Page 132 - Religion Belief
Modi, Rahul greet people on Onam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday greeted people on the occasion of Onam, saying the nation stands with Kerala in their times of adversity, in the aftermath of floods.
Bohra women's group defends 'khafz', says FGM should be banned
An organisation representing women of Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community today defended the practice of female circumcision prevalent in the community saying it does not amount to female genital mutilation (FGM), which needs to be banned. The organisation issued a statement today in the wake of Court of Criminal Appeal in New South Wales in Australia overturning the conviction of three people accused of FGM. The court ruled that the traditional Dawoodi Bohra practice of 'khafz' (female circumcision) does not amount to FGM. Dawoodi Bohra community is a Shia sub-sect of traders hailing predominantly from Gujarat and spread across the world. The group, Dawoodi Bohra Women's Association For Religious Freedom (DBWRF), said that khafz was a harmless religious ritual that was being followed for centuries, FGM was unwarranted and it should be abolished. In a statement issued today, secretary and spokesperson of DBWRF, Samina Kanchwala, said, "Khafz is a completely harmless ...
'ICSS to help impart universal message of Guru Granth Sahib'
Indian-American businessman Sant Singh Chatwal has said that the International Centre for Sikh Studies (ICSS) that is coming up at the Gurudwara Rakabganj Sahib in New Delhi would help in spreading the message of the Guru Granth Sahib, the religious scripture of the Sikhs to all the generations across the globe.In his opening remarks at a press conference here on Friday, Chatwal said that he had visited the centre in India last month and appreciated that 80 per cent of the works has so far been completed. He added that he is looking for its grand opening on the occasion of Baisakhi next year.Stressing on the importance of the Guru Granth Sahib, Chatwal explained, "The message of Guru Granth Sahib is very universal. It is not only for the Sikhs, it is for every human being and for all religions. When we bow our heads in front of the Guru Granth Sahib, it is not just for the Sikhs, but for all. The ICSS is one centre which is open to all the religions."He added, "All over the world, ...
Dharma is duty, those in power speak of 'Raj Dharma': RSS
"Dharma" does not mean only religious rituals but also social duty, and the rulers speak of "Raj Dharma", RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat today said at an event where industrialist Ratan Tata shared the dais with him. Bhagwat was speaking at a function here to mark the birth centenary of late RSS leader Nana Palkar. Tata was the chief guest at the event. Expounding on the concept of 'Dharma', Bhagwat said, "Dharma does not mean only rituals. It also means working for uniting and uplifting society. It is a duty towards society. "Dharma is also the duty of son towards father, father's duty towards son, and those who are elected to power, speak of 'Raj Dharma' (ruler's duty). We have to perform the duty without seeking anything in return," the RSS chief said. The Sangh believes in "inclusive development" and nation-building through collective effort, he said, adding that Palkar served the society with "genuine willpower" and the urge to do good. Referring to Tata, the RSS chief ...
May Onam mark a new beginning, says President
President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday greeted people on the occasion on Onam and said it should mark a new beginning to those trying to rebuild their lives after the devastating floods in Kerala.
Mathura temple gears up for Janmashtami
Preparations are in full swing at the Sri Krishna Janmasthan temple here to celebrate Lord Krishna's birthday, on September 3. The temple would witness a congregation of several lakh pilgrims on the occasion of Janmashtami. "The pilgrims would have the privilege of watching birth celebrations of Lord Krishna in a novel way," said Kapil Sharma, the secretary of Sri Krishna Janmabhumi Nyas. LED screens will also be installed inside and outside the temple, he said, adding that the Sri Krishna Janmasthan temple will remain open till 1.30 am on September 3.
BJP causing divisions in society, says Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the BJP and RSS were weakening the country "by causing divisions and spreading hatred."
Angry Pakistanis torch minority Ahmadi's place of worship
A spokesman for Pakistan's minority Ahmadi sect says a mob of Sunni Muslims have torched the group's place of worship. Yesterday's assault in a village near the eastern city of Faisalabad in Punjab province is the latest sectarian attack on the Ahmadis in Pakistan. Saleem-ud-Din says six people from the Ahmadi sect were injured in the attack. Authorities say the situation is under control today and that police are investigating. Ahmadis make a tiny minority of the Muslim-majority Pakistan and are often targeted by Sunni militants who consider them heretics. The Ahmadi sect was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in the Indian subcontinent in the 19th century. His followers believe he was a prophet. Pakistan declared Ahmadis non-Muslims in 1974.
Kerala bishop falls to death from moving train
A Kerala bishop died on Friday after falling out from a moving train here, police said.
Tourism nudge to promote sites associated with Gautam Buddha
Hundreds of Buddhist followers from across the country and abroad will visit Rajgir, Nalanda and Bodhgaya (Bihar), and Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh) over the next two days as part of the Tourism Ministry's efforts to promote sites associated with Gautam Buddha, Union Minister KJ Alphons said today. Speaking at a four-day International Buddhist Conclave inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind today, Alphons said a delegation of ministers from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, who are participating in the conclave, will visit the Buddhist sites. Delegates from 29 countries - Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mangolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam - will be accompanying them. "India has a rich ancient Buddhist Heritage with several important sites associated with the life of Lord Buddha. ..
Timeless Buddhist wisdom uncovered at Bhutan lit fest
The spirit of Buddhism and the many philosophies surrounding the religion were explored on the opening day of the "Mountain Echoes" literary festival which aims to celebrate "Untouched Beauty, Unexplored Ideas and Unstoppable Voices" from the heart of the Himalayas.
Inadequate connectivity, exhibition hamper tourism in Buddhist circuit: Prez
President Ram Nath Kovind today stressed that inadequate last-mile connectivity and exhibition of the history of the rich Buddhist circuit in India are bottlenecks that need to be overcome so that this special sector of heritage tourism realises its full potential. Inaugurating the 6th International Buddhist Conclave here, he said the Buddhist circuit in India is an important and revered set of destinations for the approximately 500 million-strong community of Buddhists that lives across Asia and other parts of the world. "I must emphasise that while we should take advantage of our strengths, we also need to overcome issues that are limiting us from scaling up. There are issues related to limited market research, limited interpretation, and inadequate exhibiting and presentation of the Buddhist circuit's history and narrative. "While air services have expanded in the past few years, last-mile connectivity, whether by way of road and rail, still has gaps that need to be filled. ...
Akhilesh promises city after Lord Vishnu to counter BJP's Ram Temple pitch
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has announced that a grand city named after Lord Vishnu would be developed, with a spectacular temple inspired by Cambodia's sprawling Angkor Wat, in the state if his party comes to power. Yadav's comments come after BJP leader and UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya last week raked up the Ram temple issue and suggested there could be a legislative route for its construction in Ayodhya. "We will develop a city in the name of Lord Vishnu over 2,000 acres of land near Lion Safari (Etawah). We have a lot of land in Chambal ravines, and the city will have a grand Vishnu temple that will be a copy of famous Angkor Wat temple," Yadav, a former UP chief minister, told PTI. Earlier, Maurya had said that if the need arises a Bill for the construction of a Ram temple could be brought in the Parliament. The UP deputy chief minister had suggested that the Bill could be brought if there was "no way out" and his party had the adequate strength in both
6th global Buddhist meet in Maharashtra
The "6th International Buddhist Conclave 2018" will be held here on Friday with the participation of over 200 delegates, Buddhist monks, diplomats, researchers and scholars from around 15 nations, an official said here on Thursday.
Villagers clash after morphed images go viral, 25 injured
Twenty-five people have been injured in a clash between villagers of Purba Goalpara and Dangapur over morphed pictures of local women doing the rounds on social media, a police officer said today. Twenty-nine people have been arrested till now in connection with the incident that took place yesterday and raids are on in the two villages, Additional Superintendent of Police(Rural), East Bardhaman, Raj Narayan Mukherjee said. The residents of Dangapur village suspected the involvement of Sheikh Rakibul of neighbouring Purba Goalpara village in uploading the morphed pictures of the women on social networking sites on Tuesday. Sheikh Rakibul's brother Sheikh Hijbullah claimed that the matter had been sorted out at a meeting held in Madanghat Police Station on Tuesday. The police, however, said no such meeting had been held at the police station. Yesterday, some people supporting Sheikh Rakibul clashed with villagers at Dangapur and both the groups attacked each other with ...
Knights of Columbus leader urges church reforms after abuse
The leader of the world's largest Roman Catholic fraternal group is condemning clergy sex abuse and calling for reforms in the church, including a renewed commitment to celibacy by priests. Carl Anderson, supreme knight of the New Haven, Connecticut-based Knights of Columbus, made the comments in what appeared to be an unusual letter to the group's nearly 2 million members on Tuesday. Anderson cited revelations this year including sexual abuse allegations against retired archbishop of Washington, Theodore McCarrick, and a grand jury report accusing church leaders of covering up the abuse of more than 1,000 children or teenagers by some 300 Catholic priests in Pennsylvania since the 1940s. "These sins of commission and omission have sent the Church we love, the Church we serve and the Church that Jesus Christ established into convulsions," Anderson wrote. "Sadly, the disgrace not only is borne by the perpetrators, it hurts us all, as does the silence of shepherds who have ignored the ..
3 held over alleged acid-attack on dietician: police
Two men who allegedly threw acid on a 32-year-old dietician have been arrested by the crime branch here, police said today. A third person, who alleged provided the chemical used in the attack, has also been arrested, they said. The woman suffered 50 per cent burn injuries on her face and other parts of the body and was undergoing treatment at Safdarjung hospital in New Delhi, they said. The incident took place on the evening of August 20 when the victim was returning home after dropping her 4-year-old son at an academy, Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Krishna said. Krishna said that following a tip-off, police arrested Rahul and his accomplice Umang from Hapur 'chungi' around 1.30 pm today. During interrogation, Rahul told police that he came in contact with the lady last year in October on Facebook, according to Krishna. He told police that he was not aware of her marital status, the SSP said. However, later he saw with some person, the SSP said adding because of some ...
Vajpayee's ashes to be immersed in four rivers
: The ashes of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee were brought to the city this evening and will be immersed in the Godavari, Krishna, Musi and Tungabhadra rivers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders handed urns with Vajpayee's ashes to party presidents from across the country at a function in New Delhi earlier today. The urns containing the ashes would be kept at BJP's Telangana headquarters here for people to pay their respects to the departed leader till Friday, BJP MLA G Kishan Reddy told PTI. Tomorrow the ashes would be immersed in Krishna and Musi rivers and on Friday, in the Godavari and Tungabhadra rivers, Reddy said. Teams led by state BJP president K Laxman, former Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Kishan Reddy and others will take out 'asthi kalash yatras' before immersing the ashes in the four rivers tomorrow and Friday.
HC upholds plea of woman who converted to Hinduism from Christianity, cites VHP's role
Allowing a woman's plea for a job under Scheduled Caste quota, a Madras High Court judge has said her conversion from Christianity to Hinduism need not be doubted as it has been done under the auspices of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which he described as "one of the reputed" organisations for Hindu religion. Justice R Suresh Kumar made the observation while directing the Tamil Nadu government to confirm the appointment of the woman, who got a teacher's job in 2005 on the basis of her Scheduled Caste status following conversion to Hinduism two decades ago. He was disposing of a petition from A Megalai of Tiruchirappalli district seeking a direction to the Teachers Recruitment Board to appoint her as Junior Graduate Assistant. The state government argued that Megalai had not submitted any acceptable proof to show that she had been continuously practicing the Hindu custom and that the Hindu community people or some recognised community organisation of Hinduism had accepted her ...
Eid ul-Adha celebrated with traditional fervour in Delhi
Faithfuls gathered in mosques and eidgahs and hordes of people wearing their festive best revelled in streets and market places to celebrate Eid ul-Adha in the city today. From the iconic Jama Masjid and Fathepuri Masjid in Old Delhi to Hazrat Nizamuddin dargah in south Delhi, Muslims offered special prayers ('namaz') in the morning to seek blessings of the almighty. Eid ul-Adha marks the prophet's sacrifice of a lamb after God spared his son prophet Ismail. After the prayers, people exchanged greetings and gifts, and embraced each other in the spirit of harmony. A festive atmosphere prevailed near the Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk areas where people bought sweets and savouries to welcome friends and relatives. Elders offered 'eidee' (money) to children, and markets bustled with activities, as children and their parents jostled to buy toys and other items from shops around mosques. People also gave alms to the needy who had gathered around the mosques and eidgahs. Delhi Chief Minister