Free Republic

The US pastor whose burning of a Koran sparked deadly violence in Afghanistan was briefly jailed in a heavily Islamic suburb on Friday after a court banned his protest outside a mosque. A local judge jailed Pastor Terry Jones of Gainesville, Florida and his associate Wayne Sapp after a court found their planned protest outside the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Michigan, could lead to violence. During his court appearance, Pastor Jones argued that the Koran "promotes terrorist activities around the world." He also insisted that his right to protest against Islam was protected by the First Amendment to...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Friday backed construction of a proposed mosque and Muslim cultural center near the site of the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York -- a project opposed by U.S. conservatives and many New Yorkers. "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 to applause at an event attended by diplomats from Islamic countries and members of the U.S. Muslim community. "That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on...

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama on Friday forcefully endorsed building a mosque near ground zero, saying the country's founding principles demanded 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 and the nation. "That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances," he said. "This is America, and our...

Mayor Bloomberg won’t stop talking about the mosque near Ground Zero, harshly attacking opponents yesterday who “ought to be ashamed of themselves.” Sounding more supportive of freedom of religion than freedom of speech, Bloomberg said, "I just don't think the government should tell people where they can pray and where they can build houses of worship. "It is a shame that we even have to talk about this," the mayor added on his WOR radio broadcast. The mayor ratcheted up his rhetoric against critics just days after defending the mosque in an impassioned speech on Governors Island, with the Statue...

At least four people have been killed and 49 injured during a series of co-ordinated explosions, arson attacks and shootings in Thailand's troubled Muslim-majority south. Late on Sunday, 15 explosions injured 26 people and killed one in Yala province, one of three southern provinces bordering Malaysia, while in nearby Narathiwat province, one person was killed and 23 injured in seven bombings. A number of arson attacks and blasts also took place Pattani province, one of which temporarily cut the provincial capital's electricity. Two villagers in Pattani were also shot dead in an ambush Sunday night. More than 1,900 people have...