Islamic Rituals Face a Celestial Test

President cites 'commitment to religious freedom'

(AP) - President Obama tonight forcefully endorsed building a mosque near Ground Zero, saying the country's founding principles demand no less. "As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country," Obama said, weighing in for the first time on a controversy that has riven New York City and the nation. More»

(AP) - President Barack Obama praised the contributions of American Muslims tonight at a White House dinner to celebrate the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Muslim community leaders, Cabinet secretaries, ambassadors and members of Congress were on hand as Obama paid tribute to "a great religion and its commitment to justice and progress." More»

(NEWSER) - With the Muslim population in the US booming, the start of Ramadan this weekend will see many worshippers overflowing into borrowed space, from ballrooms to synagogues, the Washington Post reports. The DC area's mosques are bursting at the seams; with the Koran's injunction against borrowing money at interest slowing new construction, sharing space is more and more common. More»

Jewish new year coincides with Muslim month of Ramadan in city special to both

(NEWSER) - This year’s intersection of Jewish new-year holidays and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan—a rarity due to Islam’s changing calendar—is felt particularly keenly in Jerusalem, a sacred city for both religions, Ethan Bronner notes in the New York Times. Night has become “a kind of monotheistic traffic jam,” with devout Jews praying at the Western Wall while Muslims break their fast. More»

Muslim holy month starts on sighting of crescent moon

(NEWSER) - Telescopes are tilted skyward throughout the Muslim world tonight, hunting for the first glimpse of a crescent moon that signals the start of Ramadan. In an age-old mix of science and religion, astronomers and clerics gather each year to monitor the moon and announce the beginning of Islam’s holiest month. The 4 weeks of fasting and celebration will likely begin tomorrow, the Washington Post reports. More»