1) In Flint, Local Hero Fights Against Lead Poisoning: Led by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha (who is of Iraqi descent), the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine has started a program to treat nearly 27,000 children living in Flint, Michigan who were exposed to lead in the city’s water. The doctor discovered elevated lead levels in children back in August after the city began drawing water from the polluted Flint River, and was one of the first to call attention to the dangerous situation, demanding government officials take the matter seriously.
2) Foreign Correspondent Talks About Mood In Iran: NPR’s David Green talks to New York Times foreign correspondent Thomas Erdbrink about the atmosphere in Iran now that international sanctions have lifted and Iran can start selling oil to the west again. Erdbrink lives in Tehran and gives great insight on the mood there, reporting that people are cautious and “cynical.” “People feel as if all these promises made first need to materialize…I think they need to really see that their lives will improve,” comments the reporter.
3) In Wisconsin, More Discourse Over Prayer At Work: Another unfortunate workplace/prayer dispute in Brillon, Wisconsin as new policies at Ariens Manufacturing calls for religious employees to limit when they can pray at work. Instead of being allowed to pray twice during their shifts, the new policy calls for observant employees to pray only once during their meal time (the Islamic faith requires Muslims to pray fives times a day).
4) In Kenya, Muslim Hero Who Shielded Christians Has Died: Kenyan government are calling a Muslim teacher a national hero for standing up to Al-Shabab militants during a bus attack last December. Salah Farah told the militants to kill all 62 passengers (Muslims and Christians) or leave. Farah was subsequently shot in the arm and hip before the gunmen panicked and left. Sadly, Farah succumbed to his injuries and died this week.
5) And lastly, The Pope, the Christian Professor… and Islam: Last month Professor Larycia Hawkins wrote on her facebook page that Christians and Muslims “worship the same God” which caused controversy at her evangelical college, and her job is unfortunately at stake. Pope Francis recently referred to the “three great monotheistic religions” in a speech. Biblical News defines monotheism as the “doctrine or belief that there is only one God,” and draws the conclusion that “Pope Francis believes Christians, Jews and Muslims worship the same god.”
