Holy Relics

Young Imam Serves as Islam’s Face to Community
Sheikh Rashid Lamptey, the new imam at the Dar Al Noor mosque in Virginia, plays a dual role: He’s the face of Islam to his congregation and to Americans who might be wary of Muslims.

Sheikh Rashid Lamptey, the new imam at the Dar Al Noor mosque in Virginia, plays a dual role: He’s the face of Islam to his congregation and to Americans who might be wary of Muslims.

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Source: www.npr.org

Can US Diplomacy Get Religion?
In much of the world, religion ? not ideology ? is the prime motivator propelling people and events, often leading to violence. Congress had a sense of that a decade ago when it began considering how the US might better promote religious freedom and tolerance in its foreign policy. It’s a subject worth revisiting.
Source: pewforum.org

Mission Field Dangerous for Church Workers
There are 21 South Korean hostages still in custody of the Taliban in Afghanistan. The group belongs to the same church near Seoul, and was taken hostage by the Taliban July 19. The incident highlights the hazards for the thousands of missionaries who head to danger zones every year.

There are 21 South Korean hostages still in custody of the Taliban in Afghanistan. The group belongs to the same church near Seoul, and was taken hostage by the Taliban July 19. The incident highlights the hazards for the thousands of missionaries who head to danger zones every year.

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Source: www.npr.org

Evangelicals Join Other Christian Groups in Push For Common Code of Conduct on Conversions
Evangelical groups have joined efforts spearheaded by Roman Catholic, Orthodox and mainstream Protestant churches to create a common code of conduct for religious conversions that would preserve the right of Christians to spread their religion while avoiding conflict among different faiths.
Source: pewforum.org

Romney Gets Lift in Iowa Straw Poll
Pots of money aside, one factor above all helped bring victory to Mitt Romney in Saturday’s informal Iowa “straw poll” of Republican presidential candidates – a reputation for competence.
Source: pewforum.org

Shiite Pilgrims Willingly Risk Lives for Faith
Thousands are walking the streets of Baghdad, performing an annual pilgrimage to the shrine of a much-loved Shiite Imam, or saint. Because many Shiite observances were suppressed under Saddam Hussein, the pilgrimage is an important part of Shiite identity but dangerous.

Thousands are walking the streets of Baghdad, performing an annual pilgrimage to the shrine of a much-loved Shiite Imam, or saint. Because many Shiite observances were suppressed under Saddam Hussein, the pilgrimage is an important part of Shiite identity but dangerous.

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Source: www.npr.org

Church Group to Discuss Guidelines for Conversion
Rev. Dr. Hans Ucko of the World Council of Churches talks to Rebecca Roberts about the creation of a code of conduct for Christian conversion and the work of missionaries. The WCC meets this week in Toulouse, France.

Rev. Dr. Hans Ucko of the World Council of Churches talks to Rebecca Roberts about the creation of a code of conduct for Christian conversion and the work of missionaries. The WCC meets this week in Toulouse, France.

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Source: www.npr.org

In Afghanistan, a Jewish Community of One
Some scholars estimate that 4,000 Jews lived in Afghanistan a half-century ago. Today, 47-year-old Zabolon Simantov is believed to be the country’s only remaining Jewish resident.

Some scholars estimate that 4,000 Jews lived in Afghanistan a half-century ago. Today, 47-year-old Zabolon Simantov is believed to be the country’s only remaining Jewish resident.

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