Page 137 - Religion Belief
Finally, Muslim husband performs 'shradh' for departed Hindu wife
A Muslim man, Imtiazur Rahman, who was denied permission to perform the final rites of his dead Hindu wife at a temple here last week because of his religion, has finally been able to hold the ceremony with the help of a Bengali philanthropic cultural society in Delhi.
Evidence against Bishop Franco in rape case: Police
As per the initial investigation of the police, Roman Catholic Bishop of Jalandhar Franco Mulakkal abused his position and repeatedly raped a nun from Kerala, a special team probing the case told the Kerala high court today. Responding to a petition seeking speedy investigation, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kottayam, K Subhash informed the court that the investigation was proceeding effectively and impartially. After the submission by the officer, the HC disposed of the petition with a direction to the police to investigate the case properly. The government counsel told Justice B Sudheendra Kumar that a decision on arresting Mulakkal, who has so far claimed innocence, will be taken after he is interrogated and evidence is examined. In the statement, Subhash said he and his team would continue their investigation in Jalandhar. The police statement was based on initial investigation and available evidence. It is revealed that the accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal committed unnatural ...
Pakistan-born bishop voices support for partial-ban on burqas in UK
A Pakistan-born bishop in the UK has called for a near-total ban on wearing of burqas in public places in the country as he backed former British foreign secretary Boris Johnson's criticism of the practice, according to a media report. Michael Nazir-Ali, the former Bishop of Rochester, said the burqas should be outlawed in a wide range of situations where people interact, including in hospitals, doctors surgeries, universities and schools, Daily Express reported. Earlier this month, Johnson triggered a controversy when he wrote in a newspaper column that women in burqas resemble "bank robbers" and "letter boxes." Ali said for "reasons of national security alone" the burqa should not be allowed in Parliament or even town halls. "We have all seen how even male terrorists have escaped arrest by donning a burqa and making an effective getaway," he said. He added: "It is true that some women choose to wear the burqa or niqab because they feel it makes them more observant Muslims. It is ...
Muslim scholars, youths appeal to govt to involve them in national security policy
The Muslim Students Organisation of India (MSOI), a conglomerate of Muslim students and youths in India, appealed to the government to involve the community's youth in national security policy and cautioned about certain extremist ideologies which led to terrorism. At a day-long conference held here yesterday, Muslim scholars and youths deliberated about the issues faced by the community, stressing that efforts should be made to maintain social harmony. They also favoured the implementation of the Sufi spiritual experiments in this context, a release issued by the MSOI said. Mufti Ashfaq Hussain, the president of Tanzeem Ulama-E-Islam and the president of the assembly, said the country and the world were under serious threat from certain extremist ideologies which led to terrorism. "If the Indian government wants to understand, we can help them. The love of Muslims increases with the country while it gets a share in the policy. Participation in the policy should be considered than ...
Bakri Eid to be celebrated on August 23
The festival of Eid al-Adha will be celebrated across the country on August 23, the Jama Masjid said on Sunday.Also known as Bakri Eid, Eid al-Adha or the festival of sacrifice is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide with special prayers, greetings, and gifts.On the occasion, Muslims sacrifice a sheep or goat and share the meat with their family, neighbours and the poor.The special occasion is celebrated in different countries on varying dates..
Patanjali MD urges sternest punishment for impersonators
A day after the Noida police nabbed a youth for impersonating the Managing Director of Patanjali Ayurved Limited, Acharya Balkrishna on Facebook, the latter demanded the sternest punishment for the accused."People such as this who indulge in such malicious activities should receive harsh punishment. Even the government should look into the matter so that such incidents don't take place in the future," he told reporters here.Balkrishna also thanked the Noida police for taking prompt action against the accused."There have been some impersonators who have been indulging in indecent conversations online with my female followers in an attempt to tarnish his image and that of the company's," he added.Soon after the youth was arrested by the Noida police, Patanjali spokesperson SK Tijarawala claimed that a deliberate effort was being made to defame religious leaders, and called for stern action against the accused."What has happened is against the culture, religion, and values of Indian ...
Japanese town named after Hindu goddess Lakshmi: Consul General
'Kichijoi', a town near Tokyo in Japan, was named after Hindu goddess Lakshmi, consort of Hindu god Vishnu," said Takayuki Kitagawa, Consul General of Japan, on Sunday.
Tribals not to be denied quota benefits after conversion to various religions: Oram
The Centre has no plans to deprive Scheduled Tribe people, converted to Hinduism, Islam or Christianity of the reservation benefits, said Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram. Speaking to reporters here yesterday, Oram said, "At a meeting of the BJP ST Morcha held in Delhi a few days back, it was demanded that the people of Scheduled Tribes, who get converted to Hinduism, Islam or Christianity should not get the benefits of reservation." But, the Centre's stand is clear on this, he said. The tribals, who get converted to various religions, will continue to get the reservation benefits, he added.
Guru Nanak's 550th birth anniversary will be celebrated across globe: Swaraj
Guru Nanak Dev's 550th birth anniversary will celebrated across the globe with all Indian embassies and missions hosting programmes to spread his message of brotherhood and sharing, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said today. Swaraj, while speaking at a 'gurbani kirtan' organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations together with the World Punjabi Organisation (WPO), said that in this era of protectionism, there can be no better message than Guru Nanak Dev's message of sharing. "In this turbulent world, where violence and killings are prevalent, where people are being massacred in the name of religion, through this anniversary celebration, we want to spread the message of Guru Nanak and other Sikh Gurus in the world," she said. Swaraj said that this message would be spread through seminars, 'gurbani kirtan' and other such programmes. "After a few days we will start celebrating the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. I want to tell you, that we will celebrate Guru ...
Muslim speakers call for greater inclusion of community in national security issues
Speakers at a conference hosted by a Muslim students' organisation in Delhi today called for greater inclusion of the community in matters related to the national security. The Muslim Students Organisation of India (MSOI) hosted the day-long conference to appeal for strengthening of the national security policy. Syed Muhammad Qadri, the chief speaker at the conference and former MSO president, lamented what he said was a wrong perception being created of Muslims. "A perception is being created in the country most of the time that Indian Muslims are not responsible citizens, whereas our claim is that the inclusion of Muslims in the national security policy will be an accurate assessment of the role of Muslim youth towards national unity. "Why do we need to join the ISIS or other organisations? Our ideal is not Osama Bin Laden but Khwaja Garib Nawaz and will continue to be be till eternity," he said. Qadri urged youngsters present at the programme to fight the forces involved in ...
'Chhari Mubarak' taken to ancient Sharika-Bhawani temple
'Chhari Mubarak', the saffron-robed holy mace of Lord Shiva, was today taken to the ancient 'Sharika-Bhawani' temple on the Hari Parbat hillock in downtown area of the city here for offering special prayers as per the age-old customs related to the annual Amarnath Yatra. Carried by its custodian Mahant Deependra Giri and accompanied by a group of sadhus and devotees, the holy mace was taken to the temple to pay obeisance to the Goddess on the occasion of 'Shravan Shukla Paksha Pradipada', as per the age-old traditions, a spokesman of the 'True Trust', founded by Giri in 2004, said. He said Goddess 'Sharika-Bhawani', popularly known as 'Tripursundari' amongst the mystics, is believed to be 'Isht Devi' (Presiding Deity) of the Srinagar city who manifested herself in a figure of 'Shila' (holy rock) at Hari-Parbat. Sadhus, who participated in the pujan, prayed for everlasting peace for Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesman said. He said rituals connected with 'Chhari-Sthapana' would be ...
Muslim man stopped from offering Namaz for participating in Kanwar yatra; 3 held
A Muslim man, who took part in Kanwar yatra, was allegedly stopped from offering Namaz at a mosque here, prompting the police to arrest three persons in this regard. "I had gone to Haridwar as a Kanwar and offered water at the temples. On Friday, when I went to a mosque, some people assaulted me and stopped me from offering Namaz. They even forced me to run away from there," Babu Khan said in his complaint registered with the police. Khan, a resident of Racharh village of the district, alleged that after he was beaten up, his wife and children went to their relatives. When contacted, inspector Devendra Bisht said, "On the complaint lodged by Babu Khan, three persons have been arrested for disrupting peace, while another person is absconding." Police along with prominent citizens of the area are making efforts to resolve the matter through talks. At present, the atmosphere in the village is absolutely peaceful, Bisht added. The accused persons, however, alleged that Babu Khan was ...
Hyderabad: NIA arrests two for link with ISIS
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday arrested two people here, for allegedly planning acts of terror on the instructions of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a proscribed terrorist organisation.The accused, Mohammed Abdullah Basith (24) and Mohammed Abdul Qhadeer (19), came under the radar of the security agency after it received information from a reliable source that the accused are associated with a group of three youth who were arrested from Maharashtra's Nagpur airport two years back for allegedly training youth to carry out terrorist attacks.The NIA also conducted raids at as many as seven places on August 6 in Hyderabad. A lot of incriminating material was recovered and seized. The same has been sent to CFSL Hyderabad for analysis and data extraction.In 2016, NIA arrested Sheikh Azhar ul Islam, Mohammed Farhan Shaikh and Adnan Hassan for identifying, motivating, radicalising, recruiting and training Indian Muslim youth on behalf of the proscribed outfit ISIS .
Why people fall for 'fake news' decoded
Belief systems that people develop early in life to help protect against the anxiety and stress of an uncertain world may help explain why some individuals fall victim to 'fake news', scientists say. The key to people's accepting fake news as true, despite evidence to the contrary, is a phenomenon known as confirmation bias, or the tendency for people to seek and accept information that confirms their existing beliefs while rejecting or ignoring that which contradicts those beliefs, researchers said. Many of these beliefs and biases are formed early in life when children begin to distinguish between fantasy and reality, according to Eve Whitmore, a developmental psychologist with Western Reserve Psychological Associates in the US. "At its core is the need for the brain to receive confirming information that harmonizes with an individual's existing views and beliefs," said Mark Whitmore, an assistant professor at Kent State University in the US. "In fact, one could say the brain is ...
'Spanish Mosque' in Hy'bad to open for all on I-Day
The over a century-old Jama Masjid Aiwan-E-Begumpet here will be thrown open to people from all religions this Independence Day for a guided tour, a move aimed at promoting inter-faith harmony. Popularly known as the 'Spanish Mosque' for its Moorish architecture, the heritage masjid, for the first time, has invited people from all religions to visit it on August 15, between 10 am and 7 pm, as part of the 'Visit My Mosque' programme, an official said. The 112-year old historic mosque in Begumpet area, maintained by the Paigahs, an aristocratic family, was built in 1906 and known for its intrinsic beauty and unique architectural style blending Moorish and Turkish features. "We invite people from all religions to attend the 'Visit My Mosque' programme. This initiative promotes national integrity and communal harmony and it is an opportunity to meet, share and experience the values and culture of the Indian Muslim community," M A Faiz Khan, a member of the Paigah family and 'mutavalli' ..
Egypt charges defrocked monk for killing bishop
Prosecutors in Egypt have charged a defrocked monk with the murder of a Coptic Christian Bishop at a desert monastery, the media reported.
China delays mosque demolition after protest
Authorities in northern China delayed the demolition of a massive mosque today after thousands of people demonstrated to stop its destruction, local residents said, amid a nationwide government drive to tighten restrictions on religious activities. Across China, officials have sought to limit religious freedoms for Muslims as part of a widespread attempt to bring believers in line with the dictates of the ruling Communist Party. Protesters began gathering Thursday ahead of a deadline to demolish the grand mosque in the town of Weizhou in the northern Ningxia region, local residents said. Videos posted on social media in recent days showed protesters gathering in front of the building as police with riot shields stood by. Holding Chinese flags, they sat quietly on the building's steps and milled around a large plaza, before heading to Friday night prayers, according to the videos, which could not be verified by AFP. "The government said it's an illegal building, but it's not. The ...
UAE to observe International Youth Day
Abu Dhabi, Aug 11 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will on Sunday observe "International Youth Day", highlighting the great importance attached to the welfare and progress of the youth.
Dharma ensures progress of humanity, sustains society: CJI
Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said today that dharma sustains society and maintains social order, besides ensures well-being and progress of humanity. "Dharma is a concept that cannot be adequately translated in English or any other language. It sustains society, maintains social order and ensures well-being, besides progress of humanity," Justice Misra said after inaugurating a two-day conference on 'Human Values and The Legal World' here. More than 30 sitting judges of the Supreme Court and various high courts, besides more than 750 delegates from legal fraternity, are attending the conference, which is said to be the first-of-its-kind in India. Making distinction between human values and human rights, Justice Misra said one can only enjoy human rights when he or she do not bend others' rights. "There is distinction between human values and human rights. We need to protect human rights by expressing human values. One can enjoy one's human rights without bending the human ...
Dalai Lama concerned over sectarian clashes in Middle East
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today rued sectarian clashes among Muslims in the Middle East, saying killing in the name of religion is unthinkable. He emphasised that developing oneness amongpeople would solve various crisis the world is facing today. Referring to countries like Afghanistan, Syria and other Islamic nations, the Dalai Lama said, "They all follow the same god Allah, same Quran, every day (offer) five time prayers. Yet they are killing each other. It's unthinkable, really. Killing due to political power or economic interest is somewhat understandable. In the name of religion killing each other is unthinkable. But it is a fact and it is happening," he said. The Dalai Lama was delivering a lecture here on the topic 'Courage and compassion in the 21st century', which was organised by Vana Foundation under their Vidyaloke initiative. Emphasising that developing oneness among seven billion people is his major commitment, he was all praise for India for