Every night lights: Mich. football team practices at night for Muslim players during Ramadan

Holy month, hot days mean football nights in Mich.

DEARBORN, Mich. – Illuminated by the night lights on the football field, Adnan Restum joined a scrum of teammates at the end-zone water fountain, taking a break from a grueling preseason football workout to guzzle a drink.
In just a few hours, he wouldn’t be able to take … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Every night lights: Mich. football team practices at night for Muslim players during Ramadan.

Backing Muslims’ right to build centre not an endorsement: Obama

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama has clarified that his defence of Muslims’ right to build an Islamic complex near New York’s Ground Zero site of 9/11 attack was not an endorsement of the controversial proposal that has drawn flak from both Republicans and Democrats.

Speaking to reporters during a family vacation visit to Panama … Read : Backing Muslims’ right to build centre not an endorsement: Obama.

Religious minorities in Indonesia pushing back against Islamic hard-liners, violence

Religious minorities in Indonesia push back

BEKASI, Indonesia – Tired of government inaction, Christians and other religious minorities in Indonesia are pushing back against rising violence by Islamic hard-liners.
For months, Christians in the industrial city of Bekasi have been warned against worshipping on a field that houses their shuttered church. They’ve arrived to find human feces …. Original source  : Religious minorities in Indonesia pushing back against Islamic hard-liners, violence.

Israel says it will not accept any Palestinian conditions for resuming peace negotiations

Israel: No conditions for talks with Palestinians

RAMALLAH, West Bank – Israel will not accept conditions for resuming direct negotiations with the Palestinians, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top Cabinet ministers affirmed in a meeting late Sunday, reflecting a hard line just as invitations to the talks appeared to be near.
The Palestinians want the framework and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Israel says it will not accept any Palestinian conditions for resuming peace negotiations.

Backing right to build mosque not endorsement: Obama

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama has clarified that his defence of Muslims’ right to build an Islamic complex near New York’s Ground Zero site of 9/11 attack, was not an endorsement of the controversial proposal.

Speaking to reporters during a family vacation visit to Panama City, Florida, Obama reiterated the stand he took Friday … Original article on : Backing right to build mosque not endorsement: Obama.

Detroit’s Bishop Charles Ellis named to head 1.5 million-member Pentecostal Assemblies

Detroit Bishop Ellis heads Pentecostal Assemblies

DETROIT – The 1.3 million-member Pentecostal Assemblies of the World movement has chosen Detroit’s Bishop Charles H. Ellis III as its presiding bishop.
Ellis is pastor of Greater Grace Temple. The 104-year-old Indianapolis-based denomination installed him last week at its convention in Minneapolis.
He served two terms as assistant presiding bishop.
Ellis became …. Original article  : Detroit’s Bishop Charles Ellis named to head 1.5 million-member Pentecostal Assemblies.

In sign of West Bank calm, Israel dismantles protective concrete barrier in Jerusalem

In sign of calm, Israel removes gunfire barrier

RAMALLAH, West Bank – Israeli army cranes on Sunday began removing a concrete barrier that shielded a Jewish neighborhood bordering the West Bank from gunfire – a sign that calm is taking hold in the Palestinian territory.
The Israeli military erected the 600-yard (meter) concrete barrier nine years ago …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : In sign of West Bank calm, Israel dismantles protective concrete barrier in Jerusalem.

GOP senator suggests Obama remarks on mosque in NY will be considered by voters this fall

GOP senator suggests mosque will be election issue
WASHINGTON – A Republican senator is suggesting there could be political fallout from President Barack Obama’s remarks about building a mosque near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City.
Texas Sen. John Cornyn (KOHR’-nihn) says Obama is “disconnected from mainstream America” and that …. Original source  : GOP senator suggests Obama remarks on mosque in NY will be considered by voters this fall.

30,000 evacuated from Catholic pilgrimage site at Lourdes in France after bomb threat

Pilgrims evacuated after bomb threat at Lourdes

PARIS – Thousands of people, many disabled or ailing, were evacuated Sunday from the shrine at Lourdes in southern France after a bomb threat on the Catholic holy day of Assumption. The pilgrims returned after explosives experts scoured the area.
Some 30,000 pilgrims were at the site, whose spring water … Original source on Gaea Times at : 30,000 evacuated from Catholic pilgrimage site at Lourdes in France after bomb threat.