In Washington, Muslims gather to get ‘Happy’ for the camera

April 22, 2014   A young man drummed on a bucket as a portable speaker played the uber-upbeat song “Happy,” Pharrell Williams’s anthem to joy and to the pure communal value of boogying in the street that has engendered countless copycat videos across the globe. Because I’m happy — Clap along if you feel like…

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Running the Boston Marathon in a hijab

April 19, 2014   Like many participants in the Boston Marathon on Monday, Leanne Scorzoni will be running to honor the victims of last year’s bombing. But Scorzoni will also be running in a hijab: she converted to Islam after the attack, and wants her participation to emphasize that Boston’s Muslim community was also hurt…

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Texas terror suspect planned mosque attack, officials say

April 4, 2014   Robert James Talbot Jr. considered himself a revolutionary seeking to create a different society by robbing an armored car, killing police and even blazing a bloody path though a service at a mosque where he would shoot men, women and children at prayer, officials said. Talbot was ordered held without bond…

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“In Sassuolo I’d like a place of worship for all!” Initiative on Facebook

February 7, 2014   Osama Qasim, head of the Young Muslims, launched a Facebook initiative “A mosque in Sassuolo, why not?” The initiative started about a month ago, and relies on public support for an Islamic place of worship in Sassuolo. Each person who supports the cause takes a picture with a sign that says…

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RNC chairman calls for official to step down over anti-Muslim, anti-gay posts

January 24, 2014   A Michigan member of the Republican National Committee rejected calls to resign Friday after making anti-gay and anti-Muslim remarks. Dave Agema said he’s made mistakes but pledged to continue to “honor the trust and fulfill the responsibilities to those in the Michigan Republican Party that elected me.” On Jan. 17, Agema published a Facebook…

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