Page 190 - Religion Belief
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan disturbed by extremism and violence in society
India's distinguished classical music icon and sarod legend Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has voiced his concern at the increasing extremism and violence in the society today, while urging people to rise above political and religious differences.In an exclusive interaction with UNODC Regional Office for South Asia, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan expressed anguish over the prevailing social conflicts and frictions around the world and stressed that education had failed to create kindness in people."Even in the 21st century, we are still killing each other on account of religion. So, what have we really achieved? We are suffering on account of religion. Every day, we hear of people killing each other because of religious or political differences. Today's human being has become the most dangerous, most ferocious animal," Ustad Amjad Ali Khan told Samarth Pathak, UNODC's Communications Officer."Education has failed to create kindness and compassion in human beings. Certain countries are ruining the future ..
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar meets Ittehad-e-Millat council chief
Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who has been trying for a solution to the Ayodhya dispute through mediation, met Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Maulana Tauqir Raza Khan here today. Ravi Shankar, who reached the Trishul airbase here in a private jet, offered a 'chaadar' at the Dargah Ala Hazrat and also visited the Alakhnath temple and offered prayers to Lord Shiva. Later speaking to reporters, Tauqir Raza Khan said, "Ravi Shankar during the meeting said that he was trying to create such an atmosphere, so that different parties of the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute may sit and hold talks and find a solution to the dispute." According to Khan, Ravi Shankar told him that the common Hindus and Muslims wanted a peaceful solution to the dispute and if the parties involved become ready for talks, it will be beneficial for the country. "Ravishankar is being seen with suspicion, and some are even calling him a puppet of BJP. However, the truth is that the BJP does not want to ...
Hairdressers in northwest Pak ban French, English beard
Hairdressers in Pakistan's conservative Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province have imposed a ban in their shops on stylish French and English beard and haircuts, terming it un-Islamic. Speaking at a news conference in Peshawar yesterday, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Sulemani Hair Dressers Association president Sharif Kahlo said over 200,000 hairdressers were members of his organisation in parts of the province and they would strictly follow the decision, Dawn reported. "We are Muslims and will follow the teachings of Islam. Those who want French and English cut of hair and beard should not visit our salons, he said. In response to a question, he ruled out the impression that there were any threats or pressure on them and said the decision was taken by the association without any pressure. He said the hairdressers after a detailed discussion with the Islamic scholars decided to ban stylish beards. Adil Khan, the association's general secretary, said that another group of hairdressers was spreading rumours
Sri Lanka declares emergency following communal clashes
A 10-day state of emergency was declared in Sri Lanka on Tuesday after sectarian violence between Buddhists and Muslims in the Kandy region left two people dead, government officials said.
Rwanda arrests six for 'planning to defy' church ban
Rwanda police said today it had arrested six "masterminds" planning to defy a government order shutting down over 700 sub-standard religious buildings. The clergymen are accused of holding meetings at which they discussed resisting the order, issued last week, to close 714 churches and one mosque for allegedly failing to meet safety and hygiene standards. "After the suspension of churches that did not meet required standards, some church leaders began illegal meetings intended to defy and obstruct the directive," said Rwanda police spokesman Theos Badege. "Police began investigations to find the masterminds behind this illegal act." Badege said the six Pentecostal preachers "conducted illegal meetings with bad intentions aimed at calling for the directives to be defied." The shutdown, ordered by the Rwanda Governance Board which monitors public and private organisations, came into effect on Thursday and is set to continue until the churches meet standards on hygiene, safety and ...
Church land sale: Kerala HC orders probe against Cardinal
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday ordered a police probe against the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Cardinal and others for allegedly effecting a land deal that caused a loss of crores of rupees to the Church here.
Bollywood wishes Irrfan Khan speedy recovery
A long and healthy life for Irrfan Khan is what celebrities have wished for the actor, who has revealed that he has contracted a "rare disease" and is "fighting for choices".
JDA seals Hanuman temple in Jammu, triggers massive protests
The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) today sealed an old Hanuman temple in Jammu city, triggering protests and road blockade by people. The protesters alleged that they were pushed out of the temple during aarti while the JDA said the structure was sealed because it was built illegally. "The temple was built on foot-path in violation of rules. So we have sealed it," vice-chairman of JDA, AK Shavan told PTI. Several organisations, including VHP, RSS and Bajrang Dal, lashed out at the JDA and the BJP for the "sacrilegious act". Over 300 activists of Bajrang Dal assembled in front of the temple in Trikutanagar and blocked traffic as they sat on dharna on the road and raised slogans against JDA and Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, who is also the chairman of JDA. They demanded unsealing of the temple and burnt an effigy of JDA vice-chairman Shavan. "This is a sacrilegious act. Vice-Chairman of JDA has taken this action on the direction of someone in this government. We warn him that ..
Dubai exchange to launch Islamic spot gold contract this month
(Reuters) - The Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) plans to launch a new sharia-compliant spot gold contract by the end of March, aiming to tap demand for bullion from Islamic investors in the Middle East.
One should not use religion as instrument to attack others: Tharoor
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has said he has a problem when people use religion as an instrument to attack others, in an apparent reference to the violence against minority communities in the country. Tharoor, 61, said that his Hinduism is a very much accepting, open and liberal faith, which has never claimed to be the only true faith. He told the Al Arabiya English that his belief has never said that one has to conform to a certain set of dictates or a litmus test to be saved. As a Hindu, I feel most entitled to write about in my own faith, and my book I have described my Hinduism - perhaps a presumptuous phrase - but the Hinduism I grew up with, observed, learnt, care about and I say this is not the Hindutva ideology that our present ruling forces are propagating, he said, in reference to his recent book - Why I am a Hindu. Religious violence or the wielding of religion as ones principal source of identity and therefore an instrument to attack others with is where he has a ...
Pak SC refuses to entertain petition seeking Sharia law
Pakistan's Supreme Court today refused to entertain a petition filed by an infamous radical cleric to impose Sharia law in the country. Maulana Abdul Aziz of Red Mosque, better known as Lal Masjid, had filed the petition in December 2015 under Article 184(3) of the Constitution through his counsel Tariq Asad. The Registrar office of the Supreme Court had turned down the plea in February 2016 by declaring it as non-maintainable. The cleric had challenged the rejection. An official of the court said that Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar heard the appeal in his chamber against the decision of Registrar. "The chief justice sustained the objections by the Registrar office and rejected the appeal," the official said. The petitioner maintained that Sharia provides solution for all ills confronted by Pakistan and asked the court to order the respondents to amend the Constitution to implement Islamic laws. Aziz made president, the prime minister, the speaker of the national assembly,
Syria-like situation will never arise in India: Wasim Rizvi
Downplaying the possibility of a Syria-like situation in India as highlighted by Art of Living (AoL) founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Shia Central Waqf Board Chairman Wasim Rizvi claimed that secular Hindus and Muslims reside in India."There is no possibility of a Syria-like situation in India, as the Hindus and Muslims living here are very secular," he told ANI.However, Rizvi cautioned that a rift may crop up between the two communities if the matter is not resolved at the earliest possible."Currently, there is a difference of opinion between Hindus and Muslims. However, if the Ayodhya land dispute is not solved soon enough, the differences can turn into a rift," he said.Earlier today, the Art of Living founder in an interview to a leading television channel had said that any delay in resolving the Ram temple issue could result in a Syria-like situation in India."If the Ram Mandir issue is not solved, we will have a Syria in India," Ravi Shankar said in his interview.On a related note, .
No guidelines issued to KVs about morning prayers: HRD Min
The HRD Ministry today clarified that it had not issued any guidelines to Kendriya Vidyalayas forcing students to recite morning prayers compulsorily with folded hands and closed eyes. Minister of State for HRD Updendra Kushwaha gave the clarification in response to a written question in the Lok Sabha. "No guidelines have been issued to Kendriya Vidyalayas forcing the students to recite their morning prayers, which are of religious nature, compulsorily with folded hands and closed eyes," Kushwaha said. The minister also maintained that the Supreme Court has not asked for any clarification in this regard from the HRD Ministry. Contrary to Kushwaha's statement, the Supreme Court in January had issued a notice to the Centre, asking it to respond to a petition that alleged that a prayer sung in Hindi during the morning assembly at 1,125 Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country violates the Constitution by promoting one religion.
Catholic hierarchy to be confronted over gender inequality
"Powerful vested interests" within the Catholic church will be challenged at a conference in Rome as calls grow for women to be given positions of authority and influence in the church, a media report said on Monday.
TN Governor worships at Rameswaram temple
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit today worshipped at the famous Ramanathaswamy temple here. The Governor, accompanied by his family members, also took part in 'Spatikalinga darshan', temple officials said. He was welcomed at the temple with 'Poorana Kumbham' by the priests. Purohit later visited the house of former President A P J Abdul Kalam and interacted with his family members including his brother. He also visited Dhanushkodi and undertook a ride on a Coast Guard hovercraft, Coast Guard administrative officer Nagendran said.
Shivaji Maharaj's temple to come up in Bhiwandi tehsil
A temple of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is set to come up at Bhiwandi tehsil in the district. The temple will be constructed by Shiv Kranti Prathishthan and the ground breaking ceremony was performed yesterday by Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde, said Prathishthan's president Raja Choudhary. According to Choudhary, the Prathishthan has brought land in Maradepeda village for the temple. Shiv Kranti Prathishthan is a local non-government organisation. Eknath Shinde said that the temple, which would come up near the historical Vajreshwari temple, would serve as an inspiration to the youth. King Shivaji, known as the creator of the Maratha empire, was born on February 19 in 1630 at Shivneri Fort in Pune as per the Maharashtra government.
Itanagar celebrates Silver Jubilee of Losar festival
The Buddhist Community of Itanagar celebrated the silver jubilee of the Losar Festival at the Nyokum Lapang Ground here.The three-day festival, organized by the Itanagar Buddhist Cultural Society (IBCS) was celebrated from March 2 to March 4 with a lot of enthusiasm and traditional zeal.Addressing the people on the occasion, Education Minister and chief guest at the event Honchun Ngandam emphasised the need to preserve their tradition and especially their dialect.Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner, Prince Dhawan graced as Guest of Honour and appealed the people about the need to take a resolution for cleanliness and retain Open defecation free status.For the Buddhist community, the festival is termed as the 'New Year' according to their Buddhist calendar.For the locals, Losar gives them a good harvesting year ahead."We've been celebrating this festival since 24 years. Today is its silver jubilee. We celebrate Losar so that harvesting is good and we stay healthy, away from any kind of
Week-long International Yoga festival held in Rishikesh
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on March 1 inaugurated the week-long 29th annual, world-famous International Yoga Festival (IYF) international yoga festival in Rishikesh's Parmarth Niketan.The IYF offers daily classes from 4 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. with more than 80 revered saints, yogacharyas, presenters and experts from nearly 20 countries around the world. There are also classes in meditation, mudras, Sanskrit chanting, reiki, Indian philosophy and spiritual discourses to be held by revered spiritual leaders from India and abroad.Ashtanga Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Bharat Yoga, Ganga Yoga, and Somatics Yoga are just a few of the nearly 200 different offerings throughout the week.The Festival was officially inaugurated by President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu at a ceremony that included congratulatory statements from Uttarakhand Governor KK Paul, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, Union Minister of Tourism, ..
Youth power can change country's fate: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the young generation stressing that the immense energy of youth power can change the fate of the countryAddressing a Youth Convention in Karnataka's Tumakuru via video conferencing, the Prime Minister said there is always something to learn during any sort of conversation with young generation."I always try to meet more youth, talk and listen to their experiences and to work according to their hopes and aspiration," he said.The Prime Minister further said that the Centre, after coming to power in 2014, has taken many decisions to make use of this energy in nation building."The youth can start their own business on their own, they can get a non-bank guarantee loan, for this, the Prime Minister's money scheme is being run by the government. Till now, about Rs. 11 crore loans have been given in the country under the money scheme. More than Rs. 14.1 million loan has been sanctioned for the youth of Karnataka," he added.He also added that apart
Pilgrims of 80 countries attend ISKON's biggest festival
Devotees of 80 countries participated in the ISKON's biggest festival - 'Gaudiya Vaishnav Sampradaya - Gaur Purnima' at its global headquarters here yesterday. Pilgrims from China, Japan, Spain, Russia, England, Brazil, America, Australia, Mexico, Trinidad, Ivory Coast, South Africa besides other countries participated in the festival to mark the birth anniversary of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, an ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) statement said today. The nearly a month-long celebration began on February eight and was marked by events as Sravan Utsav, Kirtan Mela, weeklong Nabadwip Mandal Parikrama and cultural programmes and culminated at the ISKCON Chandradaya Temple here last evening in the presence of a lakh and half devotees, the statement said.