c. 2007 Religion News Service

Religion Important, but So Is Nation, Europe’s Muslims Say

(RNS) Muslims in three major European cities were just as likely as non-Muslims to identify strongly with the country in which they live and sometimes even more so, according to a new Gallup Poll.

Conducted between November 2006 and February 2007, the survey of 1,518 Muslims in London, Paris and Berlin found that most felt their religious belief did not compromise their loyalty to the countries where they reside.

In London, 88 percent of Muslims surveyed said religion is an important part of their lives, while 85 percent in Berlin and 68 percent in Paris agreed. When asked if Muslims are loyal to the countries in which they live, 74 percent of Muslims in London answered yes, as did 73 percent of Muslims in Paris and 72 percent in Berlin.

The poll also found that Muslims identified with their European countries as much as other Europeans. In fact, in the United Kingdom, 57 percent of Muslims said they identified strongly with the country, while just 48 percent of non-Muslims said the same.

Meanwhile, just 35 percent to 45 percent of non-Muslims in the United Kingdom, France and Germany believed that Muslim residents were loyal to their countries. Also, smaller numbers of Europeans described themselves as religious: France, 23 percent; United Kingdom, 36 percent, and Germany, 41 percent.

The poll had margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

Several events, including the London subway bombings and Paris riots, as well as the murder of a Dutch filmmaker by a young Muslim extremist, have contributed to the perception that Muslims in Europe are poorly integrated.

John Esposito, founder of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, said the poll “underscores that Muslims in Europe are integrated and wish to be integrated.”

_ Omar Sacirbey

British Group Seeks to Rebrand St. George, Country’s Patron Saint

LONDON (RNS) St. George has gone down in legend as the warrior-knight who rescued a maiden by slaying a dragon, but a new campaign is afoot to celebrate the patron saint of England as a caring person of conscience rather than a killer of monsters.

The Ekklesia religious research organization wants to rebrand George as “the people’s saint of the downtrodden” and to turn his saint’s day, April 23, into a national day of dissent for calling those in power to account.

Little is actually known of the early Christian martyr, who tradition says was born around 280 AD and never saw England. Sixth century legends immortalized him as the now-familiar warrior-saint wearing knight’s armor emblazoned with a scarlet cross.

His legend grew with the tale of his rescuing a Libyan king’s daughter from a dragon and then slaying the monster with his sword _ a deed that turned him into the medieval ideal of selflessness for Western warriors riding to the Crusades and flying the flag of his emblem, the red cross against a white background.

Over the centuries, the story of St. George and his slaying of the dragon has become a widely known theme represented in ecclesiastical art around the globe.

But, said Simon Barrow, who with Jonathan Bartley authored the Ekklesia report that appeared April 20 in the Church of England Newspaper, “It is time that St. George was reclaimed from the dragon, from past associations with racism and the far right, and from images of arrogant flag-waving.”

Barrow was referring to the adoption of the red-cross flag as a banner by fascist-leaning politicians warring against minorities in Britain and by England soccer fans warring against opponents in stadiums and streets.

The Ekklesia authors suggested that to consider St. George a symbol of “England alone, above, better” damages English people as a whole. Instead, Barrow said, George should be recognized as “the people’s saint.”

Jack Straw, Britain’s former foreign secretary who now leads the House of Commons, wrote in a public letter that he “resent(s) the hijacking of St. George and his emblem … by those on the far right.”

“I wonder if any of those who have wrapped themselves in a St. George banner and chanted objectionable, racist slogans ever realized that the man himself was a Turkish Arab?” Straw wrote.

_ Al Webb

Chris Tomlin, Aaron Shust Bring Home Most Dove Awards

(RNS) Singer and songwriter Chris Tomlin was honored six times at the 38th Annual Dove Awards on Thursday (April 25), earning more recognition than any other Christian artist at the Nashville, Tenn., ceremony.

Tomlin, who won five trophies at last year’s honors, was named artist of the year and male vocalist of the year. His “See the Morning” was named pop/contemporary album of the year and praise and worship album of the year. He also was honored for his work as co-writer of “Holy is The Lord,” which was named worship song of the year, and his involvement in “Passion: Everything Glorious,” which won special event album of the year.

Another winner in multiple categories was worship leader Aaron Shust, who was awarded three Doves, including new artist and songwriter of the year. He wrote “My Savior, My God,” which was named song of the year.

“Chris Tomlin and Aaron Shust deserve their moment to rejoice in the recognition their community has bestowed on them with their multiple Dove Awards and it is evident they will be impacting gospel and Christian music for some time to come,” said John W. Styll, president of the Gospel Music Association and executive producer of the GMA Dove Awards, in a statement.

The ceremony will air in national television syndication in May.

Winners in major categories include:

Song of the Year: “My Savior, My God” by Aaron Shust

Artist of the Year: Chris Tomlin

New Artist of the Year: Aaron Shust

Female Vocalist of the Year: Natalie Grant

Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Tomlin

Group of the Year: Casting Crowns

Songwriter of the Year: Aaron Shust

_ Adelle M. Banks

Quote of the Day: Nobel Laureate and Holocaust Survivor Elie Wiesel

(RNS) “I’m a Jew who believes in daily miracles, and when such a miracle occurs, rather than saying, `Why so late?’ I am thankful that it is done.”

_ Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, reacting to President Bush’s announcement at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum that Sudan may soon face sanctions for “genocide” in Darfur. Wiesel was quoted by The Washington Post.

DSB/LF END RNS