First US Interview with Aga Khan

The delicate politics of school holidays (COMMENTARY) – Religion News Service. Changing school calendars is a politically difficult maneuver because it makes statements about community identity. Our initial school calendar was determined by a mix of agricultural schedules and dominant religious thought. The result: summers off to work the land, and the end of December off to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Despite changing economies and demographics, we hold on to this system because it tells a story of who we are as a nation.

The Seeker: Let Muhammad Ali, not bin Laden, represent Islam in America. Osama bin Laden was an absolute embarrassment to all decent Muslims. Unlike the proud warrior known as the Prophet Muhammad, bin Laden was a cowardly killer of unarmed women and children. People like Muhammad Ali (a great warrior during his time) promote Islam as a respectable religion of peace. This was a common representation before the atrocities of 9/11. Since then blood, savagery and ignorance has tarnished the image.