www.isna.net/articles/News/Re-thinking-Friday-Prayer-and-More-Providing-Inclusive-Religious-Education-to-our-Deaf-Com.aspx

— MPAC issued a statement applauding the Supreme Court decision to uphold Religious Freedom in the Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), one of the most important religious freedom cases. The Supreme Court ruled that the government cannot tell religious institutions who they can hire and fire, essentially commanding noninterference by the government into faith-based institutions when it comes to matters of employment issues.  http://www.mpac.org/programs/government-relations/dc-news-and-views/mpac-applauds-supreme-court-decision-to-uphold-religious-freedom.php

— The Islamic Center of Southern California (ICSC) will honor Omar Hamoui, the Founder of AdMob, and Dr. Osman Shinaishin of the National Science Foundation at its 20th Annual American Muslim Achievement Awards which honors Muslim Americans who have made outstanding contributions to their work and to society at large http://www.mpac.org/events/icsc-honors-hamoui-shinaishin-at-achievement-awards.php 

— The Holocaust Center of Orlando, Florida is opening an exhibit on the Albanian Muslims who saved Jews during the Holocaust.  It is co-hosted by the Islamic Society of Central Florida.  http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features-the-religion-world/2012/01/26/holocaust-center-opens-exhibit-on-muslims-who-helped-jews/

— The commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Calgary Jewish Federation, in association with the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem, is presenting the Yad Vashem exhibition Besa: A Code of Honor – Muslim Albanians who Rescued Jews During the Holocaust.  http://gestetnerupdates.com/2012/01/29/honoring-albanian-muslims-who-saved-jews-during-the-holocaust/

— The Jewish community in Calgary, Canada is honoring Muslims who rescued Jews during the holocaust http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/iphone/news/latest/story.html?id=6063392

— The Clifton Center in Louisville, KY will have a showing of of Transmissions, a film by Eleanor Bingham Miller to honor Gray Henry-Blakemore.  According to Ms. Miller, the film “travels with Gray on her 50-year spiritual journey from Louisville to New York, then Egypt and the East, then England and finally home to Louisville, where she founded The Fons Vitae Press. Transmissions honors her tireless efforts on the local, national and global level in the field of Interfaith Relations.” Fons Vitae regularly draws internationally known religious leaders and scholars to Louisville, and Ms. Blakemore helps plan and produce Louisville’s annual Festival of Faiths.  http://www.kcd.org/film-premiere-will-honor-gray-henry-blakemore-‘61  and http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120127/NEWS01/301280016/woman-races-to-complete-work-on-islamic-scholar?odyssey=nav%7Chead

— The MLK Community Service Awards honors work for a just world, recognizing the work of organizations who exemplify the civil rights leader’s legacy.  They paid tribute to 10 Atlanta nonprofits that strive daily to create a world that is more socially, economically and politically just, particularly for the most vulnerable members of the community including the Atlanta Islamic Speakers Bureau.  http://www.emory.edu/EMORY_REPORT/stories/2012/01/campus_mlk_community_service_awards.html

— The White Ribbon Campaign to end domestic violence in the Muslim community will be promoted during the Canadian “What Makes A Man” 2012 conference in Canada.  http://whatmakesaman2012.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/afaun-mandol-speaks-on-the-muslim-community-uniting-to-end-domestic-violence-at-what-makes-a-man-2012/

— Ameena Matthews is one of the “interrupters” who work with Chicago-based anti-violence group CeaseFire, an innovative organization that aims to decrease the brutal violence that continues to disproportionately impact the city’s poor, urban neighborhoods through a peer-based public health-oriented approach. CeaseFire’s model, pioneered by epidemiologist Gary Slutkin, has been replicated in a number of other cities around the world who also struggling with street violence, most recently in Philadelphia, Baltimore and London.  She was interviewed on the Stephen Colbert program in February.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/02/ameena-matthews-the-interrupters_n_1250150.html

— The President of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, invited all members of the United Nations community in New York – including Ambassadors, Missions, the Secretariat, and the New York area NGO and religious communities – to join together for an observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week 2012 on February 7th in the General Assembly Hall.  http://www.interfaithharmonyweek.info/87-2012/119-an-invitation-from-the-president-of-the-un-general-assembly-feb-7th-2012.html

— Salman Khan and his Khan Online Academy http://muslimheroes.org/2010/11/29/91-salman-khan-online-tutor-khan-academy/ After 60 minutes did a story about Khan, and with the backing of Bill Gates and Google, Khan Academy and its free online educational videos are now moving into the classroom and across the world.  http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7401696n&tag=api&fb_ref=belowVideo&fb_source=other_multiline

— Sami Osmakac, a mentally ill individual who had been banned from two mosques in Florida for his extremist views, was arrested in January on charges that he was planning an attack using guns and bombs on multiple locations. As in numerous previous cases, the suspect, Sami Osmakac, was apprehended following a tip from local Muslims.  http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/florida-terrorism-arrest-follows-tip-from-local-muslims/0018969 

—The Islamic Supreme Council (ISCC) of Canada issued a Fatwa reminding Muslims that honour killings, domestic violence and misogyny are un-Islamic actions and crimes in Islam. These crimes are major sins in Islam punishable by the court of law and almighty Allah.  http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/fatwa

— Catholics and Muslims in New York City and Beyond Work Together to Help the Neediest.  The relationship between Catholic Charities and Muslim Women’s Institute has evolved over two years, as part of a social service partnership program run by the Interfaith Center of New York and funded by the GHR Foundation. The initiative involves collaborations between pantries in the Bronx, mosques and parishes in Harlem and youth programs in Staten Island. Last year, the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood in Harlem conducted a community food collection among congregants and donated the proceeds to a pantry at All Saints Church. Teens from the Staten Island Catholic Youth Organization and Miraj Islamic School conducted a joint food drive and together served food at a local soup kitchen.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-sayeed-phd/catholics-and-muslims-work-together-for-the-poor_b_1294848.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=2004647,b=facebook

— In California, Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills and King Fahad of Culver City have established a Congregational Fellowship.  These two congregations have partnered together for occasional programs for more than three years and approached NewGround to help take that partnership to the next level.  This spring 10 Muslims and 10 Jews from the two communities have committed themselves to eight meetings over three months to strengthen the bond between these communities and develop a vision for moving forward.  Guided by NewGround’s professional facilitators, these participants are learning key skills in communication, conflict resolution, and relationship building to help lead their faith communities toward greater partnership that will last for years beyond their intensive fellowship experience over the next few months.  http://www.muslimjewishnewground.org/programs.html

— A Muslim-Jewish High School Leadership Council has been formed in Los Angeles to offer students the opportunity to, build their leadership skills, create lasting relationships across faith boundaries and have an impact on important social issues.  An Advisory Board of Muslim and Jewish communal professionals under the leadership of Rabbi Sarah Bassin of NewGround and Soha Yassine of the Islamic Center of Southern California have built a partnership to provide this opportunity for a cadre of teen leaders in Los Angeles.  The City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission is proud to support the project.  http://muslimjewishleadership.org/

— The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), Islamic Networks Group (ING), Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and Palestinian groups condemned the barbaric killings in France by Mohammed Merah.  http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/french-murders/0019046

— Project Sakinah to Stop Domestic Violence now has released their reflections on 2011 programs and plans for 2012 programs http://www.projectsakinah.org/Home/TeamUp/Blogs/tabid/118/EntryId/50/Project-Sakinah-2011-Reflections-and-2012-Plans-for-Stopping-Domestic-Violence.aspx

—  The leading Imams and Rabbis of South America, an intimate group of twenty, gathered together at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in an historic meeting sponsored by the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU).  The luncheon meeting marked the first occasion that these Jewish and Muslim leaders had come together for a shared dialogue to promote understanding between the two communities.  http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/beyond-dialogue-an-unprecedented-jewish-muslim-gathering-at-the-holocaust-m/0019061  The group is also meeting with Reps. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) and Andre Carson (R-Ind.), who are Muslim, and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), who is Jewish http://www.timesofisrael.com/latin-american-rabbis-imams-visit-dc/

— ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid and ISNA Director of Community Outreach Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi met with high-ranking religious authorities and scholars in Morocco and Tunisia to discuss the rights of religious minorities in Muslim-majority countries across the globe.  Working in consultation with these authorities, they presented the idea of developing Islamic standards and protocols to guarantee equal participation of various religious groups in Muslim-majority countries.  http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/isna-works-with-authorities-in-n.-africa-to-develop-protocols-to-protect-re/0019054

— Imam Yahya Hendi, President of Clergy Beyond Borders condemned the statement by a Palestinian Authority religious leader encouraging the killing of Jews by Muslims.

— 50 Faith-Based Groups including the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) Join Legal Brief Urging Supreme Court to Overturn Arizona’s Anti-Immigrant Law

—  Claremont Lincoln University, the University of Southern California’s Office of Religious Life, the Islamic Society of North America, and the Center for Global Peacebuilding at Claremont Lincoln University are co-sponsoring a conference on Muslim perspectives on peacebuilding to be held October 12-13, 2012 at Claremont Lincoln University in California.

— Iran’s Ahl al-Bait World Assembly condemned a recent fatwa (or religious decree) issued by Saudi Arabia’s top religious official who has called for the “destruction of all churches on the Arabian Peninsula”.

— A large Sacramento Christian congregation soon to be without a home will celebrate Easter at the Salam Mosque.  Spiritual Life Center of Sacramento, whose lease expires March 31 at a downtown church, will be conducting Easter services at the Sacramento Area League of Muslims (SALAM) property near American River College.  “Everything is a go,” said the Rev. Michael Moran. “SALAM has been so gracious. I’m really touched by their hospitality.”

— The Islamic Shura Council of Southern California has launched a Muslims Going Green Project to encourage recycling and environmental efforts.

— Muslim and Jewish students from NYU joined together to lend their hands to recovery efforts for victims of the tornado in Birmingham. There, they joined with local Muslim volunteers from the Birmingham Islamic Society and ICNA Relief USA.  The students from Bridges—Muslim Jewish Interfaith Dialogue at NY0055, partnered with the New York-based Jewish Disaster Response Corps and ICNA Relief USA to participate in Habitat for Humanity’s rebuilding efforts. Accompanying the students were Imam Khalid Latif and Rabbi Yehuda Sarna.

— The Inner City Muslim Action League on the Southside of Chicago has as [url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57401225/making-hope-amid-violence-in-chicagos-southside/]its goal[/url\ to inspire people to connect with others of different ethnicities and faiths.  Their free medical clinic is celebrating 15-years of service to the community. 

— Atlanta, Georgia Muslim Volunteers send 25,000lbs of food to Somalia in conjunction with Helping Hands charity.

— Green Muslims in Washington DC is volunteering at The Farm at Walker Jones,  an emerging urban farm that serves kids, families and neighbors of Walker Jones Education Campus, a DC Public Elementary School.

— Muslim students from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for residents in south Parkesburg in West Virginia over Spring Break.

— Muslim Sisters of Dayton, Ohio are working with a number of local charities to provide volunteers for local service projects.  Their first project was to help at (Kettering Hospital), supplying knitted caps for newborn children, and they just completed a coat drive through Warm Coats and Warm Hearts, collecting 228 coats in two weeks.

—  Muslims Without Borders, the first student based relief organization, worked on a new project to get all the Project Downtown chapters from around the nation to combine their efforts, and feed their respective homeless communities during the weekend of April 13-15. 

— The HUDA Free Health Clinic opened a new office for Detroiters.  Huda clinic has been serving the community for almost a decade.

— Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faith leaders and community members are working together in North Texas to mobilize against domestic violence http://www.examiner.com/islam-in-dallas/faith-communities-mobilize-against-domestic-violence?CID=examiner_alerts_article#ixzz1rSRAMOsZ

— Emory University’s Hillel and Muslim Student Association (MSA) collaborated on their first-ever “Interfaith Art Gala” in Atlanta, Georgia.  The event featured “Standup for Peace,” the stand-up comedy show with well-known comedians Scott Blakeman and Dean Obeidalla, along with Emory student and professional artists and performers.  http://eaavesdropping.emory.edu/2012/03/24/muslim-jewish-student-groups-collaborate-on-interfaith-art-gala-sunday/

— Jewish and Muslim cub scouts competed together as they raced their homemade wooden cars down two tracks during their Interfaith Pinewood Derby in Washington, DC.  The event was sponsored jointly by the Jewish Committee on Scouting and the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS). Scouts from 13 different packs and differing faiths participated.  http://washingtonjewishweek.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=16954

— The Interfaith Moral Action on Climate Change (IMAC) brought together a unique alliance to raise a prophetic cry in the name of God’s creation.  On April 24th of Earth Week, IMAC created an inspirational and prophetic presence in the streets, sanctuaries and halls of Congress. They held a Sunrise Service at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument and the “Cry of the Earth: A Service for Healing the Climate” at the historic New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, followed by a procession to the Congress and serious discussions with their representatives. The group included representatives from the Evangelical church, the African American church, the NAACP, Jews, Muslims, Native Americans and others.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/father-paul-mayer/religion-climate-change_b_1401669.html

— The Islamic Society of Annapolis is participating with the Chesapeake Interfaith Environmental Group to take the message of “creation care” to the masses.  They prepared a joint letter to lawmakers to support wind power legislation, and have plans for many activities.  http://www.bayjournal.com/article.cfm?article=4322

— Jews, Christians, and Muslims in North New Jersey held an Abraham’s dialogue to promote neighborliness.  There were presentations on “What is Neighborliness and Being a Good Neighbor” by Imam Mohammad Qatanani, Islamic Center of Passaic County, Guillermo Lopez-Acosta, commissioned lay pastor at Ridgefield Park Presbyterian Church and Wharton United Community Church, and Rabbi Adler.  The Multi-faith Peace and Justice Alliance (MPJA), which was instrumental in bringing together the interfaith members, and they are planning a conference on partnering to eliminate poverty.  http://www.northjersey.com/community/announcements/143928286_Rockaway_borough_Jews__Christians__Muslims_meet_to_promote_neighborliness.html

— More than 150 clergy and laity of Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and other faiths gathered at the Building Bridges Coalition of Staten Island to attend an interfaith Seder.  Rabbi Sussman announced that Albanian Muslims will be honored at the 19th annual Yom Hashoah-Holocaust Commemoration Program for the Staten Island Jewish Community on April 19 at 7 p.m. in the Arden Heights Boulevard Jewish Center.  http://www.silive.com/worship/2012/03/interfaith_seder_draws_a_crowd.html 

— The ADAMS Center in Virginia hosted an interfaith Seder http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2012/apr/18/adams-hosts-interfaith-seder/

— MPAC hosted a forum on protecting the rights of minorities in Muslim majority countries.  http://www.mpac.org/events/mpac-forum-minority-rights-in-muslim-countries.php

— An interfaith rock group has been formed in Maryland.  Interfaith Rocks features Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist and Jewish members.  The goal is to foster understanding between the different faiths, but the musicians are too busy rehearsing to spend time discussing the intricacies of their religions.  http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-03-10/features/bs-gl-goodworks-0311-20120310_1_band-members-faiths-frederick-county 

— Dr. Malika Haque was named a finalist in the annual Jefferson Awards for community service in Dublin, Ohio.  A longtime Nationwide Children’s Hospital doctor, Haque helped open the Noor Community Free Clinic to serve the uninsured in central Ohio.  http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/dublin/news/2012/03/20/local-women-recognized-for-volunteer-efforts.html

— Sarwat Husain, Vice-Chair of the National Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR),  received the Texas Pax Christi Peacemaker of the Year Award from Karen Ball, President of Pax Christi San Antonio.  http://paxchristitexas.org/2012/04/01/pax-christi-texas-2012-peacemaker-award/

— Muslim and Jewish Students at USC participated in a Skid Row food distribution and clean-up, Mosque and Synagogue visits,
and lunch at Pershing Square. This event is part of the “twinning” initiative to bring Muslim and Jewish students together in dialogue and service.  Sponsored by Ansar Service Partnership and USC Hillel. http://interfaithchallenge.usc.edu/projects/march-4-2012-jewish-muslim-day-of-service/

— Interfaith leaders join Muslims in opposition to NYPD surveillance tactics in New Jersey http://www.pewforum.org/Religion-News/Interfaith-leaders-join-Muslims-in-opposition-to-NYPD-surveillance-tactics-in-New-Jersey.aspx

— The leader of a New Jersey mosque that was listed in a secret NYPD surveillance report is using the incident to try and recruit new members and promote a more positive view of Muslims.  Imam Mustafa El-Amin, of Masjid Ibrahim in Newark, ran an advertisement Thursday in The Star-Ledger newspaper urging people to read the Quran, denouncing terrorism and emphasizing that his mosque has an “open door” policy.  Under a bold-letter headline that states: “NYPD Surveillance of Muslim Community,” the ad says there’s no need for the New York Police Department or any other agency to conduct secret surveillance of the mosque, because “We have nothing to hide. Our doors are open.” El-Amin says he came up with the idea after reflecting on a phrase in the Quran — “With every difficulty, there is relief” — and realizing that finding a positive, teachable moment out of a negative experience is a concept deeply rooted in Islam.  “We’ve heard a lot about the negative effects, but once you get this level of exposure, one of the best things about it is, if you’re positive, than the positive will win out,” he said.  http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/ap/nation/newark-mosque-uses-nypd-surveillance-in-ad-campaign/article_45ae5cce-aa8c-5b94-9109-4535fbc26430.html

— The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is working with the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT)  http://www.isna.net/articles/News/Help-Put-an-End-to-Torture-in-US-Prisons-Today.aspx

— The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is working to promote affordable housing and support independent and sustainable communities, ISNA has joined a coalition of more than 1,700 organizations to protect funding to affordable housing and community development projects.  http://www.isna.net/articles/News/Contact-Congress-to-Help-Protect-Funding-for—————Affordable-Housing-and-Community-Dev.aspx

— Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills and King Fahad Mosque of Culver City have committed their communities to reaching across what is often seen as an impassible divide between Muslims and Jews. Ten members from each congregation are participating in a four-month fellowship designed to build lasting relationships, break down stereotypes and equip people with the skills to take the experience back to their larger communities.  These 20 fellows make up the fourth fellowship cohort of NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change. Since 2006, NewGround has developed leaders and created opportunities for Muslims and Jews in Los Angeles to dispel the perception that our communities are natural adversaries by making strong, positive relations between Muslims and Jews the norm, not the exception.  http://www.jewishjournal.com/opinion/article/opinion_las_muslims_jews_must_join_against_hate_20120404/

— Approximately 200 Harvard University students attended the Second Annual Freedom Seder which was hosted by the Black Law Students Association and the Jewish Law Students Association. African Law Association, Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, Christian Fellowship, La Alianza, Lambda, Latter-day Saints Student Association, Native American Law Students Association, Muslim Law Students Association, South Asian Law Students Association and Women’s Law Association participated in the event.  http://hlrecord.org/?p=14081

— A Richardson, Texas mosque (IANT) hosted a new disaster assistance training session where volunteers signed up to train in individual and group crisis intervention. The event is part of a year-round program by Islamic Relief USA that empowers local communities with tools and resources to help during disasters.  http://www.examiner.com/article/muslims-join-disaster-relief-efforts-the-wake-of-dallas-tornadoes

— Muslim Alliance of Indiana launches a Hunger Initiative to aid local community http://www.indianamuslims.org/serving-with-second-helpings/

— Muslim Keyholder of Church of Holy Sepulchre Opens it for Easter Pilgrims http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/muslim-keyholder-of-church-of-holy-sepulchre-opens-it-for-easter-pilgrims/0019072

— Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world for 2012 includes a number of Muslims, among them:  Samira Ibrahim, womens rights activist of Egypt.  Iftikhar Choudary ,lawyer and civil rights activist of Pakistan. Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani, peacemaker of Qatar.  Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, filmaker of Pakistan.  Ali Babacan and Ahmet Davutoglu, economist and foreign policy analyst of Turkey.  Asghar Farhadi, filmaker of Iran.  Rached Ghannouchi, politician of Tunisia.  Manal al Sharif women’s rights activist of Saudi Arabia.  Salman Khan, educator of the U.S.

—On Sunday, April 15, the Muslim Public Affairs Council brought together a panel of scholars and human rights advocates to discuss the realities of religious minorities in Muslim-majority countries.  http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/experts-expose-realities-of-religious-minorities-in-muslim-majority-countri/0019081

— Local Muslims from Tampa city, Florida held their annual charity festival on Sunday, April 15 to help fellow citizens in need http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/456636-muslims-serve-florida-vulnerable.html

— ISNA Is Working with Religious Authorities in N. Africa to Develop Protocols to Protect Religious Minorities http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/isna-works-with-religious-authorities-in-n.-africa-to-develop-protocols-to/0019086

— Green Khutbah event at mosques across North America to mark Earth Day http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/green-khutbah-across-north-america-to-mark-earth-day/0019085

— Native Deen released a new music video “Our Earth” to mark Earth Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5axaigfMgu8&feature=youtu.be

— American Islamic Wellness Association staffs the Amal clinic at Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic in Providence. The group, whose cofounders include Ahmed, aims to provide health care to the uninsured population of Rhode Island.  http://www.browndailyherald.com/news/city-state/islamic-health-association-reaches-out-to-uninsured-1.2715889

— The Associated Press (AP) won a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting for documenting the New York Police Department’s widespread spying on Muslims. http://en.islamtoday.net/artshow-230-4443.htm

— Sisters in Islam (SIS) has received the Casa Asia Award in recognition of its efforts in promoting women’s and human rights within Islam. http://www.fnfasia.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1530:sisters-in-islam-awarded-recognition-in-spain&catid=3:latest-news

— Veteran Toronto Star columnist Haroon Siddiqui has been named as one of the first recipients of Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, created to honour the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne.  http://muslimmedianetwork.com/mmn/?p=9964

— The Islamic Center of Middle Georgia are setting up a free health clinic and will be hosting a free health fair, as a way to jumpstart their clinic.  http://www.41nbc.com/news/local-news/10622-keeping-the-faith-middle-georgia-muslims-eager-to-provide-free-health-clinic-for-neighbors

— Shaykha Fest being held in New Jersey to honor the legacy of female Islamic scholarship and draw attention to contemporary female scholars. At Shaykha Fest we will embark on an exciting journey into the past and learn from contemporary female scholars, thinkers and activists from around the world in a nurturing, non-cultural and inclusive atmosphere.  http://alrawiya.org/shaykhafest/

— Canadian fatwa in response to Shafia trial condemns ‘honour killings’.  The official decree was made in a Mississauga, Ont., mosque and was initiated by Calgary imam Syed Soharwardy, who founded the council. The fatwa condemns honour killings, domestic violence and misogyny as “un-Islamic.”  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/02/04/toronto-fatwa-honour-killing-violence.html

— Philadelphia Muslims offer $20,000 reward for information on criminals wearing burkas http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/25/11391852-philadelphia-muslims-offer-20000-reward-to-find-criminals-wearing-islamic-garb

— Lebanese Maronite Catholic Patriarch Bechara Rai shared an interfaith message with Muslims at the Islamic Center of America in Detroit http://www.freep.com/article/20120515/NEWS05/205150364/Spiritual-leader-brings-message-of-unity-to-metro-Detroit?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs  and http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/index.php?mod=article&cat=Community&article=5611

— Islamic Center of America celebrates 50 years, realization of founding imam’s vision http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/index.php?mod=article&cat=Community&article=5620

— Muslim doctors open free clinic in Ballwin, Missouri http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?ArticleID=26918&&mid1=676&&currPage=1

— A Philadelphia businessman, S.A. Ibrahim, is poised to become the first Muslim to serve on the Anti-Defamation League’s regional board—or any ADL board for that matter.  http://www.jewishexponent.com/article/25840/Building_Peace_Between_Faiths/

— MPAC honored the film “Kinyarwanda” at its 21st Annual MPAC Media Awards on May 13.  Thefilm takes place during the Rwandan genocide in 1994, when several heroes emerged to remind people of their humanity. Among them was the Mufti of Rwanda, who exemplified religious leadership and peacemaking, by declaring a fatwa during this time of war that Muslims could not kill any Tutsis. This command flew in the face of the notion that religion starts conflicts.  http://www.mpac.org/programs/hollywood-bureau/courage-and-forgiveness-shine-through-the-horror-of-genocide-in-kinyarwanda.php