Sex abuse scandal overshadows Pope’s British trip

ROME – Virtually on the eve of Pope Benedict XVI’s state visit to Britain, a dossier issued in Belgium has suggested more than 300 cases of child sexual abuse by clergy — a fresh and grim reminder of the widespread scandal that has severely tarnished the Catholic Church’s reputation over the past year.

And as with … Read more >>.

Rushdie supports mosque plans near Ground Zero

LONDON – Renowned author Salman Rushdie has reportedly expressed his support for plans to build a mosque close to Ground Zero in New York, 21 years after an Islamic leader issued a fatwa calling for his death.

Rushdie sparked outrage in 1988 with the release of his book “The Satanic Verses”, which then Supreme Leader of …. Source  : Rushdie supports mosque plans near Ground Zero.

US man claims miracle through Newman, prompts 19th century cardinal’s beatification by pope

US man’s healing prompts Newman’s beatification

MARSHFIELD, Massachusetts – The pain overwhelmed every drug Jack Sullivan’s doctors gave him to fight it, coursing through his back in vicious bursts that made sleep impossible.
The aspiring Roman Catholic deacon had hoped for a quick recovery from spinal surgery to keep his ordination on track. But five days later, …. Source  : US man claims miracle through Newman, prompts 19th century cardinal’s beatification by pope.

Pope urges vigilance on biotechnology

Vatican City, Sep 14 (IANS/AKI) Pope Benedict XVI has said that leaps in scientific capabilities have put humanity in a precarious situation that can lead to a wounding of human “integrity and dignity”.

“We have the duty to diligently study up to what point these methods can help humans and where they amount to a manipulation … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pope urges vigilance on biotechnology.

Conn. Muslims ask for equality after Hartford City Council nixes Islamic prayer before meeting

Conn. Muslims ask for equality from city council

HARTFORD, Conn. – The Hartford City Council’s decision to replace a scheduled Islamic prayer with an interfaith moment of silence before its meeting sends the wrong message to Connecticut’s Islamic community, Muslim leaders said.
Mongi Dhaouadi, executive director of the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said …. Original source  : Conn. Muslims ask for equality after Hartford City Council nixes Islamic prayer before meeting.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair receives Liberty Medal at Philadelphia ceremony

Former British PM Tony Blair gets Liberty Medal
PHILADELPHIA – Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair received the Liberty Medal on Monday for his global human rights work and commitment to international conflict resolution.
The Philadelphia-based National Constitution Center gives the medal annually to individuals or organizations whose actions strive to bring liberty to people …. Read the original article  : Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair receives Liberty Medal at Philadelphia ceremony.

US files religious discrimination suit against Calif. city for denying Buddhist center permit

US sues Calif. city for denying Buddhist permit

LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Justice Department has filed a religious discrimination lawsuit against the Southern California city of Walnut, claiming it unfairly denied a permit to a group seeking to build and run a Buddhist center.
The lawsuit filed Monday in Los Angeles seeks a court order saying …. Original article  : US files religious discrimination suit against Calif. city for denying Buddhist center permit.

Salman Rushdie defends Muslims’ right to build community center, mosque near ground zero

Rushdie defends Muslims’ right to build NYC mosque

NEW YORK – “The Satanic Verses” author Salman Rushdie is not a great fan of organized worship but believes an Islamic center and mosque should be permitted two blocks from ground zero.
Rushdie’s satirical novel led in the 1980s to worldwide riots by Muslims and calls for his death. …. Source article  : Salman Rushdie defends Muslims’ right to build community center, mosque near ground zero.

With strip club and betting parlor also nearby, imam says, NYC mosque site not hallowed

Imam says NYC mosque site is not ‘hallowed ground’

NEW YORK – It is two blocks from ground zero, but the site of a proposed mosque and Islamic center shouldn’t be seen as “hallowed ground” in a neighborhood that also contains a strip club and a betting parlor, the cleric leading the effort said Monday.
Making an …. Original source  : With strip club and betting parlor also nearby, imam says, NYC mosque site not hallowed.

Lawyer says family of detained American appealing to Iran to drop $500,000 bail

Family of jailed American in Iran fights bail

TEHRAN, Iran – The family of an American woman detained in Iran for more than a year is appealing to authorities to drop a $500,000 bail for her release because they cannot afford it, her lawyer said Monday.
Masoud Shafiei told The Associated Press that Swiss diplomats acting on … Read more »»».

Lawyer: Family of detained American appeal to Iran to drop $500,000 bail demand

Lawyer: Family of jailed American appeal Iran bail

TEHRAN, Iran – The lawyer for an American woman detained in Iran says her family is appealing to authorities to drop a demand for $500,000 bail in exchange for her release because it cannot afford the amount.
Masoud Shafiei tells The Associated Press he is aware that Swiss diplomats …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Maine newspaper apologizes for coverage of Ramadan on 9/11 without mention of terror attacks

Maine paper apologizes for 9/11 Ramadan coverage

PORTLAND, Maine – The publisher of a Maine newspaper has apologized for giving Page One coverage to the end of Ramadan on Sept. 11 without mention of the ninth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Saturday’s print edition of The Portland Press Herald featured a front-page photo of Muslims praying … Original source on Gaea Times at : Maine newspaper apologizes for coverage of Ramadan on 9/11 without mention of terror attacks.

Turks step closer to EU with referendum vote, but membership is still a glimmer

Turkey: nation on a dual course
ISTANBUL – Turks took a step closer to Europe by voting for constitutional changes aimed at bringing the country into line with European standards of democracy. Yet it was also a massive show of confidence in an Islamic-rooted government whose closer ties with Iran and hostility toward Israel have caused … Original source on Gaea Times at : Turks step closer to EU with referendum vote, but membership is still a glimmer.

Imam says resolution to debate on proposed location of NYC mosque is in the works

Imam says resolution to NYC mosque debate in works

NEW YORK – The imam leading the effort to build an Islamic center and mosque near the World Trade Center site said Monday that a resolution to the raging debate over its location is being examined.
“We are exploring all options as we speak right now, and we …. Source article  : Imam says resolution to debate on proposed location of NYC mosque is in the works.

Hartford council cites negative feedback in deciding against Muslim prayer before meetings

Hartford says no to Muslim prayer before meetings

HARTFORD, Conn. – Officials in Connecticut’s capital city say they won’t include Muslim prayers before council meetings after getting mostly negative feedback from the public.
The reversal has led the state branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations to plan a prayer vigil Monday night at Hartford City Hall …. Original article  : Hartford council cites negative feedback in deciding against Muslim prayer before meetings.

Imam: Proposed site for Islamic center near ground zero is not ‘hallowed ground’

Imam: NYC mosque site is not ‘hallowed ground’

NEW YORK – The imam leading the effort to build an Islamic community center and mosque near ground zero says there is a “misperception” that the proposed site is sacred ground.
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said Monday that the location where the center would be built, two blocks from [..] Read the original article: here.

Imam vows to go ahead with Ground Zero mosque

NEW YORK – The imam behind the controversial planned Islamic cultural centre close to the site of the destroyed World Trade Center vowed Monday to press ahead with the project.

Speaking at a press conference in New York, Faisal Abdul Rauf said: “Is it worth all this firestorm? The answer is a categorical yes. Why? Because …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Imam vows to go ahead with Ground Zero mosque.

Jammu Muslims protest Quran desecration in US

JAMMU – Muslims Monday held protests across Jammu region following reports of the Quran being desecrated in the US.

Massive protests were held in Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri and Poonch after reports appeared on Iran-based Press TV that the holy book “had been burnt” by a priest in the US.
Protests turned violent in …. Original source  : Jammu Muslims protest Quran desecration in US.

US condemns violence in Kashmir, Punjab

NEW DELHI – The United States Monday said it was “dismayed” by reports that a school and a church in Kashmir and Punjab had been attacked by rioters. It also condemned reports that a “misguided individual” in the US had desecrated the Quran, terming it “disrespectful, intolerant, divisive, and un-representative of American values”.

“The deliberate …. Source  : US condemns violence in Kashmir, Punjab.

Iran bail offer for American detainee stirs conservative backlash

Iran bail decision on American stirs backlash

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran’s internal battles over the handling of American detainee Sarah Shourd flared again Monday as the mouthpiece of the powerful Revolutionary Guard led the backlash against a decision to free her on $500,000 bail.
The criticism by Guard-linked Fars news agency and others – including one lawmaker … Read more »».