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Wednesday’s Religion News Roundup: Ramadan ending * Holy warrior * Biblical dinosaurs | Religion News Service. Hussein Rashid, a professor at Hofstra University, disses those who say a Ramadan observance called Laylat ul-Qadr, which translates as the “Night of Power” or the “Night of Destiny,” may be the reason for the closure of U.S. embassies in Africa and the Middle East.

Why the Charlie Hebdo attack is not about images or free speech (COMMENTARY) – Religion News Service. Regarding images: Muhammad is a powerful symbol for Muslims. The Quran calls him a “beautiful role model,” and he is considered to be the most perfect Muslim. It is generally accepted by Muslims that images of Muhammad, or any other person, do not appear in mosques. However, this ban does not extend outside the mosque. Various Muslim cultures show a comfort with painting and figural representation. Images of Muhammad, his family, prophets and other holy figures exist. They are on display in museums…

My original piece at Religion Dispatches: Muslim Boycott of Bloomberg’s Interfaith Breakfast | Religion Dispatches ‘I AM NOT A TERRORIST’ shirt at Bloomberg event (via @capitalnewyork) – YouTube Muslims Skip NYC Mayor’s Event to Protest Spying – ABC News Bloomberg Avoids Surveillance Controversy at Interfaith Event – WNYC At Mayor’s Interfaith Breakfast, Some Muslim No-Shows – NYTimes.com Interfaith Breakfast Boycott Protests NYPD’s Alleged Surveillance Of Local Muslims – NY1.com ‘I’m not a terrorist’: One man quietly protests NYPD at Bloomberg’s breakfast | Capital New York Kelly on his department’s relationship with Muslims; a Muslim professor on his protest T-shirt | Capital New York Muslims Skip NYC Mayor’s Event To Protest Spying – From the Wires – Salon.com Espionnage à New York : des musulmans boycottent un déjeuner avec le maire | International | Radio-Canada.ca AFP: Muslims boycott NY mayor event over alleged spying Muslim Academic Wears “I’m Not A Terrorist” To Bloomberg’s Interfaith Breakfast: Gothamist Interfaith Breakfast: Controversy with Your Coffee?