Interfaith group protests ad that says 'Support Israel. Defeat Jihad'

Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders gathered in New York to protest advertisements that claim "Support Israel. Defeat Jihad" smattered across 10 city subways stations Monday and to debut a counter-ad that is due up in the same stations at the end of the week, according to the interfaith group.

"I am Muslim," explained Adem Carroll of the Muslim progressive traditionalist alliance on the steps of New York City's City Hall. "On a personal note, when I ride the subway and see messages smeared that demean me, I am scared.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/25/interfaith-group-protests-ad-that-says-support-israel-defeat-jihad/

World Muslim group demands laws against “Islamophobia”

GENEVA: The world’s largest Islamic body called on Tuesday for expressions of “Islamophobia” to be curbed by law, just as some countries restrict anti-Semitic speech or Holocaust denial.

Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the 56 countries that form the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), condemned a video made in the United States that defamed Islam and the Prophet Mohammad, igniting Muslim protests around the world this month.

“Incidents like this clearly demonstrate the urgent need on the part of states to introduce adequate protection against acts of hate crimes, hate speech, discrimination, intimidation and coercion resulting from defamation and negative stereotyping of religions, and incitement to religious hatred, as well as denigration of venerated personalities,” Pakistan’s ambassador Zamir Akram said in a speech to the UN Human Rights Council.

http://dawn.com/2012/09/25/world-muslim-group-demands-laws-against-islamophobia/

Merkel: Islam is part of Germany

Angela Merkel has said Islam has become a part of Germany and is urging her fellow citizens to show tolerance for Muslims.

The Chancellor told members of her conservative Christian Democratic party that the great majority of Muslims in Germany had distanced themselves from the recent violence during protests against an anti-Islam video that ridiculed the Prophet Muhammad.

Ms Merkel said Germans "should be open about it (Islam) and say, 'Yes, it's part of us'." She added that Christians should perhaps start thinking and talking more about their own religion again, "rather than having fear of Islam".

http://www.islamophobia-watch.com/islamophobia-watch/2012/9/27/merkel-islam-is-part-of-germany.html

Jesus Christ Superstar dropped in Russia church row

A theatre in the south Russian city of Rostov has dropped a production of Jesus Christ Superstar after protests by Orthodox Christians.

A Russian company was due to stage the Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera at the Rostov Philharmonic next month.

Protesters had complained the opera projected the "wrong" image of Christ.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19769034