Bringing Interfaith Dialogue from Pakistan to the United States

By Saadia Faruqi

Source: State of Formation

 

 

I was recently selected as a 2014 Contributing Scholar of the State of Formation, an online forum for emerging religious and ethical leaders. As part of my first assignment I was asked to submit an essay answering the question: why are you committed to building interfaith relationships with people of other religions? Here is my response:

 

Can Christians Celebrate Diwali?

By Ken Chitwood

Source: Deseret News

The lights are hung, the candles lit, the feast prepared, the New Year is almost here, families gather and the children wait to hear the dramatic re-telling of stories from the ancient past. No, it is not Christmas, nor is it Hanukkah or Kwanzaa; steeped in mythical tales, religious devotion, and socio-cultural importance, it is the Hindu festival of Diwali, celebrated in India and throughout its diaspora spread across the world.

Hindus of Greater Houston Hold Diwali Food Drive

By Venugopal Menon

Source: Voice of Asia

 

Hindus of Greater Houston wishes all a very happy Deepavali, the festival of lights. The ‘Festival of Lights’ signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair. As an appropriate gesture, and corresponding to their 25 year observance of Janmashtami together, the several Hindu temples and organizations of Houston are celebrating Diwali by helping the Food Bank of Houston and serving the needy.

Houston's Problems With the First Commandment and the First Amendment

By Andrew T. Walker
Source: Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

 

 

News that Houston city officials are requesting materials from pastors pertaining to efforts to repeal a controversial non-discrimination ordinance makes for troubling precedent about the future of free speech and religious liberty in America.

No! Houston Council Don't Read Those Sermons!

By Marty Troyer

Source: Houston Chronicle

 

Restricting equal rights continues to be the media story embraced as definitive of Houston’s Christian community. Systemically disenfranchised communities such as people of color, women, immigrants, the physically disabled, and people who have been ostracized based on sexuality are all protected by #HERO, the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance passed this summer. And yet the some Christians feverishly protest its implementation.

Columbus Day Revisited

By Tom Blakeley

 

Today is Columbus Day, a holiday at my kids' school and my wife's work. It is allegedly the day in 1492 that Christopher Columbus "arrived" in the Americas, discovered this great and glorious land we call our own. Early this morning, though, I read on the CNN news website that many Americans don't celebrate Columbus Day anymore. Was this another holiday destined to die in the face of political correctness? I decided to investigate further.

Youngest Nobel Peace Prize Winner - Yes She's Female and Yes She's Muslim

By Saadia Faruqi

Source: Tikkun Daily

 

I switched on my computer early this morning to get a lovely surprise: Malala Yusufzai won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014. For all those who think Muslim women are too oppressed, too quiet, or too busy being mothers and housewives, to make international news, todays’ announcement from the Nobel Peace Committee may have come as a bit of a shocker. For me, it was validation of a lot of things. 

The New God of Football

By Saadia Faruqi
Source: Sacred Matters

The NFL made headlines yet again earlier this week, for imposing a penalty on Muslim football player Hussain Abdullah and then promptly retracting the penalty and issuing an apology. Most people like myself heard of the apology before the penalty and had to backtrack to find out exactly what occurred on Monday night. I think Abdullah was confused by all the attention as well. His offense: prostrating in prayer after a touchdown in a game against the New England Patriots.