Page 160 - Religion Belief
Assamese trader goes missing from Meghalaya market
An Assamese trader has been missing for three days since he had left his shop at a weekly market in West Garo Hills district on Saturday, and it is suspected that he has been abducted, police said today. The trader, Ismail Sheikh hailing from Goalpara in Assam, used to sell clothes at the weekly market at Najing Bazaar here every Saturday. Sheikh apparently left his stall during the market hours last Saturday and never returned and the police have started searching for him, West Garo Hills district SP Dr MGR Kumar said. "We have identified a few suspects and have knowledge that the victim is alive. He has been allowed to speak to his family. We are looking at all aspects of the case," he said. Sheikh made a call from his mobile to his brother in Goalpara saying he had been abducted by some unidentified men who demanded Rs 5 lakh as ransom, the SP said. It appears that the abductors came to his stall posing as buyers and after making some purchase, asked him to get the ...
Politicians express shock over Bhaiyyu Maharaj's death
Political leaders cutting across the party lines expressed shock over the death of spiritual guru Bhaiyyu Maharaj, who allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself in Indore today. "Learnt about the death of spiritual guru Shri Bhaiyyuji Maharaj. I had personal relationship with him. His untimely death is saddening. My humble tributes," Union minister Nitin Gadkari tweeted. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed similar sentiments and hailed the spiritual guru for the "huge work" he did for the deprived in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Fadnavis said farmers and tribals were at the centre of Bhaiyyu Maharaj's activities. "Bhaiyyu Maharaj's work towards land reforms, water conservation, farmers (welfare) and education of children will always be remembered. Tributes to him! "Am part of mourning of his big family and followers," the chief minister said on Twitter. Hailing Bhaiyyu Maharaj for carrying forward the legacy of spirituality in Maharashtra, Leader of the ..
Shab-e-Qadar celebrated across Kashmir with religious fervour
Shab-e-Qadar, the night of power and blessings, was observed across Kashmir valley with religious fervour as the historic Jamia Masjid witnessed the largest congregation of devotees. As part of the festivities, Muslims thronged mosques and shrines across the valley last night for prayers and recitation of the Quran as the holy month of Ramzan enters its last leg. Along with the Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of the city, scores of devout Muslims gathered at Hazratbal, Dast-e-Geer Sahib shrine and Sayed Yaqoob Shah shrine. On Shab-e-Qadar-- the 26th night of Ramzan-- Muslims across the world perform night-long prayers to celebrate the first revelation of Holy Quran to Prophet Mohammad. Preachers and religious scholars highlighted the teachings of Islam and various aspects of the life of the Prophet and urged Muslims to follow the same.
Interference of HR & CE official in spiritual matters on rise:
Stressing the need to retrieve temples from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) department, senior BJP leader H Raja said official interference in spiritual matters in temples was on the rise. The HR and CE officials were not doing enough to enhance the revenue of the temples under their purview, he alleged. Addressing a public meeting at Srirangam near here late last night Raja said, "The officials are supposed to maintain the temples and its properties and generate revenue, but they are interfering in spiritual affairs." He also alleged that several complaints have been made against a few Executive officers of temples including the one in Srirangam. The department has not taken any action against such officials, he charged.
Case against TL BJP MLA for 'inflammatory' video on Iftar
A case was registered against controversial Telangana BJP MLA T Raja Singh Lodh for allegedly posting an "inflammatory" video on the social networking site over 'Iftar' parties, police said today. The city police suo-moto registered the case under IPC section 153A (promoting enmity among people on grounds of religion) against him last night, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Falaknuma Division) Syed Fiyaz told PTI. The MLA from Goshamahal constituency, known for making contentious statements, had posted the video message on a social networking site saying many legislators including from Telanganaare busy hosting 'Iftar' parties, and declared he would neither host nor attend such events. "Those who sit with them (those attending Iftar) are 'vote ke bhikhari' (beggars for vote). My thinking is different," he said in it. Singh said his religion Hinduism taught him to give respect to everyone. "But some religions and their religious books preach to kill Hindus as they are ...
L&T to construct iconic bridge across river Krishna at Amaravati, A.P.
The Heavy Civil Infrastructure business of LEtT Construction will design and construct a 3.2 km, six-lane iconic bridge across the river Krishna, which includes 2.72 km of approach bridges, on EPC basis. The bridge will connect Pavitrasangamam in Vijayawada and N10 Road in Amaravati. The 1,387 crore project was received from Amaravati Development Corporation Limited (ADCL) and L&T has also been entrusted with the operation and maintenance for the bridge for 5 years.
245 couples tie knot in mass wedding in Chhattisgarh
As many as 245 couples from the Hindu and Christian community tied the knot at a mass marriage ceremony organised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur.The ceremony was organised under Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh's mass marriage scheme on Monday.While the Hindu couples were decked in bright colours, mainly flaunting shades of red, those belonging to the Christian community sported a more subtle look.This comes a few months after a mass marriage ceremony was organised in Bastar's Jagdalpur where as many as 1100 couples tied the knot at a ceremony organised under the state government's Mukhyamantri Samuhik Kanya Vivah yojana.Out of 1100 couples, 11 couples were of the Christian community. The wedding for the rest was performed as per the Hindu rituals.
Sustained democracy in India has kept Muslims away from Islamist violence: Akbar
Sustained democracy over the last seven decades is the reason behind Indian Muslims not falling to the "temptations" of Islamist violence, Union minister M J Akbar said today. The ideas of democracy, gender equality, gender empowerment and economic equity, are going to be the substantial answers to the ideology of terrorism, the Minister of State for External Affairs said. "Today, the reason why Indian Muslims are not falling victim to the temptation of Islamist violence is because, and I hope I am not wrong in saying, that Indian Muslims are the only Muslims in the world who have enjoyed seven decades of sustained democracy," Akbar said. He was delivering a keynote address at a seminar on 'Tackling Insurgent Ideologies' organised by the Observer Research Foundation here.
Harmony: Ancient Hindu temple hosts roza-iftar for Muslims
There was no usual chanting of mantras or lighting of earthen lamps at the 'Aarti sthal' of the renowned Mankameshwar temple on the banks of river Gomti here as hundreds of Muslims gathered wearing skull caps were invited to attend a roza-iftar. In a probable first, the temple in the state capital hosted a roza-iftar with chief priest Mahant Devya Giri playing chief host. Setting an example of harmony, brotherhood and peace, the event witnessed over 500 Muslim guests including the Imam of the famous Teeley Wali Masjid, Maulana Fazlul Mannan Rahmani, Maulana Sufiyan Nizami, spokesperson of Darul Uloom Farangi Mahali, Nawab Jafar Mir Abdullah and others. "It's our tradition that both Hindus and Muslims celebrate each other's festivals. This pious month of Ramzan, we are clebrating nine 'Bada Mangal' (nine Tuesdays to worship Lord Hanuman). Our Muslim friends also actively hold 'Bhandaras' (community feast) at many places," Mahant Giri told PTI. By organising iftar for our friends, we ...
Tiny ancient Quran on display in Israel for Ramadan
A tiny 10th century Quran is on display for the first time as part of a collection of Islamic texts being shown at Israel's National Library to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Curator Raquel Ukeles said this week that the exhibition is aimed at drawing attention to Islam and minority cultures in the Jewish state. Ukeles says the Quran is "fragile, but well-preserved" and is special because it was written without punctuation. She says it likely served as "a religious talisman." The Quran is only 68 by 37 millimetres (2.5 inches by 1.5 inches) in size. Islam is the dominant faith of Israel's Arab minority, which makes up around a fifth of its population, and of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Pope begins purge in Chile church over sex abuse scandal
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of the bishop at the center of Chile's clerical sex abuse scandal and two others as he launches the purge of a church that has lost its credibility under an avalanche of accusations of abuse and cover-up. A Vatican statement today said Francis had accepted the resignations of Bishop Juan Barros of Osorno, Bishop Gonzalo Duarte of Valparaiso and Bishop Cristian Caro of Puerto Montt. Of the three, only the 61-year-old Barros is below the retirement age of 75. Barros has been at the center of Chile's growing scandal ever since Francis appointed him bishop of Osorno in 2015 even though he had been a lieutenant of Chile's most notorious predator priest and had been accused by victims of witnessing and ignoring their abuse.
Only those "begging for vote" host Iftar parties, says TL BJP
Only those "begging for vote" host Iftar parties, controversial Telangana BJP MLA T Raja Singh Lodh said today, declaring he would neither host nor attend such events. Known for making contentious statements, the MLA from Goshamahal constituency in Hyderabad posted a video message on a social networking site where he said one of his friends suggested him to hold an Iftar party like many other lawmakers do during the holy month of Ramzan. "These days many Telangana legislators are busy hosting Iftar parties, wearing skull caps and taking selfies. They think if they have to do vote bank politics, they will have to think of 'sabka saath, sabha vikas' (together will all, development for all). "This is their thinking. Those who sit with them (those attending Iftar) are 'vote ke bhikhari' (beggars for vote). My thinking is different," he said. Singh said his religion Hinduism taught giving respect to everyone. "But some religions and their religious books preach to kill ...
Lucknow's Mankameshwar temple hosts Iftar
Spreading a message of communal harmony, Mankameshwar temple hosted Iftar for Muslims in the city on Sunday evening.This is the first time when a Temple hosted an Iftar.Talking to ANI, Mahant Divya Giri of the temple said Ramazan is a pious month and "we should celebrate every festival with great zeal.""By helping the ones on fast, people will earn 'punya'. Everybody should also take part in it irrespective of their caste," she said."This is very good deed to break someone's Roza. The way this vent has been organised is commendable. This initiative will strengthen the bond between Hindu and Muslims," said Imam Abdul Mannan.
5,000 saplings to be planted at Nepal's Pashupatinath temple
Nepal will plant 5,000 saplings in the iconic Pashupatinath temple premises with an objective of beautifying the fifth-century world heritage site with greenery. The temple is regarded as the most sacred and oldest temple of Lord Shiva (Pashupati) in Nepal. The temple is located on the banks of the Bagmati river. Minister for Culture and Tourism Rabindra Adhikari initiated the campaign to plant saplings. Two hundred and fifty saplings of various species including Belpatra, Lothsallo, Chilaune, Lapsi and Parijat were planted at Mrigasthali area of the temple, according to Pravin Dhakal, chief of the Pashupati Area Development Trust. The trust has decided to allow people to plant saplings in the Pashupati area on special occasions. The Pashupatinath temple is the holy Hindu shrine where hundreds of thousands of people from different parts of India and Nepal visit annually.
Japan's Ambassador to India offers prayer at Mahabodhi temple
Japan's Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu today visited Bodh Gaya and offered prayer at the Mahabodhi Temple. "Japan's Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu offered prayer at the sanctum sanctorum of Mahabodhi Temple here. Hiramatsu also meditated under the Mahabodhi tree," Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) Secretary N Dorje said. The Japanese Ambassador was welcomed by Magadh Division Commissioner T N Bindeshwari, DM Abhishek Kumar Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajesh Mishra, Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) Secretary N Dorje and others. The Magadh Division Commissioner presented a memento and 'Khada', a kind of white cloth considered as religious, to the Ambassador.
Pope prays for successful Trump-Kim summit
Pope Francis has prayed that the summit this week between the US and North Korean leaders succeeds in laying the groundwork for peace. Francis expressed hope today that Tuesday's talks between US President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore will "contribute to the development of a positive path that will assure a future of peace for the Korean Peninsula and the entire world." He invited the thousands of faithful in St Peter's Square to pray with him so that the Virgin Mary "accompany these talks." Francis said he wanted yet again to send "a special thought in friendship and prayer" to the beloved Korean people.
SCO adopts joint appeal to youth to counter attempts to involve them in terror activities
India and other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) today adopted a Joint Appeal to Youth under which they would organise comprehensive educational work as well as spiritual and moral education to counter attempts to involve young people in the activities of terrorist, separatist and extremist groups. The leaders of the eight SCO member states signed the Qingdao Declaration at the end of a two-day summit which was also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin among others. At the proposal of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev the SCO summit adopted Joint Appeal by the Heads of State of the SCO to Youth. The initiative was first announced by the Uzbek President in 2017. "The Member States have noted the importance of combining the efforts of the international community in countering attempts to involve young people in the activities of terrorist, separatist and extremist groups," said the Qingdao
UAE president makes rare appearance
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has met with family members in France, UAE media reported Sunday, one of his rare appearances since a stroke in 2014. The official WAM news agency published photos of white-bearded Abu Dhabi Emir Sheikh Khalifa, 70, chatting with relatives at his residence in the French resort town of Evian. Sheikh Khalifa in 2004 succeeded his father, the late UAE founding president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, as ruler of Abu Dhabi -- the largest and wealthiest of the seven-member United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Khalifa has previously made only one public appearance since undergoing an operation following a stroke in January 2014, marking the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday last year. Khalifa has withdrawn from day-to-day decisions, allowing his half-brother and crown prince, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, to assume greater power.
Four Dera Sacha Sauda followers arrested for Faridkot sacrilege incidents
Four followers of Dera Sacha Sauda have been arrested in connection with the 2015 incidents of sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib in Burj Jawahar Singh Wala and Bargari villages of Faridkot district, police sources said today. The four men were arrested by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Punjab police from Himachal Pradesh's Palampur district, Kotkapura in Faridkot and Mansa near Bathinda. They are suspected to be the prime accused in the case, the sources said. One of the arrested Dera followers was booked by the Panchkula police for violence following the conviction of the sect's chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in August last year, the police sources added. He was arrested on Thursday, while the other three were arrested yesterday, they said. On June 2, 2015, an FIR was registered at police station Baja Khana after the Guru Granth Sahib was stolen from a gurdwara in Burj Jawahar Singh Wala. On October 12, 2015, torn pages of the Guru Granth Sahib were found in Bargari. In the ...
Waking up the neighbours: Indonesia's Ramadan alarm clocks
Most of Jakarta is fast asleep at 2:00 am, but for Fajar Ramadin and his pint-sized comrades it's time to wake up the neighbourhood. The motley group of children yell and bang on tambourines and drums as they roam the quiet streets of Indonesia's capital on a mission to stir sleeping residents for a pre-dawn meal. It is Ramadan and millions across the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation are abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking or sex during daylight hours. The morning meal, known as Sahur, can be crucial to making it through until sunset without food or drink. "Sahur! Sahur! Please wake up sir, madam!" hollers the 20-strong group of kids, aged seven to 15. It's music to the ears of dozens of other children who stream out of their houses to join in, adding the thump of empty paint cans and water jugs to the ensemble. "This tradition has been around for a long time -- every kid is happy to do it," said 13-year-old Ramadin. "I like it because this not only entertains people, but .