Malaysian court declines Hindu widow’s appeal

KUALA LUMPUR – A Malaysian court Friday rejected the appeal of a Hindu widow to determine the religious status of her husband who was buried as a Muslim five years ago.

The Court of Appeal ruled that the Civil High Court had no jurisdiction to determine the religious status of late Sgt M. Moorthy, whose … Read more : Malaysian court declines Hindu widow’s appeal.

Obama is a Christian, says White House

WASHINGTON – A day after a poll found that one in five Americans think US President Barack Obama is a Muslim, the White House has asserted he is a Christian, who prays every day.

“President Obama is a committed Christian, and his faith is an important part of his daily life,” White House Deputy Press Secretary … Read more »»».

Coverage of US troops’ exit from Iraq illustrates stark differences in cable news networks

Coverage of Iraq exit shows networks’ differences
NEW YORK – Nowhere was the difference between the cable news networks on starker display than in prime-time coverage on the night the last American combat brigade left Iraq following a war that started seven years and five months ago.
MSNBC devoted its entire prime-time footprint … Original source on Gaea Times at : Coverage of US troops’ exit from Iraq illustrates stark differences in cable news networks.

President Obama a Muslim? Facts are not enough to stop myths from taking on lives of their own

Obama a Muslim? Rumors gain steam, defying facts

NEW YORK – “President Obama is a Muslim.” ”He’s not an American citizen.” ”He wasn’t even born here.”
None of this is true. But to surprising levels, it is believed.
Blame it on the media, or on human nature. All presidents deal with image problems – that they’re too weak …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : President Obama a Muslim? Facts are not enough to stop myths from taking on lives of their own.

Obama begins summer vacation on Martha’s Vineyard

Vacation time for the president
CHILMARK, Mass. – Martha’s Vineyard is barely an hour’s flight from Washington, but it felt worlds away as President Barack Obama and his family began their summer vacation Thursday amid the island’s beaches and quaint farmhouses.
Instead of politicians and polls, the Obamas encountered pony farms and ponds. Instead …. Source  : Obama begins summer vacation on Martha’s Vineyard.

Obama and family set out for summer vacation on Martha’s Vineyard

R&R time for Obamas on Martha’s Vineyard
VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. – Fleeing the heat and headaches of the capital, President Barack Obama arrived on Martha’s Vineyard Thursday for a 10-day vacation – and a chance to rest up for the coming fight for control of Congress.
Obama landed at the airport on this island off … Read more : Obama and family set out for summer vacation on Martha’s Vineyard.

NY political support grows for land swap of mosque near WTC site as imam tours Mideast

Giuliani supports move of mosque near WTC site
NEW YORK – Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Thursday joined a growing number of politicians supporting a move of a proposed Islamic center and mosque near ground zero to state-owned land farther from the Sept. 11 attack site.
Giuliani, who led … Read more : NY political support grows for land swap of mosque near WTC site as imam tours Mideast.

White House says Obama is Christian, prays daily as poll shows 1 in 5 think he’s a Muslim

White House says Obama is Christian, prays daily
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is a Christian who prays daily, a White House official said Thursday, trying to tamp down growing doubts about the president’s religion.
A new poll showed that nearly one in five people, or 18 percent, believe [..] Read the original article: here.

Australia’s first female prime minister faces voter backlash at first election

Australian PM faces voter backlash at election

CANBERRA, Australia – Julia Gillard became Australia’s first female prime minister by seizing control of her party from her former boss less than two months ago and called elections weeks later – hoping to save the left-leaning government from rising voter grumbling with fresh, straight-talking leadership. It hasn’t quite …. Read the original article  : Australia’s first female prime minister faces voter backlash at first election.

US-backed Mideast tour begins for imam seeking mosque near 9-11 site

NY mosque imam in Mideast for outreach tour

MANAMA, Bahrain – The imam leading plans for an Islamic center near the Manhattan site of the Sept. 11 attacks began a U.S.-funded outreach tour of the Middle East Thursday to talk about religious tolerance in America.
The U.S. State Department said Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf arrived in Bahrain …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : US-backed Mideast tour begins for imam seeking mosque near 9-11 site.

NY governor says support growing for alternative mosque site, but decision up to developers

Paterson: Support growing for new NYC mosque site

ALBANY, N.Y. – New York Gov. David Paterson says he believes support is growing for a possible land swap to provide an alternate site for a mosque and Islamic center planned for near ground zero.
He says the developers and his staff began discussing the possibility days ago, but … Read this article on Gaea Times at : NY governor says support growing for alternative mosque site, but decision up to developers.

Australian judge orders Muslim witness to remove burqa when testifying in fraud trial

Australian judge: Woman cannot wear veil in court

PERTH, Australia – An Australian Muslim woman who sought permission to keep her face and head covered while she gives evidence at an upcoming trial was told by a judge Thursday she would have to remove her veil.
The case is the first time in Australia that a court … Original source on Gaea Times at : Australian judge orders Muslim witness to remove burqa when testifying in fraud trial.

Ganapathi seeks tourists from Pashupati’s domain

KATHMANDU – Enthused by the average Nepali’s love for visiting temples, India’s Tamil Nadu state – the land of the fabled Vathapi Ganapathi, Meenakshi and over 30,000 other temples – is targeting Nepal, the abode of the revered Pashupatinath deity, to become the most preferred destination of Nepali tourists.

The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Ganapathi seeks tourists from Pashupati’s domain.