Staff September 16, 2012 Interfaith / Islamophobia News
Interfaith coalition offers 9/11 prayers for Newark commuters: Rabbi, imam, and bishop lead healing ritual
An imam, a rabbi, and an Episcopal bishop joined in morning prayers for peace in front of Newark Penn Station on Sept. 11 on the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Standing in front of a sign reading "Interfaith Prayers for Peace, Shalom, Salaam," the three Essex County clergymen interspersed prayer and social reflection.
As commuters raced for their morning trains, the Right Reverend Mark Beckwith, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, led off the sidewalk service.
http://www.njjewishnews.com/article/14338/interfaith-coalition-offers-9-11-prayers-for-newark-commuters
Pope calls for interfaith unity to end Mideast violence
Pope Benedict XVI said Saturday he was moved by the courage of Syrian youth and called for interfaith unity to end violence in the Middle East.
"I am moved by your courage and I pray for you always and I want to tell you that the pope never forgets you," Benedict told a group of youths of various Arab nationalities during a ceremony at Bkirki, the Seat of the Maronite Patriarchate.
"The pope is saddened by your hardships. You are in my prayers," Benedict added.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Sep-15/188060-youths-in-bkirki-gather-in-their-thousands-for-popes-speech.ashx#axzz26cFW54Xn
Missouri Mosque Gets Interfaith Support
One month after the fire destroyed Joplin mosque, leaders of Missouri Muslim community are trying to start reconstruction of the worshiping centre, moving forward with support from the interfaith community.
"It is the centre for everything," Imam Lahmuddin, Joplin mosque's imam, told Washington Post.
Last August, an arson attack burnt a Joplin mosque in southeast Missouri to the ground.
http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/459033-missouri-mosque-gets-interfaith-support.html
Just Because You Love Jesus Doesn't Mean You Have to Disrespect the Buddha, Dishonor Muhammad or Disregard Moses
On this 11th anniversary of 9/11, it's a good day for us to look back and assess the damage.
The damage to buildings long been accounted for, and much has been rebuilt. The damage to the economy has also been debated and estimated -- and replaced by new, greater, primarily self-inflicted economic wounds.
The damage to families is, of course, impossible to assess or quantify. It can only be mourned.
But there's another impact of those attacks that is still too seldom tallied: how our religious communities have turned from their deepest teachings and values of peace and reconciliation, and have too often become possessed, we might say, by spirits of fear, revenge, isolation and hostility.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-d-mclaren/just-because-you-love-jesus-doesnt-mean-you-have-to-disrespect-the-buddha-dishonor-muhammad-or-disregard-moses_b_1874103.html?utm_hp_ref=interfaith