US Muslims Stand Against Terrorism

While condemning violence and terrorism in the name of religion, Muslim leaders have urged Americans not to scapegoat the Muslim community following the Boston attacks.

"We will never allow ourselves to be hijacked by this attempt," Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) told a new conference on Friday, April 19 cited by The Washington Post.

http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/462312-us-muslims-stand-against-terrorism.html

Boston tragedy: St. Louis responds, offers interfaith prayers at local mosque

After the tragic double bombing at the Boston Marathon, the whole country is on edge. President Barack Obama offered a cautious response to the blasts on Monday, “betraying no emotion,” according to Time.

Tuesday night, people of many faiths got together at a West County mosque to pray together and discuss the tragedy. The service was attended by dozens of people of varying faiths, according to KSDK. Members of the Council on American Islamic Relations also attended, and several religious leaders from churches around the St. Louis area offered speeches and prayers.

http://www.examiner.com/article/boston-tragedy-st-louis-responds-offers-interfaith-prayers-at-local-mosque

Fethullah Gulen among TIME Magazine's "World's 100 Most Influential People" for 2013

Mr. Fethullah Gulen has been named as one of TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2013. TIME recognized Gulen for "preaching a message of tolerance that has won him admirers around the world." The 2013 TIME 100 includes other noted world leaders such as Pope Francis, Aung San Suu Kyi, Malala Yousafzai and President Obama. In the past, TIME has honored global leaders such as the Dalai Lama and Pope Benedict XVI in their TIME 100 list.

http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130418-909677.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Lessons in tolerance from Indonesian Muslim leaders

When Christians celebrated Good Friday on March 29 in the Cathedral church, Central Jakarta, the Istiqlal mosque next door happily provided its parking space for the church’s congregation members. Standing next to each other, it’s hard to imagine why religious groups sometimes struggle to get along.

A mosque neighboring a church is not unusual in Indonesia. In Solo, Central Java, the Al Hikmah mosque was built adjacent to the Javanese Christian church. For more than fifty years, congregants at the mosque and the church have had a respectful relationship.

http://www.commongroundnews.org/article.php?id=32862&lan=en

Microlending Pioneer Muhammad Yunus Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal

Muhammad Yunus, the founder of nonprofit microlender Grameen Bank, received the Congressional Gold Medal this week, adding to his collection of awards that also include the Nobel Peace Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

He was awarded the medal, Congress' highest expression for distinguished achievements and contributions, at a ceremony held Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol.

Congress awarded the medal to Yunus, 72, for his work to battle global poverty.

http://www.americanbanker.com/people/microlending-pioneer-muhammad-yunus-awarded-the-congressional-gold-medal-1058478-1.html