Page 164 - Religion Belief
Australian Catholic Church agrees to help child sex victims
The Catholic Church in Australia agreed today to join a national redress scheme for victims of institutional child sex abuse, declaring that "survivors deserve justice". It follows a five-year royal commission detailing thousands of harrowing abuse cases involving Australian churches, orphanages, sporting clubs, youth groups and schools over decades. That inquiry heard from more than 2,500 survivors of abuse in facilities managed by the Catholic Church and recommended a scheme to support victims with counselling, psychological care and financial payments. All but one of Australia's state governments have signed up to the program, which will offer victims up to AUD $150,000 (USD 113,000) in compensation. In a major step forward, the Church has become the first non-government institution to join the scheme. "We support the royal commission's recommendation for a national redress scheme... and we are keen to participate in it," Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Mark ...
Modi, Widodo vist Istiqlal Mosque
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid a visit to Indonesia's grand Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, during his first official visit to the country. Prime Minister Modi was accompanied by Indonesia President Joko Widodo during his visit to the mosque which was built to commemorate Indonesian independence and opened to the public in 1978. "Glad to have visited the Istiqlal Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world," Modi said in a tweet. "Ramadan Karim! Indonesian President @jokowi accompanied PM @narendramodi during a visit to Istiqlal Mosque, the national mosque of Indonesia and the largest in southeast Asia, in the holy month of Ramadan," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Istiqlal Mosque is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and the third largest Sunni mosque in term of capacity. It is named 'Istiqlal', an Arabic word for "independence". Positioned next to Merdeka Square and the Jakarta Cathedral, the mosque was built after 17 ..
China remains "very" troubling country on religious freedom: US
Observing that Tibetan Buddhists continue to be in a very difficult situation, a top American diplomat today said that China remains a "very troubling" country on religious freedom. "Situation for Tibetan Buddhists that continues to be a very difficult situation for them ... for Christians, for Falun Gong practitioners. China remains a very, very troubling country on religious freedom," US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback told reporters during a news conference here. According to the annual State Department report on International Religious Freedom, although Chinese authorities continued to block information about the number of self-immolations of Tibetan Buddhists, including Buddhist monks, media reported on six self-immolations and one instance in which a man in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) committed suicide by slitting his throat. Reportedly, a Buddhist monk self-immolated in Haikou City due to a land requisition dispute involving a ...
Sebi slaps Rs 10L fine on 2 entities in Edserv Softsystems IPO matter
Markets regulator Sebi today imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on Krishna Enterprises and Rajesh Services Centre for aiding Edserv Softsystems in "fraudulently" siphoning off the funds from its IPO proceeds. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) had conducted an investigation into the initial public offer (IPO) of Edserv on NSE for the period from March 2-9, 2009 and on BSE from March 2-6, 2009. During the probe, it was observed that Rs 4.75 crore had been siphoned off fraudulently from Edserv and certain entities including Krishna Enterprises -- K Rajendran being its sole proprietor -- and Rajesh Services Centre -- R Dhanalakshmi being its sole proprietor -- aided and abetted the firm in moving out the funds. In an order, Sebi said Krishna Enterprises and Rajesh Services Centre had diverted Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 2.25 crore, respectively, out of Rs 3.75 crore received from Edserv and had in collusion with it, acted as layers in transferring the entire sum to Mahadev Impexs, ...
Pompeo to host 'like-minded' allies on religious freedom in US
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will host a gathering of mostly "like-minded" foreign counterparts later this summer to brainstorm ways to advance the cause of religious freedom around the world. The first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom will identify ways to push back against persecution and assure greater respect for religious freedom for all, Pompeo said. "The world has made important strides in religious freedom. But we still have a lot of work to do. In that regard, I am pleased to announce that the US will host the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom at the Department of State on July 25th and 26th of this year," Pompeo said in his remarks on the occasion of the release of the annual report of the State Department on International Religious Freedom. The top American diplomat said he expects the meet to break new ground and is looking forward to hosting his counterparts from like-minded governments, as well as representatives of international ...
Sikh body plans to plant 1 million trees to mark 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak
A US-based Sikh body today said it would plant a million trees to mark the 550th birth-anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. "Guru Nanak was a nature-lover, and in his writings and pronouncements, he always inspired people to look at nature as the divine presence of the Creator and to form a loving relationship with nature," said Dr Rajwant Singh, president of Washington DC-based EcoSikh. The organisation's goal is to reach out to Sikhs all across the globe to plant 550 trees at 1,820 locations in different parts of the world or in Punjab, as a gift to the entire planet, EcoSikh said in a statement. It will initiate this plantation drive at a select location related to Guru Nanak in Punjab, India and in Punjab, Pakistan. "Planting trees to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak will be the best way to celebrate this visionary. We appeal to all Sikh institutions, gurdwaras, and colleges and Punjabi organisations all across the world to take on this initiative .
TN CM should own moral responsibility and step down:Vaiko
MDMK chief Vaiko today demanded that chief minister K Palaniswami resign owning moral responsibility for the violence and police firing that claimed 13 lives in Tuticorin during anti-Sterlite protests last week. He alleged that plainclothes men had opened fire at the protesters and some policemen had set vehicles ablaze. The chief minister should own moral responsibility for the violence and firing and step down, he told reporters at the airport here.
Muslim animal slaughter must occur in approved abattoirs: EU court
The EU's top court ruled today that animal slaughter without stunning can only occur in approved abattoirs, saying a ban on temporary slaughter houses does not violate Muslim religious freedom. In its ruling, the European Court of Justice upheld a 2014 ban in Belgium's Flanders region against temporary abattoirs set up to cope with increased demand during Eid al-Adha, the Muslim feast of sacrifice. "The Court confirms that ritual slaughter without stunning may take place only in an approved slaughterhouse," the Luxembourg-based court said in a statement. "That obligation does not infringe freedom of religion as it is only intended to organise and manage the freedom to practise ritual slaughter, taking into account the fundamental rules on the protection of animal welfare and the health of consumers of meat." Ritual slaughter without stunning is also practised by Jewish communities. The court said EU laws have reconciled ritual slaughter with guarantees for animal welfare and consumer .
Why Muslim boy saved by Sikh cop was in temple: BJP MLA
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Rajkumar Thukral on Monday questioned as to why the Muslim man, who was attacked by a mob in Uttarakhand, entered temple.The Muslim man, who was saved by a Sikh cop from being attacked by a group of people, was allegedly found with a Hindu girl at the Garjiya temple in Ramnagar town."We don't go to mosques or madrasas because we don't have the right to go. Why did they go to temple with an intention to destroy Hindu Sabhyata?," Thukral said.The BJP MLA's remark comes barely days after Gagandeep Singh, the Sikh police officer rescued the youth from mob attack.The incident came to light after the video of the incident went viral on social media, with people praising the cop for his bravery.
Kerala to renovate ancient Mangala Devi temple
The ancient Mangala Devi temple situated about 1,300 metres above sea level in Periyar wildlife sanctuary in Idukki district will be renovated by the Kerala government. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today and attended by officials of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), Forest, Archaeology and Revenue departments, a release said here. Though the temple is situated near Theni district in Tamil Nadu, it is in Kerala, the release added. The decision to renovate the temple was as per a High Court order in 2016. The TDB, which administers temples including the famous Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, has been entrusted with the responsibility of installing the damaged idol, the release said. Lakhs of devotees from Theni and Idukki visit the temple every year on Chithra Pournami day in April-May, the release said. The ancient temple of Mangala Devi is located in the dense woods at the top of a peak (1,337 m above sea ..
Research must become integral to education system: VP
Asserting that the attitude of research must become integral to our education system, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today said the quality of research in the country's resource institutions determines the pace of nation's development. He said that children and young adults must be encouraged to ask questions and search for answers. "If we want to transform our country into a knowledge economy, into a country that harnesses the power of knowledge to transform people's lives, we must focus more sharply on research. Research is the springboard of human progress," Naidu said while interacting with scientists at the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) here today. The "research is the launch pad" for a nation's development trajectory. But the research must be translated into development, he added. "The quality of research is an important indicator of the quality of an educational system... Children and young adults must be encouraged to ask questions and search for answers. ...
Lord Hanuman was world's first tribal leader: BJP MLA
Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Gyan Dev Ahuja on Sunday said Hindu god Hanuman was the world's first tribal leader.While speaking to ANI, Ahuja asserted that one should not disrespect Lord Hanuman."Hanuman was world's first tribal leader. Most of the temples are of Lord Hanuman. We should not disrespect him," Ahuja said.Ahuja's statement came after a Lord Hanuman's picture was placed under the image of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar during a Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Act protest in states' Barmer district.
Hope Eid will strengthen harmony in society: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while extending greetings for Eid on Sunday said he hoped that the festival will strengthen the bonds of harmony in society.
Pondy CM, Bedi drag chariot at temple festival
Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi and Chief Minister V Narayanasamy joined hundreds of devotees in pulling the chariot of Tirukameeswarar temple at a village near here on the occasion of annual car festival today. Later, Bedi, Narayanasamy and officials of various departments offered worship at the 12th century temple in Villianoor and went round the shrine. The temple is among the ancient shrines in Puducherry and as per tradition, the Head of the State should drag the chariot on the occasion of the car festival. Several philanthropists held special camps to distribute food to the devotees thronging the shrine on the occasion.
Sheikh Hasina visits Netaji's house
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday visited Netaji Bhawan, the ancestral house of Indian revolutionary Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, here.
Hasina, Mamata discuss education, culture, business
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday held discussions on wide-ranging topics including education, business and culture with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
China detains 21 Japanese affiliated to Christian groups
Chinese authorities detained 21 Japanese nationals in Chongqing on Friday.As reported by the South China Morning Post, the detained Japanese are said to be part of a Christian group and might have been targeted as part of the Chinese crackdown on Christian missionaries which is labeled as illegal in Beijing.The detainees belong to five provinces including Hebei, Henan, Guizhou, Shanxi, and Liaoning.Of the people detained, five have already returned to Japan, according to the Japanese foreign ministry.Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Friday that "foreigners should abide by Chinese laws too and should not commit crimes."Earlier in November 2017, China detained 19 Japanese nationals affiliated with a Christian group in the southern province of Guangdong. The detainees were later deported.
China orders crackdown on outdoor religious statues
China's ruling Communist Party has ordered the provincial governments to regulate construction of large outdoor religious statues in a bid to prevent "commercialisation" of Buddhist and Taoist religions, official media reported today. Both Buddhism and Taoism have been officially recognised in Communist China with thousands of temples, even though they were subjected to heavy crackdown during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) headed by Communist Party of China (CPC) founder Mao Zedong to cleanse China of its spiritual past. Local governments have been asked to ramp up efforts to regulate the construction of new large outdoor religious statues, the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the CPC directed yesterday. Chinese society has reached common ground on regulating the commercialisation of Buddhist and Taoist activities and the practice of building large outdoor religious statues has made some progress, but more challenges still lie ahead, according to a meeting held by the UFWD ..
Faizabad village sets example of Hindu-Muslim unity
In an exemplar of communal harmony and brotherhood, the Hindu and Muslim communities in Faizabad's Dehriyawan village, have been living together peacefully since 40 years here."We have a mutual understanding amongst ourselves to not interfere during each other's prayer time. Our namaz time is fixed and our Hindu friends never disturb us. You cannot find a village as peaceful as ours," a local, Haji Mohammad Wasim told ANI.The village located at Ganga Jamuni Tahajib under Bikapur Tehsil has a temple and a mosque, adjacent to each other where both communities pray peacefully without being disturbed by the other. Even in 1992, when the Babri Masjid was demolished in Ayodhya, no riot broke out among people here.The Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute is a century-old point of a tussle between Hindus and Muslims.The mosque was demolished by Hindu Karsevaks on December 6, 1992, in Ayodhya. Following which the country witnessed massive riots that claimed lives of over 2,000 people."Hindus .
Kairana by-poll: BJP rubbishes allegations of flaring up communal disharmony
Ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha by-poll in Uttar Pradesh's Kairana, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy said that Muslims are afraid of the former.This remark came in connection with Deobandi Ulema's jibe at BJP, accusing the latter of flaring up communal disharmony and appealing to the voters to elect Rashtriya Lok Dal's Tabassum Hassan."Muslims are sad that we have abolished triple talaq, which was their only means to suppress women. That is why they are afraid of BJP. In the last four years, we have not let any riot happen in the community, unlike the Congress regime. The Muslims think if the BJP stays in power they cannot suppress the other Muslims any longer. They don't want Muslims to be modern and that is why they are targeting the BJP," Swamy told ANI.Sharing her thoughts on the issue, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi called such an accusation ahead of the by-poll completely unconstitutional."A few months ago a pending matter was before the Supreme Court regarding ...