In a report on global terrorism, the Obama administration said al-Qaida in Yemen, Pakistan, and Africa pose the most dangerous threat to the U.S. Though al-Qaida suffered some setbacks last year, it remains “adaptable and resilient,” according to the report. Terrorist attacks continue to decline, however.
German authorities have shuttered the Hamburg mosque where several of the 9/11 hijackers had met, saying it continues to be a “central attraction for the jihadist scene.” Indonesia arrested a radical cleric with ties to al-Qaida for the third time.
CNN and Newsweek commentator Fareed Zakaria has returned a prize awarded by the Anti-Defamation League over the Jewish group’s opposition to the mosque near ground zero in NYC. The NYT and AP find equally hostile confrontations across the country over building new mosques. It’s gotten so bad that Connecticut Muslims have asked local police for assurances that they can worship without being harassed by protesters. Meanwhile, Ahmadi Muslims are promoting Islam as a peaceful religion.
A Christian charity, International Assistance Mission, said it has no plans to leave Afghanistan, despite the murder of 10 of its members last Thursday. Six of the humanitarians were from the U.S., including a Mennonite from Pa. The Taliban says they killed them for proselytizing. IAM’s director says they were motivated by faith, but did not try to convert anyone.
The seven Bahai’s accused of espionage in Iran were sentenced to 20 years each, according to CNN. A federal judge says the First Amendment prevents the government from investigating/prosecuting how the Church of Scientology treats its Sea Orgs.
The Governator of Cali., who twice vetoed gay marriage bills, surprised everyone by pressing for a federal judge to allow same-sex couples to resume nuptials immediately, after last week’s ruling that struck down Prop 8. Cardinal Norberto Rivera of Mexico City castigated judges for upholding a gay marriage law, calling it “immoral.”
Scotland’s top Catholic bishop said the U.S. should take a hard look at its own criminal justice system rather than criticize Scotland for releasing the Lockerbie bomber.
Church leaders in Arizona are concerned that the parts of the state’s new immigration law still in effect will criminalize their driving of undocumented workers to worship services and spiritual retreats.
In an answer to their prayers for new young leaders, the median age of candidates for masters of divinity degrees have dropped from 34 to 32 in the last 10 years. Clergy burn out because parishioners/church consumers are too demanding, says G. Jeffrey MacDonald in a NYT column. Pope Benedict XVI slipped away unnoticed into the mountains for a little lunch and prayer.
As the new school year approaches (already?!?), the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops publicized their “safe environment” training for children. The AP profiles a professional football player who is observing Ramadan during training camp, a challenging task to say the least. (That’s Hussain Abdullah at top left.) The NYT looks at people who put faith before square footage in searching for a place to live.
A North Korean assassin has become a minister. An atheist gave $5.6 million to Catholic schools in NYC. Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University School of Law was granted full accreditation by the American Bar Association.
