Page 161 - Religion Belief
Austria to close 7 mosques
Austria has announced decision to close seven mosques in the country, citing suspected violations of laws banning foreign financing of Muslim institutions.
Frenchman commits suicide at Mecca's Grand Mosque
A Frenchman has committed suicide by throwing himself off the roof of the Grand Mosque in Islam's holiest city of Mecca, Saudi and French officials said today. "A foreigner threw himself from the roof of the Grand Mosque in Mecca" to the courtyard below, "resulting in his instant death", Saudi police told the official SPA news agency. A French foreign ministry official told AFP in Paris that the dead man was French but gave no further details. The rare act was not the first of its kind to take place in Mecca, the holiest city in Islam -- which, like other monotheistic religions, prohibits suicide. The body was transported to hospital, with an investigation underway "to determine the victim's identity, what led to the act and how he was able to commit it despite the existence of a metal fence", SPA said. Last year, a Saudi man tried to set himself on fire in front of the Kaaba -- the square stone building in the centre of the mosque compound -- but was stopped by security forces. Every
Chinese President hosts welcome dinner for SCO guests
Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted a dinner here on Saturday to welcome guests ahead of the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Inter-faith chanting: India, Bhutan celebrate golden jubilee of friendship
Not a conventional diplomatic dialogue, but a unique inter-faith chanting event today marked the golden-jubilee anniversary of the establishment of the formal diplomatic relations between Indian and Bhutan here at the picturesque Kunesel Phodrang (Buddha Point). The event, 'Thuendrel: Inter-Faith Chanting', which is a part of the year-long celebrations observing the 50 years of India-Bhutan friendship, saw artistes from both the countries performing Buddhist chanting, vedic-chanting and gurbani. "Today we pay tribute to our common spiritual and religious tradition that from the time of our ancestors have given meaning to our temporal lives. In the region, that we call our own, different faiths have co-existed and flourished for thousands of years," Jaideep Sarkar, Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, said during the event. He further added that the inter-faith dialogue was an "old concept" and referred to the Milinda Panha (Questions of Milinda), which was a Buddhist text that purportedly ...
Man commits suicide at Mecca's Grand Mosque
A man has committed suicide by throwing himself off the roof of the Grand Mosque in Islam's holiest city of Mecca, Saudi police said today. "A foreigner threw himself from the roof of the Grand Mosque in Mecca" to the courtyard below, "resulting in his instant death", state news agency SPA said, quoting police. The rare act was not the first of its kind to take place in Mecca, the holiest city in Islam -- which, like other monotheistic religions, prohibits suicide. The body was transported to hospital, with an investigation underway "to determine the victim's identity, what led to the act and how he was able to commit it despite the existence of a metal fence", SPA said. Last year, a Saudi man tried to set himself on fire in front of the Kaaba -- the square stone building in the centre of the mosque compound -- but was stopped by security forces. Every year, millions of Muslim pilgrims from across the world travel to Mecca and Medina, Islam's second holiest site, also in western Saudi
People of country share common value system;Nirmala Sitharaman
People of the country share the common value system and culturally they are one, though they speak in different languages, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said here today. "That cultural oneness is what that has kept us together," she said. She referred to descriptions and episodes in 'Bhagavata' and worship of Lord Krishna which were commonly shared by people in the North East, in the South and in other parts of the country. Sitharaman was Chief Guest at a talk on 'Re-emergence of India that is Bharat: Role of 5th Estate' organised by the Samskruti Foundation. RSS Joint General Secretary Suresh Soni, who was the principal speaker at the event, highlighted Indian values and ethos of harmony, compassion and peaceful co-existence, speaking extensively on different issues. The ethos teach living in harmony with nature and not exploiting it out of greed, he said, adding that the ethos can show the path to the world.
84 Sikh pilgrims arrive in Pakistan for 'Jor Mela'
Eighty-four Sikh devotees from India arrived today in Pakistan on a special train to observe the death anniversary of fifth Sikh Guru Arjan Dev on June 16. The pilgrims were received at the Wagah railway station by officials of the Evacuee Trust Properties Board (ETPB), including secretary Tariq Khan, Imran Gondal and Amir Hashmi and chairman of the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee Sardar Tara Singh. ETPB spokesman Amir Hashmi told PTI that 84 Sikh pilgrims arrived to attend the fair held annually to observe the death anniversary of their fifth Sikh Guru Arjan Dev. According to Sikhism, the event is also called Shaheedi Jor Mela or Shaheedi Purab of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. During their stay in Pakistan, the devotees are scheduled to visit and pay obeisance at various Sikh shrines. The pilgrims left for Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal and would return to Gurdwara Dera Sahib on June 16 to attend the main event, he said, adding that they would leave for India on June 17. Visiting ...
Mukherjee's speech recalled glorious history of India: RSS
The RSS has said that former president Pranab Mukherjee, in his speech at the organisation headquarters here, recalled the glorious history of the nation while highlighting inclusiveness, pluralism and unity in diversity as foundation of India. "Mukherjee's address recalled the glorious history of the nation...5,000-year-old cultural heritage of the country. Our state system may have changed but our values remain the same. He also highlighted inclusiveness, pluralism and unity in diversity as foundation of Bharat," RSS prachar pramukh (official spokesperson) Arun Kumar told PTI last night and thanked Mukherjee for attending the RSS meet. "We thank for him coming to the event and strengthening the conversation around the concept of nation, nationalism and patriotism," he said. Mukherjee yesterday warned that any attempt to define India through "religion, hatred, dogmas and intolerance" will dilute our existence and said public discourse must be freed of all forms of violence, as he ...
Chidambaram lauds Pranab's speech at RSS event
Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P. Chidambaram on Friday lauded former President Pranab Mukherjee for highlighting Congress' ideology during his speech at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) event held on Thursday."Happy that Mr Pranab Mukherjee told the RSS what is right about Congress' ideology. It was his way of saying what is wrong about RSS' ideology," Chidambaram tweeted.Mukherjee's acceptance of the RSS' invitation to attend the Third Year Sangha Shiksha Varga (SSV) event led to backlash from the Congress and others.Earlier, Chidambaram had requested the former President to tell the RSS what is wrong with their ideology."Now that he (Pranab Mukherjee) has accepted invitation there is no point debating why he accepted it. More important thing to say is, sir you have accepted invitation, please go there and tell them what is wrong with their ideology," Chidambaram said earlier at an event in Delhi.Meanwhile, Mukherjee while speaking at the RSS event in Nagpur
Bhutan gears up for unique inter-faith chanting event
The picturesque capital of arguably the worlds happiest country is all set to host a unique "Thuendrel: Inter-Faith Chanting" event on Saturday.
Youth conference calls for return to Gandhian values to address global issue
Delegates from a dozen countries at the Mandela Gandhi Youth Conference hosted here have called for a return to Gandhian values to address global challenges threatening humanity. The conference was part of a three-day commemoration of the historic incident 125 years ago when on June 7, 1893, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a young lawyer then, was thrown off a train compartment reserved for whites only. Diaspora youth from India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia Egypt, Malawi, Seychelles and Mozambique joined more than 120 South African youngsters to debate and share views on whether the Gandhian philosophy of Satyagraha, Ahimsa and Sarvodaya was relevant today and whether it could be used to find solutions for the problems around the world. "We hereby affirm and resolve that, in an increasingly globalised world, a world where borders are becoming more fluid; where hate is taught rapidly but love isn't learnt at the same pace, we will espouse the ideals and teachings of Gandhi ..
Manifestations of rage tearing social fabric, says Pranab at RSS event
Former President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday expressed concern over "manifestations of rage" tearing country's social fabric and cautioned against any attempt at defining nationhood in terms of dogmas and identities of religion, region, hatred and intolerance.
Mukherjee's speech reminded glorious history of India: RSS
The RSS said tonight that former president Pranab Mukherjee, in his speech at the organisation headquarters here, reminded the glorious history of the nation while highlighting inclusiveness, pluralism and unity in diversity as foundation of India. "Mukherjee's address reminded the glorious history of the nation...5,000-year-old cultural heritage of the country. Our state system may have changed but our values remain the same. He also highlighted inclusiveness, pluralism and unity in diversity as foundation of Bharat," RSS prachar pramukh (official spokesperson) Arun Kumar told PTI and thanked Mukherjee for attending the RSS meet. "We thank for him coming to the event and strengthening the conversation around the concept of nation, nationalism and patriotism," he said. Mukherjee today warned that any attempt to define India through "religion, hatred, dogmas and intolerance" will dilute our existence and said public discourses must be freed of all forms of violence, as he addressed an .
Pranab showed RSS what real India resembles: Congress
Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Thursday took a veiled jibe at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying that former president Pranab Mukherjee had shown 'mirror' to the organisation, reminding them of what real India looked like.Speaking to ANI, Sharma said, "There was never any doubt of Pranab Mukherjee's ability to articulate and his conviction, but for dialogue, the other side must listen and change. Pranab ji espoused on a multi-lingual and multi-ethnic India, which is the beauty and strength of our country. He has shown mirror to RSS, whose ideology is completely the opposite, as to what is true India all about.""We did not see the tricolour go up or the national anthem being sung at the RSS head quarter. Hope, the RSS will reflect and change what should be changed," he added.Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that Mukherjee had shown the 'mirror of truth' of India's pluralism to the RSS."Dr.Mukherjee's visit to the RSS headquarters (in Nagpur) had led to a
Pranab Mukherjee speaks on nation, nationalism and patriotism at RSS event
Former president Dr Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday spoke on the concepts of nation, nationalism and patriotism in the context of India, at the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) event in Nagpur.Addressing the RSS cadres at the event, the former president said, "We accept and respect our pluralism and celebrate our diversity. Our national identity has emerged after a long drawn process of confluence and assimilation, the multiple cultures and faiths make us special and tolerant. Nation is defined as a large group of people sharing same language, heritage. Nationalism is defined as identification oneself with one's own nation. Patriotism is defined as devotion to one's own country. We derive our strength from tolerance. We respect our pluralism. We celebrate our diversity.""Intolerance will only dilute our national identity. Any attempt to define our nation through religion, dogma or intolerance will only fade our existence," he added.Mukherjee spoke about the ancient institutions of India
Indian embassy in Egypt hosts iftar
The contribution of Islam in the development of India's multicultural milieu was highlighted during the annual iftar banquet hosted by the Indian embassy in Egypt. The dinner, hosted on the lawns of the India House here, was attended by Egypt's Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, Khaled Tharwat. Members of the Indian community and eminent personalities from different fields, including representatives from the government, political parties, armed forces, diplomats, business, culture and media, also attended the event. In his welcome address, the Charge d'Affaires, Vinod Bahad, conveyed the warm greetings on Ramazan from the people of India -- home to the second-largest Muslim population in the world. Bahad said prayer and fasting were common to many religions in India. He also highlighted the respect and tolerance towards different religions due to the diversity of India, rich influence of Islam in everyday life, including in customs and traditions, music, fashion and ...
Highights from the Southern
Highights from the Southern region at 1700 hrs. MES6 TN-DMK-LD ASSEMBLY Chennai: The violent anti-Sterlite protests in Tuticorin once again echo in the state Assembly, with opposition DMK staging a walkout from the House on being denied permission to raise some issue. MES7 KL-FISHERMEN-LD SHIP Kochi: Two fishermen injured when an Indian LPG tanker ship allegedly hit their fishing boat off Kochi coast, police say. MES3 KL-RAINS Thiruvananthapuram: The South West Monsoon has become active over Kerala with heavy rains lashing the southern state. MDS2 KL-VIJAYAN-PROTEST Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, under attack for alleged police lapses, hits back at the Congress-led Opposition UDF, saying a section of them were "encouraging extremist elements" who were behind Tuesday's protest against police in Kochi.
Renowned Malayalam writer atones for Kathua rape
In an atonement against the Kathua gang rape, noted Malayalam writer and Sahitiya Akademi award winner, K P Ramanunni, today performed a symbolic 'Sayana Pradakshinam' (prostration) at a temple in nearby Chirakkal today. This was a penance against the brutal rape and murder of the 8-year-old muslim girl inside a temple at Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir in January this year, the writer said. The girl was allegedly raped by six men who had held her in captivity in a small temple village for a week. She was allegedly drugged so that she could be sexually assaulted again before being bludgeoned to death, according to police. Yuva Morcha activists had gathered at the Sree Krishna temple in large numbers to prevent him from performing the 'sayana pradakshinam.' But Ramanunni, took a dip in the temple pond and performed the symbolic ritual. He later told reporters that prayers can be held not only for personal matters, but also for social issues. Yuva Morcha said the writer's act .
UP government bans liquor sales in Mathura towns
In deference to demands by area residents and pilgrims alike, the Uttar Pradesh government has banned the sale of liquor in Barsana, Nandgaon, Gokul, Radhakund, Baldeo, and Goverdhan in Mathura district, which are connected to Lord Krishna.
Trump hosts first iftar dinner
US President Donald Trump hosted his first iftar dinner to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, calling Islam "one of the worlds great religions".