Page 186 - Religion Belief
Trump's pick to lead UN agency says has trust of Muslim states
Donald Trump's nominee to lead the UN migration agency said today that he has convinced member states that he holds no anti-Muslim views, after a series of reports accused him of prejudice against Islam. Ken Isaacs, who has a long record of humanitarian work with the Christian charity Samaritan's Purse and within George W. Bush's presidential administration, has been nominated by the US State Department to head the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Isaacs is in Geneva trying to rally support for his candidacy ahead of a June vote in which IOM's 169-member states will choose their next director-general, a post traditionally held by an American. But his candidacy has been complicated by reports detailing incidents where Isaacs apparently tweeted or re-tweeted material offensive to Muslims. Speaking to journalists on Monday, Isaacs said he has met with envoys from dozens of IOM member-states, including majority Muslim nations, and convinced them he was not a bigot. "Yes, ...
Enforced disappearances have increased in Sindh: WSC Chairperson
Enforced disappearances have greatly risen in Sindh, along with the forced conversion of Sindhi Hindu girls, said the chairperson of the World Sindhi Congress (WSC) Dr. Rubina Sheikh on Monday.Dr. Sheikh claimed that while Pakistan was taking "meaningful steps" to create a just and safe society, it was not taking enough measures and completely failed in addressing the issues of enforced disappearances and forced conversion of the girls."Pakistan insists it is taking meaningful steps toward a just and safe society. However, the collapse of the criminal justice system, the culture of impunity, and the government's refusal and inability to act in accordance with international human rights laws and standards has left millions vulnerable and suffering, in particular in the province of Sindh. The government has failed to respond or implement plans on previous Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations," she said while addressing the 37th United Nations Human Rights Council here.Dr. ...
Ramdev to give 'deeksha' to 85 religious scholars
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev will on March 25, on the occasion of Ram Navmi, give deeksha -- preparation or consecration for a religious ceremony - to 85 religious scholars, including Yogis, a statement said on Sunday.According to the statement, the Yoga guru will give a mantra and initiate them to meditate, fast, and live their life with discipline.A village for these 85 sages is also under development so that they can spend their lives and dedicate themselves towards spirituality, the statement said.
Ajmer-based artist captures the myriad nuances of Krishna
"When Krishna is your muse," says Ajmer-based artist Ashok Hazra, "the art that captures the myriad nuances of this blue-skinned deity is bound to be both enigmatic and spiritual". And inspired by the Srinathji form of Krishna in Nathdwara of Rajasthan, Hazra is all set to showcase a solo show of paintings titled "Krishna - The Enigma" at Gallerie Ganesha in the capital.
Naqvi offers 'chadar' at Ajmer shrine on Modi's behalf
Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday offered the ceremonial 'chadar' at Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti's shrine here on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Peace, unity, harmony at core of India's philosophies: PM
Peace, unity and harmony are at the core of various philosophies in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a message today as a 'chadar' was offered on his behalf at Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti's shrine at Ajmer Sharif. Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi visited the dargah to offer a 'chadar' on Modi's behalf. Modi conveyed his greetings to followers of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in India and abroad on the occasion of the 806th annual Urs in his message. Peace, unity and harmony is at core of various philosophies in the country, Sufism is also one of them. When we talk of Sufi saints in India, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti appears as a symbol of great spiritual traditions. The service of humanity made by 'Gharib Nawaz' will continue to be an inspiration for future generations, Modi said. On the occasion of the annual Urs of the great saint, Modi said he wished for "harmonious co-existence" of various aspects of Indian culture. Greetings and best
Naqvi offers 'chadar' at Ajmer shrine
Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday offered the ceremonial 'chadar' at the shrine of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti here on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
'Purbasa - East Meets East' meet concludes in Odisha
The three-day international conference "Purbasa - East Meets East", ended here on Sunday with Odisha Governor S.C. Jamir saying it supplemented the government's intention and efforts to enhance India's multifaceted engagement with Asean and the wider Asia Pacific region through a series of events and activities.
Mosque never existed at Lord Ram's birthplace in Ayodhya: Shankaracharya
Dwarka Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati today claimed that a mosque had never existed at Lord Ram's birthplace in Ayodhya and that the structure demolished by right-wing activists in 1992 was a temple. "A masjid never existed at Lord Ram's birthplace in Ayodhya," the Shankaracharya told reporters here on the Ram Temple-Babri Mosque dispute. "Kar Sevaks demolished the temple, not a masjid," he claimed. He said that a grand Ram Temple would be rebuilt at the site once a stay order given by court is vacated. The Supreme Court is currently hearing the petitions in the politically-sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case. The Shankaracharya also said that corruption poses a "real challenge" for the country. Politicians, right from the level of village panchayat members, spend huge amounts of money on elections, he said. "Even for registering a First Information Report, bribe is given to police," he said. "When I speak against Prime Minister Narendra Modi .
Lingayat seers meet CM; Press religious status to community
A group of Lingayat seers today met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and urged him to implement the report of an official committee that recommended conferring a spearate religious and minority status to their community. The seers, led by Gadag-based Tontadarya Mutt's Siddalinga Swami, called on Siddaramaiah at his official residence here and wanted him to consider and implement the Nagmohan Das Committee's report which has said "Lingayats in Karnataka may be consideredas religious minority." "Our fight is not new, it has been a 900-year-old fight and it has taken a shape now. The Chief Minister should implement the report and accord separate status to Lingayat community, the Tontadarya math swamiji told reporters later. The Karnataka Cabinet, which is meeting tomorrow, is expected to deliberate upon the matter as discussions in the last meeting on March 8 remained inconclusive, amidst reports of differences between Ministers belonging to both Veerashaiva and ...
No new liquor outlets, beer-wine parlours: Kerala Govt
A day after the Catholic Church in Kerala hit out against the re-opening of the closed liquor bars, the government today clarified that no new liquor outlets, beer and wine parlours would be opened in the state. Reports that new outlets would be opened in the light of the Supreme Court verdict was baseless", Excise Minister T P Ramakrishnan, told reporters at Kozhikode. On the basis of the apex court verdict relating to the matter, the government had issued the order allowing re-opening of liquor outlets, bars, beer and wine parlours to re-open in panchayats with a population of 10,000 from April two. "No new liquor outlets and bars will be opened following the supreme court verdict, the minister said, adding, "the Left Democratic government's policy is abstinence and not prohibition", he said. The Government has launched 'Vimukthi' (Kerala state mission for de-addition) to conduct awareness campaigns against alcoholism and drug abuse and that was showing results, he ...
Issues should be resolved through dialogue: The Dalai Lama
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today said issues should be resolved through dialogue and India needs to play its role in ensuring a peaceful 21st century. Opposing the arms race and nuclear weapons, he said violence leads to counter violence and the cycle continues unabated. This cycle should be broken to make the world a better place to live in, the Dalai Lama said here at the first convocation of the Central University of Jammu (CUJ), which was established in August 8, 2011. "The only way to create peace, is we must develop will power no matter how complicated the situation is and try to resolve issues through dialogue," he said. Dialogue will be successful if views of opposite parties are respected and their interests are taken into consideration, the spiritual leader said. "India's ancient knowledge is very relevant in todays world to achieve a peaceful 21st century. The 21st century must be a century of peace and India can play a major role to achieve this goal," he ...
Eid doesn't just belong to you: Adnan Sami to Pakistani
Adnan Sami, of Pakistani descent, told a fan from the neighbouring country that Eid does not just belong to him, but to the entire Muslim community around the world. The singer, who received his certificate of Indian citizenship in 2016, also requested the fan to refrain from making celebrations into an "Indo-Pak subject".
President releases commemorative coins on Nabakalebar festival
President Ram Nath Kovind today released commemorative coins in denominations of Rs 10 and Rs 1000 on Lord Jagannath's Nabakalebar festival. The President, who is visiting Odisha, released the coins during the centenary celebration of Rastriya Sanskrit Sansthan here. Addressing a function held on the occasion, Kovind described the pilgrim town of Puri as the Vidya Nagri (education hub) for its connection with knowledge and science since ancient times. He said Puri was one of the four 'dhams' for Hindus, where the saints and spiritual leaders like Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanuj, Chaitanya and Guru Nanak visited and established their mutts to be in services of Lord Jagannath. Puri is also called the Kashi of eastern region in India. Adi Shankaracharya chose Puri to establish his 'peeth'. This is the place where Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya and Nimbarkacharya had visited. It is told that Guru Nanak, Santh Kabir and Chaityanya Mahaprabhu also made their visits here. Puri is ...
Indian ethos includes respect for believers, non-believers: Dalai Lama
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said on Sunday that India's thousands of years of spiritual and secular values include respect not only for believers of different faiths but also for non-believers.
Dubai ruler rescues tourists stuck in desert
A group of Mexican tourists here had an unexpected meeting with the Dubai ruler who helped them when their vehicle got stuck in the desert while off-roading in the dunes outside the city. Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rahid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, initiated the move to help pull them out of the dunes, where their vehicle was stuck while off-roading. A Mexican woman, tweeted yesterday and shared photos following their rescue. She wrote that Sheikh Mohammad was passing by along with team when he saw them stranded in the dunes. He promptly ordered his associates to help the family to pull the vehicle. "My friend and I got stuck on the desert of Dubai, and we have been rescued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid," she tweeted. The stranded vehicle was pulled out of the sand and the tourists took a souvenir picture with the ruler. This is not the first time that residents in Dubai have been through the same circumstances and received help from
President releases commemorative coins on Nabakalebar festival
President Ram Nath Kovind released Rs 1,000 and Rs 10 commemorative coins on the occasion of Nabakalebar festival at a function here on Sunday.
Bangladesh is a natural friend of India: Tripura Deputy CM
Tripura Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Devbarman today said Bangladesh is a "natural" friend of India, and the state would do everything possible to further strengthen ties with that country. "Our relation with Bangladesh is very cordial now and the country is already engaged in a lot of work to develop relationship with Tripura," he told reporters at the 99th birthday celebration of 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangladesh Assistant High Commission complex here. "Foreign affairs are in the hands of the Central government. But our government will do all that is in our capacity (to boost ties with Bangladesh)," he said. Bangladesh celebrates March 17 as national children's day in honour of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a prominent figure of the Bangladesh Liberation War, who had great love for children.
24-hour power supply at 100 prominent temples during 'Navratri'
The Uttar Pradesh government has directed the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) to ensure uninterrupted power supply to all the 'shakti peeths' and 100 other prominent temples in the state during 'Navratri' beginning Sunday, an official said on Saturday. 'Navratri' is a nine-day festival of the Hindus and 'shakti peeths' are seats of Goddess Durga.
Kerala church up against state's liquor policy
In a telling blow to the Pinarayi Vijayan government, the Kerala church on Saturday slammed the state's liquor policy, threatening to work against the ruling Left's candidate in the upcoming Chengannur by-poll.