Page 198 - Religion Belief
A temple which binds Hindus and Muslims
A village around 70 km from here has set an example of communal harmony with Hindus and Muslims participating in feasts and rituals together at a Shiva temple, land for which was donated by a Muslim nawab in the eighteenth century. Bhamrawa village has a population of nearly 3,000, of which more than 75 per cent are Muslims. The temple was built in 1788 on the land donated by Nawab Hamid Ali Khan, according to documents available at the centuries-old Rampur Raza Library. The two communities have been living in perfect sync in the area. Speaking to PTI about the prevailing peace in the village amidst reported communal tensions in various parts of the country, Superintendent of Police Vipin Tada said, Bhamrawa is one of the very few examples of communal harmony in the state, and probably in the country. It is surprising to see the Shiva temple in the village being guarded by Muslims, who regularly cooperate and participate in religious rituals. It is surprising to see a mosque right ..
Kumbh, religious tourism gets special focus in UP Budget
Yogi Adityanath-UP government today presented its second budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal with special thrust on holding a grand Kumbh next year and further development of religious tourism, while provisions have been made for cow shelters. The government is making all-out effort for stressing the cultural and spiritual importance of the Kumbh at the national and international level and a "Uttar Pradesh Prayagraj Mela Pradhikaran" has also been set up for proper holding of the mela, Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal said while presenting the budget. For the purpose, the budget has earmarked Rs 1,500 crore for holding Kumbh Mela 2019, he said. The minister, who also paid respects to Lord Ram and Lord Krishna in his budget speech, said that giving an important place to tourism, the state government has brought new Tourism Policy-2018 under which Ramayan, Brij Krishna, Budhh, Spiritual, Sufi, Bundelkhand and Jain circuits have been envisaged and given attractive grant. For making this ...
Muslims worldwide must unite, rise above sects: Iranian prez
IranianPresident Hassan Rouhani today called for unity among the global Muslim community and asserted if they had been united, the US would not have dared to declare Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Rouhani, who is on a three-day visit to India, said people who think Islam is a religion of "violence and terrorism" are wrong in their assessment. He was addressing a Muslim congregation at the historic Mecca Masjid here, after offering Friday prayers. "If Muslims of the world were united, these countries would not have dared to torture Muslims of Palestine every day," he said, without naming any country. "Had Muslims been united, the USA would not have dared to announce Jerusalem as the capital of Israel," the Iranian leader said. In early December, US President Donald Trump announced he would break with decades of American policy and move his embassy to Jerusalem. The move stirred global condemnation and protests across the Palestinian territories and the Arab world. The status of ...
Iranian President calls for unity among Muslims (Roundup)
With a call for unity among Muslims across the world and the announcement of his readiness to simplify visa procedure for Indians, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Friday wound up the first leg of his India visit.
Google can never replace guru, says Naidu
: Vice President Venkaiah Naidu today said global search engine Google can never replace 'guru' even in this modern era. "Today, the world is moving fast...even if you have Google, you need to have a guru..Google cannot replace Guru," he said while delivering the 24th Sree Chithira Thirunal Memorial lecture here. Reminding the people that one should uphold tradition and culture in this modern era, he said mother, mother tongue, motherland and guru should never be forgotten. Naidu said though he was not against English, there is need to promote one's own mother tongue, which should be the foundation of every individual. "Mother tongue is like your eyes while spectacles are like other languages," the vice president said, adding, everyone should practise mother tongue at home.
Iranian President calls for unity among Muslims
In a rare gesture, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who is a senior Shia cleric too, on Friday visited the historic Makkah Masjid, a Sunni mosque, to offer prayers and called for unity among Muslims across the world.
Gupta and Sattar, epitome of communal harmony in Ahmedabad
Even as instances of communal violence crop up from time to time, a Hindu and a Muslim man jointly running a shop in Ahmedabad proves that the spirit of inter-faith harmony remains alive.Radheshyam Lajjaram Gupta and Behlim Mohammed Iqbal Sattar have been business partners for the last 40 years, and run their shop, 'Gupta Raksha Bandhan', selling festivals' decorative items in the Saraspur area of the city.Gupta and Sattar hope to inspire others by setting an example of their friendship. Both respect each other's religious rituals and share a unique understanding.The two friends told that neither money nor religion has ever caused any rift between them over the years."We have travelled together everywhere- whether it is Ajmer's dargah or Mahakaleshwar temple. Let there be any conditions, both of us have stood for each other. Even both of our families celebrate festivals together, whichever it may be," Gupta told ANI.
Rouhani prays for Shia-Sunni unity at Makkah Masjid
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Friday visited the historic Makkah Masjid here and offered prayers for Shia-Sunni unity and peace across the Muslim world.
Rouhani lauds India's diversity, peaceful co-existence of religions
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani today lauded India's cultural diversity, saying multiple faiths and schools of thought co-exist peacefully in the county. Speaking at a meeting with Muslim intellectuals, scholars and clerics here tonight, Rouhani, who arrived here on a three-day India visit, said Islam is not a religion of violence, but one of moderation. "Iran wants unity, independence and support for the East. Iran wants fraternity with India. We do not want to have any differences with other countries as well," said Rouhani who is on his first India visit since assuming charge as president in 2013. The Iranian President lauded India's culture and traditions, and said the country was a "living museum" of religions and schools of thought. "We see a lot of temples, other places of worship, and they are living in peace. They are having peaceful co-existence," he said. Muslims, non-Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs are coexisting in peace in India, he said. However, the West has created fissures ..
RSS chief to address Sangh-Samagam in Varanasi
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address representatives of various wings affiliated with the organisation during its Sangh-Samagam here on February 18. The RSS chief arrived here today on a five-day tour during which he will hold regular interaction with Swayamsevaks from February 15 to 20 at the Trade Facilitation Centre at Bada Lalpur. Senior RSS leaders Dattatreya Hosabale, Indresh Kumar, Suresh Soni, Krishna Gopal, Bhaiyyaji Joshi among others will also be present during the session. Meanwhile, the Congress party today lodged its protest against the RSS chief alleging that the RSS was misusing government institution.
India living example of co-existence: Iranian President
Citing India as a living example of peaceful co-existence of people of different religious and ethnicities, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday called for unity between Shias and Sunnis.
Oman minister in rare visit by Arab official to Jerusalem holy site
An Omani minister made a rare visit by an Arab official to a Jerusalem holy site today after holding talks with Palestinian leaders in the occupied West Bank. Yusuf bin Alawi, minister in charge of foreign affairs, visited the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, an AFP journalist reported. His visit comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump's controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital on December 6, a move that angered the Muslim world. Such a visit would usually require coordination with Israeli officials. An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman said he was unaware of the visit and could not immediately comment. Oman and Israel do not have official diplomatic relations, as is the case with most of the Arab world. The Al-Aqsa mosque compound is the third-holiest site for Muslims and the scene of regular tensions between Palestinians and Israeli authorities. It is on the hill that Jews refer to as the Temple Mount, the most sacred place in ...
Rouhani arrives In Hyderabad
Iran President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday arrived in Hyderabad on a three-day India visit."He is scheduled to address Muslim intellectuals, scholars and clerics in the city at 6.30 pm today," an official said on Thursday.The Iranian leader will address the Muslim congregation at Makkah Masjid, after performing the Friday prayers at the historic mosque before leaving for Delhi.Religious scholars from different schools of thoughts will also participate in the session.Rouhani is also expected to visit historic sites, including the Qutub Shahi tombs at Golconda in Hyderabad.This is the second time that the Rouhani will be visiting Hyderabad, and the first visit after assuming charge as the President in 2013.President Rouhani will be accorded a ceremonial reception on February 17.During the visit of the President Rouhani, both sides would review the progress achieved in bilateral relations and also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Rs one crore offered to TTD run hospital for handicapped
An industrialist from Tamil Nadu today made an offering of Rs one crore at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala here with a request to use the donation for a temple-run trust for handicapped. The devotee Shobhana Ramachandhran, Managing Director, TVS Srichakra Limited, Madurai handed over the bank DD for Rs one crore to K S Srinivasa Raju, Joint Executive Officer, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, that governs the temple, temple sources said. Last week the Chennai based Sri Guru Chandrikananda Samiti Trust had donated Rs one crore with a request to utilise the offering for a temple-run Vedic Trust, the sources said.
Iranian President arrives in Hyderabad
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived here on Thursday on a three-day visit to India.
Eastern Army Commander visits Nagaland
Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Abhay Krishna has assured the Nagaland administration of the force's preparedness to safeguard the security environment there, a Defence spokesperson said here today. In a two-day visit ending today, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, Lt Gen Krishna met senior civil administration officials of Nagaland at Kohima. "The GOC-in-C assured the state functionaries of full preparedness of Spear Corps and to robustly handle any contingency, and that a befitting response will be given to anyone vitiating the security environment in Nagaland," the spokesperson said. Assembly election in the north-eastern state will be held on February 27 and results are scheduled to be declared on March 3. Krishna visited the Army's Spear Corps Zone in the North-East and was accompanied by Lt Gen Gopal R, General Officer Commanding Spear Corps. At the headquarter of the Inspector General, Assam Rifles (North) at Kohima, the GOC-in-C was briefed on ..
Punjab CM to receive Trudeau at Amritsar
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh will receive Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he visits Amritsar and will also accompany him to the Golden Temple. Trudeau is visiting India from February 17-23. "Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh will receive Canadian PM and will also go to the Golden Temple with him," officials said here. The Canadian premier is visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trudeau will also visit Agra, Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, besides Delhi. In Amritsar, Trudeau will be visiting the Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh shrines. However, the date of his visit to Amritsar has not been finalised yet, officials said. Amarinder Singh had last week said that he was looking forward to meeting the Canadian Prime Minister. Significantly, Amarinder Singh had earlier refused to meet Candian Defence minister Harjit Sajjan during the latter's visit to Punjab last year. He had even accused Sajjan of being a "Khalistani sympathiser". Meanwhile, a
Conversion of Muslims: Three arrested over attack on journalists
Three people were arrested on Wednesday in Kolkata over attack on journalists who were covering alleged conversion of Muslims to Hinduism.Earlier, 14 members of a Muslim family allegedly converted to Hinduism at an event by Hindu Samhati at Rani Rasmoni Avenue.When some journalists tried to speak to the family at the venue then they were allegedly attacked by Hindu Samhati workers.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the attack on journalists and promised to punish the guilty.Three persons have been arrested in case of attack on media.Tapan Ghosh, founder of Hindu Samhati, is being examined by the police.
Bulgarian beggar, dubbed a living saint, dies aged 103
"Grandpa" Dobri, a beggar hailed as a living saint in Bulgaria for donating thousands to Orthodox Christian churches, died today at the age of 103, church leaders said. For over 25 years, the hunched figure in a threadbare coat and peasant sandals holding a cup for donations was a regular sight at the entrance to Sofias Seven Saints church or the Alexander Nevski cathedral in the city centre. Dobri Dobrev became the golden-domed cathedrals largest private donor with his gift of 35,700 leva (18,200 euros, USD 22,500) in 2009. He went on to help a number of monasteries and smaller churches by donating the alms he collected through the years, which added up to considerable sums in Bulgaria, the European Unions poorest country. "Grandpa" Dobri, as he was commonly known, led an ascetic life, lodging in a small hut furnished with just a bed and a table in a church courtyard in Baylovo, his native village near Sofia. Although he shied away from popular culture, he became an internet star as .
Kedarnath temple to re-open on April 29 after winter break
The sacred portals of the Kedarnath shrine in the Himalayas will be re-opened at 6:15 AM on April 29, it was announced today. The propitious hour for the re-opening of the famous temple was announced at the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, where lord Kedarnath (Shiva) is worshipped during the winter as the gates of the Himalayan shrine remain closed because of snow. Kedarnath chief priest (Rawal) Bhimashankar Ling announced the timing and schedule for the ceremonial re- opening of the temple gates on the occasion of Mahashivratri today, after studying the "Panchanga" (calendar), in the presence of other priests, vedpathis and temple committee officials, its spokesman Harish Gaud said. In accordance with the traditions, Lord Kedarnath's "Utsav Doli" (a colourful palanquin), borne on the shoulders of devotees, will leave Ukhimath on April 26 and arrive at Kedarnath via Phata village and Gaurikund on the night of April 28, he added. The doors of the shrine will be thrown ...