Islamic satellite channel to be set up by Azhar

Cairo,

The Azhar Council has decided to set up an Islamic education satellite channel, the main objective of which would be to spread the tolerant Islamic teachings, and to respond to any adverse propaganda against Islam. It would also educate the Muslims themselves on various matters in which they require enlightenment, and would include Fatawi (religious pronouncements). The Rector of Azhar University, Dr. Omar Hashim, disclosed that the decision as to the setting up of the channel has been taken, and now the details remain to be worked out, and this would be done with the cooperation of Egypt’s Ministry of Information, he added.

Taken From: http://www.islamicnews.org/english/en_daily.html

Old ways no help to Australian Muslims adrift in a risky new world

In the wake of September 11 and theBali bombings, the Australian Islamic community is undergoing an identity crisis.

Thousands of people inSydney are struggling with this question: what does it mean to be a Muslim in 21st century Australia?

How do Australian Muslims separate themselves from the fallacies and ideologies of Islamic extremists?

The majority of Australian Muslims consider religious extremism as a threat to social harmony, but the religious stereotyping which has accompanied the rise of terrorism has resulted in many Muslims being tarred with the same extremist brush.

How, in this climate, do Australian Muslims reclaim their 1400-year-old history - and their own positive contribution to human civilization from those who have hijacked Islam?

While the extremists claim their attacks on Western targets are in the name of Allah, they are in fact an attack on the good name and image of Muslims. These tactics are also designed to produce an environment to turn moderate Muslims into radicals.

Taken From; http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/24/1061663672747.html

Meeting seeks to explain religions

ARLINGTON

Proclaiming Islam a religion of peace, Muslim scholars, area college professors and a local congressman at a conference on extremism called for greater understanding among religions and an end to the cycle of violence in the Middle East.

"There is no violent Islam, Christianity or Judaism, but there are violent Jews, Christians and Muslims," said Jamal Badawi, a professor of religious studies at Saint Mary's University inHalifax, Nova Scotia.

Badawi spoke at a daylong, regional conference, "Extremism: A Threat to Global Peace," hosted by the Association of Muslim Social Scientists. The meeting, at the Bluebonnet Ballroom in the E.H. Hereford University Center at the University of Texas at Arlington, drew an audience of nearly 200 people.

Taken From: http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/local/states/texas/arlington/6606889.htm