UK says Catholic adoption charity that refused to help gay couples must change its policy

UK: Adoption charity can’t ban gay couples

LONDON – Britain’s charity regulator says a Catholic adoption advisory service that refuses to help gay couples has lost an appeal against a ban on its policy.
Catholic Care, a charity in Leeds, northern England, had argued that as a religious group it should be allowed to offer its adoption-support … Read more : UK says Catholic adoption charity that refused to help gay couples must change its policy.

PM greets nation on Parsi New Year

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday greeted the Parsi community on their new year and hoped Navroz would usher in prosperity to all Parsis and the nation.

In his message, the prime minster said Navroz is the most important part of the Gahambar celebration of nature and the seasons, a festival dedicated to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : PM greets nation on Parsi New Year.

NY Democrats silent or shying away from Obama’s stance on mosque construction near ground zero

Mosque debate divides Democrats, especially in NY
NEW YORK – As vulnerable congressional Democrats weigh how to respond to President Barack Obama’s statements on Muslims’ right to build a mosque near ground zero, those in New York and closest to the controversy are staying silent or scrambling away.
Democrats control both Senate seats and 27 …. Read the original article  : here.

1 in 5 Americans thinks Obama is a Muslim

WASHINGTON – As many as one in five Americans think wrongly that President Barack Obama is a Muslim, indicating a significant increase in the number of such people since his inauguration in January 2009.

At the same time, the number of people who now correctly identify Obama as a Christian has dropped to 34 percent, down … Read more >>>.

Poll: 1 in 5 incorrectly say Obama is a Muslim as president’s religion remains mystery to many

Poll: Growing number incorrectly call Obama Muslim
WASHINGTON – Americans increasingly are convinced – incorrectly – that President Barack Obama is a Muslim, and a growing number are thoroughly confused about his religion.
Nearly one in five people, or 18 percent, said they think Obama is Muslim, up from the …. Original article  : Poll: 1 in 5 incorrectly say Obama is a Muslim as president’s religion remains mystery to many.

Florida city denies permit to a church for planned Quran book burning on Sept. 11 anniversary

Fla. city denies permit for 9/11 Quran burning

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Officials in a Florida city have denied a burn permit for a church that is seeking to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11.
Interim Fire Chief Gene Prince said Wednesday that the open burning of books is not allowed under Gainesville’s burning ordinance.
The Dove … Original article on : Florida city denies permit to a church for planned Quran book burning on Sept. 11 anniversary.

Appeals court says Utah’s memorial highway crosses are unconstitutional

Appeals court rules against Utah memorial crosses

SALT LAKE CITY – The 14 crosses erected along Utah roads to commemorate fallen state Highway Patrol troopers convey a state preference for Christianity and are a violation of the U.S. Constitution, a federal appeals court said Wednesday.
The ruling reverses a 2007 decision by a federal district judge that … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Appeals court says Utah’s memorial highway crosses are unconstitutional.

Muslim employee claims Disneyland banned her from wearing head scarf in front of customers

Muslim employee: Disney banned her head scarf

ANAHEIM, Calif. – A Muslim woman who works as a hostess at a Disneyland restaurant alleged Wednesday the theme park would not allow her to appear in front of customers while wearing her head scarf.
Imane Boudlal, 26, appeared outside the resort’s Grand Californian Hotel after filing a complaint with … Read : Muslim employee claims Disneyland banned her from wearing head scarf in front of customers.

Mideast tour for imam of proposed mosque near ground zero to cost taxpayers $16,000

US spending $16,000 for imam’s Mideast tour

WASHINGTON – American taxpayers will pay the imam behind plans for a mosque near the Manhattan site of the Sept. 11 attacks $3,000 in fees for a three-nation outreach trip to the Middle East that will cost roughly $16,000, the State Department said Wednesday.
The department said Imam Feisal Abdul … Read more >>>.

Is it good for the Muslims? Some US Muslims say ‘no’ to proposed mosque near ground zero

Some Muslims question mosque near ground zero

NEW YORK – American Muslims who support the proposed mosque and Islamic center near ground zero are facing skeptics within their own faith – those who argue that the project is insensitive to Sept. 11 victims and needlessly provocative at a time when Muslims are pressing for wider acceptance …. Source article  : Is it good for the Muslims? Some US Muslims say ‘no’ to proposed mosque near ground zero.

The other ground zero: Muslims have been praying quietly for years at Pentagon crash site

Muslims pray daily at Pentagon’s 9/11 crash site
WASHINGTON – While Americans are bitterly debating the proposed building of a mosque near New York’s ground zero, Muslims have been praying for years less than 80 feet from where another hijacked jetliner struck.
The Pentagon chapel is part of … Read more : The other ground zero: Muslims have been praying quietly for years at Pentagon crash site.

Moroccan protesters suspend blockade of Spanish enclave after halting food deliveries

Morocco border blockade of Spain enclave suspended

MELILLA, Spain – Activists in Morocco who have twice blockaded food shipments into a Spanish enclave in the last week to protest alleged abuses by border police agreed Wednesday to suspend their demonstrations until September, when the holy Islamic month of Ramadan ends, a merchants association said.
The deal means … Read more >>.

Pelosi wants to know who is funding opponents of proposed Islamic center near ground zero

Pelosi asks: Who is funding opponents of mosque?

WASHINGTON – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she wants to look into who is funding the opposition to a proposed Islamic center near the site of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York.
The California Democrat on Wednesday said Muslim leaders have the right to build a proposed … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pelosi wants to know who is funding opponents of proposed Islamic center near ground zero.

Obama says he has ‘no regrets’ over his comments on controversial mosque near ground zero

Obama: ‘No regrets’ over comments on NYC mosque
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Despite criticism from Republicans and others, President Barack Obama said Wednesday he has “no regrets” over the comments he made about the right of Muslims to build an Islamic center near the former site of the World Trade Center in New … Read more >>>.

Hindu seer opposes hydro projects on Ganga

BHUBANESWAR – Puri Shankaracharya Nishchalanand Saraswati has opposed a move by Uttarakhand to build hydropower projects across the Ganga, describing it as an attempt to destroy the sacred river.

Saraswati Wednesday demanded an immediate stop to the ongoing and upcoming projects, and said that in place of building such projects, Uttarakhand should try to tap alternative …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Hindu seer opposes hydro projects on Ganga.

Abu Dhabi gives 1,000 motorists iftar meals daily

Abu Dhabi, Aug 18 (IANS/WAM) Around 1,000 motorists travelling across Abu Dhabi are being served iftar meals daily to create awareness in the Emirates during the holy month on wastage of food.

A charity organisation – Centre of Preservation of Grace – is distributing the food.
“The humanitarian initiative is being carried out through fuelling stations,” … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Abu Dhabi gives 1,000 motorists iftar meals daily.

Moroccan truckers halt fresh food shipments to Spanish enclave in north Africa

Morocco halts fresh food shipments to Spanish city

MELILLA, Spain – Truckers have halted food shipments from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Melilla as protesters accuse Spanish police of brutality and racism against Moroccans who cross into the tiny city on the North African coast.
No fish, fruits or vegetables arrived Wednesday in Melilla – forcing …. Read the original article  : Moroccan truckers halt fresh food shipments to Spanish enclave in north Africa.