Mabda Report 11/03/12

St. Petersburg Peace Council Makes Plans for the Year

A regular session of the Northwest Russia Peace Council with participation of Ambassadors for Peace took place in St. Petersburg on March 3. A report about the recent Religious Youth Service project “St. Petersburg as a city of Interreligious Harmony” was presented to the audience.

At the beginning, the participants were informed that in 2010 the UN General Assembly proclaimed the first week of February as the annual World Interfaith Harmony Week. In this connection, Konstantin Krylov, Secretary General of UPF-Russia, shared about how the week was observed in other nations.

http://upf.org/upf-news/144-europe-eurasia-/4274-st-petersburg-peace-council-makes-plans-for-the-year

FiFA To Test Hijabs For Female Muslim Players

Muslim female soccer players are celebrating a decision by the International Football Association Board to allow them to test specially designed head coverings for four months.

Iran's women's soccer team was banned from this summer's 2012 Olympic Games in London after players appeared with headscarves before a match against Jordan last year. Later, Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, who is also vice president of FIFA, started pushing to lift the ban.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/fifa-hijab-female-muslim-player_n_1322587.html?ref=islam

Interfaith Alliance calls on Florida State Legislators to Oppose Anti-Sharia Legislation

Interfaith Alliance today announced its opposition to legislation currently before the Florida State Senate, already passed by the Florida State House, that would prevent ban the use of foreign law in courts including Sharia, Islamic law. The organization has been a leader in efforts combat anti-Muslim bigotry, prevent this kind of unnecessary legislation and to create respect and understanding between people of all faiths and beliefs.

http://brazilbusiness.einnews.com/pr_news/84592034/interfaith-alliance-calls-on-florida-state-legislators-to-oppose-anti-sharia-legislation

Faith Inspires: The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development

This week's Faith Inspires highlights the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD), a Jerusalem-based organization of inter-religious leaders who promote environmental consciousness and responsibility together. Through their Seminary Students Sustainability Program, Muslim, Christian and Jewish students learn side-by-side about sustainability and co-existence. The organization leads "eco-tourism" trips throughout the Holy Land.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/09/faith-inspires-interfaith-center-for-sustainable-development_n_1334992.html?ref=islam