{jcomments on}

Third annual Interfaith ‘trialogue’ begins April 28

“Bon Air Presbyterian Church, Bon Air United Methodist Church, OR AMI Congregation, Virginia Muslim Coalition for Public Affairs, St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church and the Islamic Center of Virginia are launching their third annual interfaith dialogue in 2011.

The aim of the dialogue is to deepen mutual understanding and appreciation between the three Abrahamic religious communities.  The three communities will meet three evenings in April and May to understand each other’s traditions and build better relations.  The organizers stressed the importance of such dialogue because it helps appreciate the respective faiths as good neighbors and will lead to goodwill and mutual understanding and provide a model of neighborhood harmony in Chesterfield County and the region.  They see these gatherings as important opportunities to together address religious, ethical and moral issues facing the Richmond region.  The organizers stressed that one does not need uniformity to seek common grounds.”

http://www.midlothianexchange.com/index.php/news/article/third-annual-interfaith-trialogue-begins-april-28/25474/

At interfaith vigil, religious leaders unite against pastor Terry Jones

“Hundreds of people gathered Thursday at the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn as religious leaders representing Christians, Muslims and Jews came together to speak out against Pastor Terry Jones’ planned Friday protest there.

Jones is the Florida-based pastor who gained media attention after planning to burn a Quran on Sept. 11 last year. The burning was cancelled but he oversaw a Quran burning in March this year.

http://www.pressandguide.com/articles/2011/04/22/news/doc4db0cf5992299756736717.txt

Community backs center against threats

Vandalism and threats aimed at a local Muslim community have inspired others in Springfield to stand with the Muslims and in opposition to bigotry.

Representatives of faith groups, human rights advocates and city government will join members of the Islamic Center of Springfield on Saturday afternoon to speak against recent incidents at the center and for religious freedom.

Carl Haworth with the Interfaith Alliance, which organized the event, said “everyone who supports religious freedom” is invited to join.”

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20110422/NEWS01/104220387/Community-backs-center-against-threats?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CSpecial%20Reports%7Cs

Vandals desecrate Muslim graves in High Wycombe

“Vandals have attacked 20 Muslim graves at a cemetery in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

Headstones were pushed over and ornaments from the graves strewn around the cemetery in Hampden Road.

The graves were vandalised between 2100 BST on Wednesday and 0800 BST on Thursday. Thames Valley Police said it took the incident extremely seriously and was supporting families and the community as well as hunting the vandals.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-13169073

Police appeal after muslim attacked by schoolgirls in North Cheam

“A gang of schoolgirls attacked a muslim woman after mocking her for wearing a headscarf.

Four teenage girls, two wearing school uniform, kicked and knocked the woman to the ground before trying to remove the item of religious dress during the incident in North Cheam between 7pm and 9pm on Wednesday, April 13.

The 26-year-old was walking along Stonecot Hill towards London Road, near the territorial army centre, when she noticed she was being followed by the girls, who were teasing her about her headscarf.”

http://www.suttonguardian.co.uk/news/8988870.Police_appeal_after_muslim_attacked_by_schoolgirls/