October 19, 2001

The textbook for one of the five religion classes required of all 10th graders in Saudi public high schools tackles the complicated issue of who good Muslims should befriend. After examining a number of scriptures which warn of the dangers of having Christian and Jewish friends, the lesson concludes: ''It is compulsory for the Muslims to be loyal to each other and to consider the infidels their enemy.''

Mark Green and Fernando Ferrer meet for first time since their bitter runoff contest, in apparent effort to keep their differences from continuing to spill over into compressed general election season; it has been clear for last day or so that campaign supporters of Ferrer had been approached by Democratic leaders and Green's supporters to try to unify Democrats behind Green, apparent nominee (M)

Four terrorists convicted of conspiring with Osama bin Laden in 1998 bombings of two American Embassies in East Africa are sentenced to life in prison without any chance of release; Judge Leonard B Sand sentences four men under extraordinarily tight security in Old Federal Courthouse in Lower Manhattan, short distance from ruins of World Trade Center; attacks on embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Aug 7, 1998, killed 224 people and wounded thousands; two of convicted terrorists speak in court, making clear they feel they are innocent; one, Wadih El-Hage, is naturalized American citizen and former close aide to bin Laden; he tells Judge Sand that he condemned 1998 bombings as well as attacks on trade center and Pentagon last month; some of jurors on case attend sentencing, saying jurors never doubted guilt of all four defendants; photos (M)

Britain's Legal and General Group group director David Rough will retire next year; will be succeeded by Tim Breedon, who will assume new role on Jan 1; Rough will remain through June to help transition (S)

One is an African-American who guided his followers away from black nationalism toward mainstream Islam. Two are brothers from Egypt who settled in Los Angeles nearly 30 years ago. A fourth is a white convert, born in California, who bridges Eastern and Western intellectual currents. They are among the most influential voices of Muslim America, a diverse and sometimes fractious community that was often openly critical of the United States. Now these same spiritual leaders are calling on their colleagues to tone down the incendiary anti-American messages that have long been a staple at some Muslim events. Some have gone so far as to retract their own hard words.