Page 2 - Muslims

Wazukhana's ASI survey not permissible due to SC order: Gyanvapi management

An ASI survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque Wazukhana is not permissible as there is a Supreme Court order that the area should be preserved, the mosque management committee has told the Allahabad High Court. The Anjuman Intezamia Committee Thursday filed a counter-affidavit before the Allahabad HC in the matter seeking a survey of the Wazukhana (or ablution area) by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It has been stated in the counter-affidavit that the matter relating to Wazukhana and 'Shiv Linga' is already pending before the Supreme Court and there is a stay order operating that the area be preserved, and the responsibility for its safety and security has been handed over to the District Magistrate, Varanasi. "Hence, any further action is not permissible. Instead, the petitioner should approach the apex court to seek clarification of its 2022 order," the counter-affidavit said. "In this backdrop, the District Judge, Varanasi has rightly rejected the application of Hindu side on

Assam to table Bill to compulsory register marriage, divorce of Muslims

The Assam government will introduce a bill in the upcoming Autumn Session of Assembly for compulsory government registration of marriage and divorce of Muslim people, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Addressing a press conference after a cabinet meeting, Sarma said the government will table the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriage and Divorce Bill, 2024 during the upcoming session, which will begin on Thursday. "Earlier, Muslim marriages were registered by the Kazis. However, this new bill will ensure that all marriages of the community will be registered with the government," he added. Sarma also claimed that marriages of minors were also registered by the Kazis earlier, but the proposed bill will prohibit any such move. "Now, minor marriage registration will not happen at all. We want to end the menace of child marriage. So, the marriages will be registered at the Sub-Registrar's Office," he added, citing cabinet decisions. Sarma said that there will not be a

SC seeks Centre's response on plea over detention of Rohingya refugees

A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra asked Centre and others to file a reply on the plea

Govt proposes JPC scrutiny over controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill

Opposition parties have criticised the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it an attack on the Constitution, religious freedoms, and the federal structure of India

Govt releases Haj policy 2025, Haj Committee of India quota now 70%

Out of the total Haj pilgrims quota allocated to India, 70 per cent would be handled by the Haj Committee of India while the remaining 30 per cent will be allocated to private Haj Group Organisers, according to the government's Haj Policy for 2025. In 2024, the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) was allotted 80 per cent while the private Haj Group Organisers got 20 per cent of the quota. While the order of priority was 70 plus applicants, ladies travelling without mehrams (LWM) and the general category in 2024, the new Haj policy has prioritised 65 plus applicants followed by ladies without mehrams and then the general category. "It is decided that considering the arduous nature of the Haj pilgrimage, a companion is a must for pilgrims aged 65 or above and no pilgrim aged 65 or above will be registered as a lone member under reserved category," the new haj policy lays down. In the 2024 policy, which was a continuation of the 2023 policy, a companion was a must for 70 plus age pilgrims.

Continuous demands from poor Muslims to regulate waqf properties: Rijiju

With the government likely to table in Parliament a bill to amend the Wakf Act, 1995, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiu on Monday said that continuous demands and representations were made by common Muslims to make regulation of waqf properties more transparent and efficient. He, however, did not comment on the bill during his brief intercation with reporters. The bill, which was recently passed by the Union Cabinet, has not been introduced in Parliament yet. "For a long time there have been continuous demands and representations from the poor and common Muslims, including women, to make waqf properties more transparent and efficient," Rijiju said. The bill to amend the Wakf Act will make it mandatory for waqf boards to register their properties with district collectors to ensure their actual valuation. There are 30 waqf boards in the country. Sources said the revenue generated by all waqf properties was estimated at Rs 200 crore per annum. This is not in sync with the

Muharram 2024: Top 30 quotes to share on Imam Hussain's martyrdom day

Muharram marks the first month of the Islamic New Year. During the period of Muharram, Muslims across the world share quotes and messages with their families and friends

Muharram 2024: When is Ashura? Know its History, Significance and more

Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, is observed every year to commemorate the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hazrat Imam Hussain

India's tradition is Hindus, Muslims living, working together: Amartya Sen

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen on Saturday said India has the tradition of Hindus and Muslims working and living together in cohesion. Sen, a noted economist, was speaking at a programme at the Alipore Jail Museum to foster book-reading habits among underprivileged youth. "Going by the history of our country, Hindus and Muslims have been working together in harmony in perfect coordination and synergy for ages. This is 'Juktosadhana' as underscored by Kshitimohan Sen in his book. We need to stress on this idea of 'Juktosadhana' in our present times," he said. In this context, he flagged the word "religious tolerance", saying that should not be the sole emphasis. "It is not merely like allowing the other community to live and not beat up anybody. Perhaps that has become a necessity in the present situation as people are being beaten up. But most crucial is to work together," he added. Sen, who is known for his liberal views, said that children need not be inculcated with the values of .

Muslim pilgrims start Hajj against backdrop of destructive Israel-Hamas war

In sweltering temperatures, Muslim pilgrims in Mecca converged on a vast tent camp in the desert on Friday, officially opening the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Ahead of their trip, they circled the cube-shaped Kaaba in the Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site. More than 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world have already amassed in and around Mecca for the Hajj, and the number was still growing as more pilgrims from inside Saudi Arabia joined. Saudi authorities expected the number of pilgrims to exceed 2 million this year. This year's Hajj came against the backdrop of the raging war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Palestinian militants, which pushed the entire Middle East to the brink of a regional war between Israel and its allies on one side and Iran-backed militant groups on the other. Palestinians in the coastal enclave of Gaza were not able to travel to Mecca for Hajj this year because of the closure of the Rafah crossing in May when Israel extended its ground offensive to th

Hajj 2024: Step-by-step guide, rituals and significance of the pilgrimage

The Hajj pilgrimage holds special significance for Muslims across the world. Here's the step-by-step guide to performing the annual holy ritual

Lack of Muslim representation in Modi govt undemocratic: Sudhakaran

KPCC chief K Sudhakaran on Tuesday criticised the lack of Muslim representation in the third government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and claimed that this was "extremely undemocratic". In a statement, the senior Congress leader said, "It was extremely undemocratic that the country's Muslim population was completely excluded when the third Modi government came to power, with not a single MP from the BJP being from that community." Criticising Modi, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president said representation for all is a common thing in a democratic system. Referring to Modi's controversial remarks during the LS poll campaign, the Lok Sabha member from Kannur alleged that he came to power by making hate speeches. Stating that today there is a strong opposition in the country, Sudhakaran further said that the INDIA Front and the Congress, which is leading it, will move forward by bringing together all people.

Eid-ul-Adha 2024: When will Muslims celebrate Bakra Eid in other countries?

Eid-ul-Adha is an auspicious festival celebrated by Muslims every year across the world on the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah. Here's when the festival will be celebrated in different countries

24 Muslim candidates win 18th Lok Sabha seats, two less than 2019 polls

As many as 24 Muslim candidates across the country have won the Lok Sabha elections and they include former cricketer Yusuf Pathan of the Trinamool Congress from Bahrampur in West Bengal and Congress' Rakibul Hussain from Dhubri in Assam. However, the community's presence in the 18th Lok Sabha has reduced marginally from 26 last time but is higher than the 2014 tally when 23 Muslim candidates were elected to the lower house of Parliament. As many as 78 Muslims were in the fray in the Lok Sabha elections this year, a significant drop from the last polls when 115 Muslim candidates were fielded by various parties. Among the Muslim candidates who won this time, Rakibul Hussain's victory in Dhubri was significant in terms of the winning margin. The Congress candidate secured 14.71 lakh votes and defeated his nearest rival Mohammad Badruddin Ajmal by one of the highest margins of about 10 lakh votes. On the other hand, first-time contender Yusuf Pathan beat Congress leader in the Lok Sab

We don't have many Muslim leaders on national stage: Omar Abdullah

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the absence of prominent Muslim leaders on the national stage when the community faces challenges, and said Ghulam Nabi Azad could have played the leadership role within the Congress, but his fledgling DPAP is limited to just the Chenab Valley now. Abdullah emphasised the need for a strong national-level Muslim leader to give Muslims in the rest of the country "some reassurance". Azad had ended his more than five-decade-long association with the Congress in August 2022 and launched his own party -- the Democratic Azad party (DAP) -- the next month. "Unfortunately, he (Azad) was a man who would have been on the forefront of the Congress campaign. He would have been on the forefront of the leadership role within the Congress. I don't know what went wrong but I feel bad...we don't have many many Muslim leaders on the national stage," Abdullah said. Azad not being there is a loss to the wider Muslim community, especially

PM unleashing hate speech against Muslims from every available forum: Oppn

The opposition on Monday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "never uttered a word against minorities" remark, saying he is "lying" as he is "unleashing hate speech" against Muslims from every available forum. In an interview with PTI, Modi said he has never uttered a word against minorities, and the BJP has "not just today but never" acted against them. He, however, made it clear that he is not ready to accept anyone as "special citizens". Reacting to the prime minister's remarks, CPI general secretary D Raja said, "It is completely lie. Modi knows how they (BJP) have been talking about Muslims. Who spoke about mangalsutra, mothers giving births to more children? Muslims and other minorities have been disrespected and deprived of many of their due rights." The BJP-RSS have been pursuing a "sinister design" of undermining the minorities and ridiculing them, Raja alleged. Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said there is no talk of education and health which will take us to 'Viksit ...

How has population's religious composition changed? Many interpretations

Studies have pointed out that changes in population shares of different religions can be explained by differences in fertility

Will not let reservation be given to Muslims as long as I'm alive: PM Modi

Speaking at an election rally in Maharashtra, Prime Minister says that he will not let reservation for Dalits, adivasis, OBCs to be compromised

Media reports on study about Muslim population in India misleading: PFI

NGO Population Foundation of India raises concerns over misinterpretation; advocates for contextual understanding of demographic trends

Hindu population fell 7.8% between 1950-2015 in India: EAC-PM paper

The share of the Hindu population decreased by 7.82 per cent between 1950 and 2015 in India, while that of Muslims increased by 43.15 per cent, suggesting that there is a conducive environment in the country to foster diversity, said a recent working paper by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). The paper titled 'Share of Religious Minorities: A Cross-Country Analysis (1950-2015)' further said the share of Jains in the population of India decreased from 0.45 per cent in 1950 to 0.36 per cent in 2015. "... The share of the majority Hindu population decreased by 7.82 per cent between 1950 and 2015 (from 84.68 per cent to 78.06 per cent). The share of Muslim population in 1950 was 9.84 per cent and increased to 14.09 per cent in 2015 -- a 43.15 per cent increase in their share," said the paper prepared by a team led by Shamika Ravi, member, EAC-PM. According to the paper, the share of Christian population rose from 2.24 per cent to 2.36 per cent -- an increase