Page 143 - Religion Belief
Trump tweets warning for Turkey
Continuing with his twitter diplomacy the president of United States Donald Trump warned Turkey to release a long-detained Pastor Andrew Brunson or face sanctions."The United States will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson, a great Christian, family man and wonderful human being. He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately!" Trump tweeted.This comes after on Sunday (local time), President Trump threatened his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani hours after he cautioned the US about pursuing hostile policies against Tehran.
BRICS grouping agrees to combat the menace of corruption
Corruption remains a global challenge with long-lasting impact, including the undermining of legal systems of states, India and four other members of the BRICS grouping said today as they vowed to combat the menace. Underlining the need to enhance BRICS anti-corruption cooperation, the five member nations signed the Johannesburg Declaration, saying, corruption also presents a threat to economic growth by discouraging the necessary local and foreign investment in a country. The declaration reaffirmed the commitment of the grouping - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to international cooperation under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption as well as under the BRICS Working Group on Anticorruption Cooperation. Subject to the domestic legal systems of the BRICS member nations, they agreed to cooperate in anti-corruption law enforcement, extradition of fugitives, economic and corruption offenders and repatriation in matters relating to assets recovery and other ...
Bharat Soka Gakkai holds peace symposium in Ahmedabad
The Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG), the Indian affiliate of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a global organisation promoting peace, today held a symposium here. Dignitaries, during the symposium, shared their views on this year's peace proposal, titled "Era of Human Rights: Building a People's Movement", submitted by SGI president Daisaku Ikeda to the United Nations on January 26. Bharat Soka Gakkai chairperson Vishesh Gupta said that this was the 36th peace proposal submitted to the UN by Ikeda. Ikeda, in the peace proposal, has urged the UN to focus on key issues such as climate change, rights of refugees and their children, women's equality as well as the rights of the elderly, Gupta told reporters ahead of the symposium. "This is a proposal made for the entire world, keeping global issues in mind. We are giving a direction based on which a road map can be developed by each country depending on their situation" said Gupta. Prominent speakers who shared their views with the .
KTK CM offers prayers to Lord Venkateswara
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy accompanied by his father and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, tonight offered prayers at the Lord Venkateswara shrine near here. Kumaraswamy's brother and minister H D Revanna and other family members accompanied them, temple sources said. They arrived here this evening on a 16-hour pilgrimage to the hill temple. A temple official said they would again visit the shrine and take part in the Suprabhatha recitation ritual performed to the presiding deity in the early hours tomorrow. Before leaving for Bengaluru, Gowda, Kumaraswamy, and Revanna would also offer prayers at the Sri Padmavathi shrine at Tiruchanur tomorrow morning, the official added.
SC praises lawyer for spirited defence in Sabarimala case
The Supreme Court today praised a lawyer for his spirited defence of the practice of banning entry of women in the age group of 10-50 into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, which is hearing pleas challenging the bar on the entry of women of the particular age group into the over 800 year-old temple, commended lawyer Sai Deepak, who represented 'People for Dharma' and NGO 'Chetna' in the matter. "Your arguments are impressive, I must admit that," Justice Misra observed. The lawyer, who was initially granted 10-15 minutes time in the forenoon to put forth his submissions, argued for more than one-and-half hours without being asked by any of the judges to stop and was quick to respond to queries from the bench. Arguing for the "constitutional right" of Lord Ayappa, he said the deity's will to remain celibate needed to be respected under Articles 21 (right to life and personal liberty) and 25(1) (freedom of religion) of ..
Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala too has rights under Article 21, SC told
The Supreme Court was told on Thursday that it could not interfere with the practice of prohibiting women in the age group of 10 to 50 years from entering in the Sabarimala temple where the idol of Lord Ayyappa is in a state of "Naishtika Brahmacharya" as it was an essential part of temple customs.
Can't remain oblivious to ban on entry of women into Sabarimala: SC
The Supreme Court today said irrespective of the submissions that Lord Ayyappa of the Sabarimala temple has "celibate character", it cannot remain "oblivious" of the fact that the entry of women in the age group of 10-50 was barred on "physiological ground" of menstruation. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, however, termed as "impressive" the persuasive and vehement submissions of advocate Sai Deepak, appearing for People for Dharma and NGO Chetna that Lord Ayyapa being a "juristic person" has the right to preserve his "brahmacharya" (celibate) character under the Constitution. "Your (lawyer) arguments are impressive, I must admit that," the CJI observed. "But, the court can't be oblivious of the fact of the case that a class of women is disallowed due to physiological reasons (menstruation)," the bench, which also comprised justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra, said. The bench, which was hearing pleas of Indian ...
Parliament declares holiday tomorrow
Parliament will not be in session tomorrow on account of Guru Poornima. The holiday was declared in the Rajya Sabha by Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and in the Lok Sabha, by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. The two Houses would now assemble on Monday. "Taking the sense of the House", the Speaker said that the Lok Sabha would not have its session on Friday in view of Guru Poornima. Similarly in the Rajya Sabha, the Chairman made the announcement for the holiday saying "we have just got a message from Lok Sabha that it would not be in session on Friday on account of Guru Poornima.
Debunk eclipse myths with selfies, experts say
Astronomers have appealed to Indians to upload selfies with the hashtag #EclipseEating while enjoying food during the longest eclipse of the 21st century on Friday, in a bid to dispel the myths and superstitions surrounding the celestial event. The total phase of the "blood moon" eclipse of July 27 will last one hour and 43 minutes, during which Earth's natural satellite will turn a spectacular red or ruddy-brown colour. From start to finish, the entire celestial event will last nearly four hours. However, existing superstitions and myths among the people in India keeps them from witnessing one of the most beautiful phenomenon of universe. "Unfortunately among people there are lot of false beliefs or superstitions about eclipses. There are beliefs that we should not go out and see them, we should not eat during eclipse etc," said Niruj Mohan Ramanujam from National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Pune. "Eclipse is the time when we ...
Former nuns give clean chit to Bishop Mulakkal
Former nuns, who have quit the Catholic ministry, have given a clean chit to the Bishop, who has been accused of sexually abusing a Kerala nun, police said on Thursday.
Shahi Imam, 2 others booked for threatening triple talaq victim in UP
The Bareilly Shahar Imam, who issued a fatwa against a triple talaq victim, and two others have been booked on charges of threatening and hurting religious sentiments of the woman. An FIR was registered yesterday on the basis of a complaint by social activist and triple talaq victim Nida Khan at the Baradari police station against her husband Sheeran Raza Khan, Shahar Imam Mufti Mohammad Khurshid Alam and Mufti Afzal Rizvi, police said. The case was registered under IPC sections related to "deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion, statements conducing to public mischief and intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace", they said. On July 16, at a press conference here, the Imam of Bareilly's Jama Masjid said a fatwa has been issued against Nida Khan for speaking against Islam and its practices. "Nida Khan has been ostracised from Islam because she has been regularly speaking against the religion ...
Lawyer on Sabrimala entry: SC should not interfere in religious practices
The Pandalam Royal family on Thursday has challenged the petition seeking entry of women to the Sabarimala Temple, terming it to be 'mischievous' as seem to be targeting the practices of the Hindu faith.Advocate Radhakrishnan, arguing for the Pandalam Royal family, told the Supreme Court that it should not interfere with the religious practices that have been in place for generations."The petition, seeking entry of women in the age group of 10-50 to the Sabarimala temple, is mischievous since they seem to be targeting only the practices of the Hindu faith.The Apex Court should not interfere with religious practices which have been practised for generations together," Radhakrishnan said during the argument.While opposing the petition filed by the Indian Young Lawyers' Association (IYLA), Radhakrishnan argued that the "Will of God requires tapasya", that is 41 days of penance in case of the Sabarimala temple."A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday continued to .
Geoff Wain holds interfaith dialogue in Ajmer
British Deputy High Commissioner to Gujarat and Rajasthan Geoff Wain held an interfaith dialogue with representatives from the Muslim, Hindu and Christian communities in Ajmer Sharif Dargah today. The main purpose for the visit to Ajmer Sharif Dargah was to understand how inter faith dialogue is conducted there and how this has resulted in the shrine's international reputation for harmonious communal relations, an official from the high commission said today. The visit and dialogue was held yesterday. The deputy high commissioner was impressed with the communication between the various communities and the culture of inclusion fostered through many years of activity by the Dargah, the officer said. Bilal Chisti, a khadim in the shrine of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti, hosted the British delegation. The regular interaction among people of different faiths and beliefs is important to fill the gap with love and trust. I spoke about how Muslim Sufis have preached tolerance, brotherhood and ...
Sabarimala temple row: Hindu outfits call for state-wide strike
Various Hindu outfits in Kerala on Wednesday called for a state-wide strike on July 30 against the state government's decision supporting women's entry inside the Sabarimala temple.The organisations like Ram Sena, Hanuman Sena, Ayyappa Dharma Sena and Vishal Vishwakarma Aikya Vedi called for strike after the Kerala government told the court that it supports the entry of women inside the Sabarimala temple.The hearing of the issue in this regards is underway in the Supreme Court.Earlier in the day, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra questioned senior counsel K Parasaran as to "why are women excluded from entering it (Sabarimala temple)?"To which Parasaran argued that "the right of State to make laws to throw open Hindu Temples to all classes and sections of Hindus does not include women within its scope".On July 18, the apex court observed that banning the entry of women in Sabarimala by the temple authorities is unconstitutional.Top Court Judge DY Chandrachud also said that the ..
Allowing women into Sabarimala temple will alter its basic character, SC told
The Supreme Court was told on Wednesday that restriction on the entry of women in the reproductive age group of 10 to 50 years in Sabarimala temple is justified as Lord Ayyappa as "Naishtika Brahmachari" (perennial celibate) does not welcome their presence as it may disturb his penance.
'Golden' offering to Goddess on July 29
Telangana Animal Husbandry Minister T Srinivas Yadav today said a golden 'bonam' (offering) would be made to the goddess at the Ujjain Mahankali temple at Secunderabad on July 29. Nizamabad MP K Kavitha would make the offering to the goddess, a state government release quoted him as saying. The 'bonam' is being prepared with 3.8 kg of gold offered to the goddess by devotees,. The 'bonalu' festival is celebrated usually during the month of 'Ashada' that falls in July/August. Goddess Mahakali is worshipped on the occasion. Women prepare rice, cooked along with milk and jaggery, in a new earthern or brass pot which is adorned with neem leaves and others. Women carry the pots on their heads and make an offering of 'bonam' to the goddess.
Celibate nature of Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala temple protected by Constitution, SC told
The celibate nature of Sabarimala temple's presiding deity Lord Ayyappa is protected by the Constitution, the Supreme Court was today told by a society which opposed a plea seeking entry of women of all age groups into the shrine. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was told by former Attorney General and senior advocate K Parasaran, appearing for the Nair Service Society, that the only consideration was the "celibate nature of deity" and which has to be preserved. "Lord Ayyappa's character as a 'Naishtika Brahmachari' (eternal celibate) is protected by the Constitution," he told the bench which also comprised justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra. "Those coming to the Sabarimala temple should not come in the company of young women. Children, mother, sisters are exceptions. The reason is that those coming to the temple must not follow the 'brahmcharya' (celibacy) but also they must appear to follow it," the senior ...
Interpol fails to issue Red Corner Notice against Zakir Naik
The Interpol has failed to issue a Red Corner Notice against Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, accused of encouraging and aiding his followers to promote enmity and hatred between different religious communities and groups. Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said in Rajya Sabha that a request for issuance of Red Corner Notice was sent to the Interpol on May 19, 2017. Clarifications were sought by the international police organisation on August 10 last year and was provided on Oct0ber 6 the same year. However, during the 102nd session of the Interpol Commission from December 24-27, 2017, the world body opined that the issuance of RCN for Naik's arrest, with a view to his extradition, was pre-mature, since the charge sheet had not been filed till the sending of the original request for RCN to the Interpol, Ahir said. "A fresh warrant was issued by the Court against Zakir Naik...and a fresh request of Red Corner Notice was sent to the Interpol on January 3, 2018. No further ...
Boys rescued from Thai cave ordained at Buddhist temple
The young soccer teammates and their coach who were rescued after being trapped in a cave in northern Thailand have been ordained at a Buddhist temple, a merit-making activity to show thanks for their rescue. The 11 boys, ages 11 to 16, became Buddhist novices in a Wednesday ceremony, while their 25-year-old coach was ordained as a monk. One boy did not participate because he isn't Buddhist. The group prepared for their ordinations on Tuesday with ceremonies that included shaving their heads. Buddhist males in Thailand are traditionally expected to enter the monkhood at some point in their lives. A major reason for the boys to make the gesture was to give thanks for the former Thai navy SEAL who died while taking part in the operation to rescue them.
Arrests skyrocketed in China's Muslim far west in 2017
Arrests skyrocketed by more than 730 per cent last year in China's far-western Xinjiang as the government ramped up a security crackdown in the traditionally Muslim region, activists said today. The ruling Communist Party has justified increasingly tight policing of Xinjiang by saying it faces a threat from Islamic extremism and separatism, but many Muslims in the region accuse Beijing of religious and cultural repression. Authorities in Xinjiang arrested nearly 228,000 people on criminal charges in 2017, according to data compiled from official government sources by rights group China Human Rights Defenders (CHRD). That's around 21 percent of all arrests in China last year, the group said, even though the sparsely populated region has only around 1.5 percent of China's nearly 1.4 billion population. The dramatic increase in arrests followed the introduction of draconian new restrictions on religious practices in Xinjiang, where about half the population of around 22 million are ...