News items for 2006-October

2006-OCT-11: Christian pastor changes his mind on Islam: The Rev. O'Neal Dozier, pastor of The Worldwide Christian Center, a fundamentalist church in Pompano Beach, FL, remarked on a local radio program that Islam is a "cult" and a "dangerous religion." He was objecting to a mosque to be built in his neighborhood. He expressed concern that his community could become a breeding ground for terrorists. After "much soul searching" and "much prayer" he realized that he was wrong. On OCT-10. he issued a press release saying that he had not intended to include: "peace-loving Muslims who share American values of freedom, tolerance and human rights ... as part of the problem regarding radical Islam.'' He now wants to work with local Muslim groups.

Florida Governor Jeb Bush had earlier fired Dozier from his position on the Judicial Nominating Commission in Broward County. Altaf Ali, executive director the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), who has tried to meet with Dozier, commented: ''If Dozier is true to his word, we are eager to build a relationship with him and his community.'' ₁

2006-OCT-13: ON: Shabbat-Iftar dinner: Muslim students from the Muslim Students' Association (MSA) and Jewish students from Hillel @ U of T joined together to organize a joint Shabbat and Iftar dinner at the International Student Centre (ISC) at the University of Toronto (UofT). Bracha Shapiro, a member of Hillel @ U of T, said:

"This cultural Muslims versus Jews disagreement is not founded in the religions themselves; the religions are very close. It’s good to bring people together to recognize similarities and celebrate them." ₂