Page 199 - Religion Belief
Devotees throng temples in Odisha on Maha Shivaratri
Thousands of devotees thronged Shiva temples across Odisha to offer prayers on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri on Wednesday.
Love is definitely not in 'air' in Pakistan
Pakistan has once again banned Valentine Day's celebrations and its media coverage after the Islamabad High Court ruled the holiday as "un-Islamic".The Voice of America reported that in order to comply with the court ruling, Pakistan's Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) imposed guidelines to its TV and radio licenses to remind them of the ban."Respondents are directed to ensure that nothing about the celebrations of Valentine's Day and its promotion is spread on the Electronic and Print media. No event shall be held on an official level and at any public place. PEMRA is directed to ensure that all the TV channels shall stop the promotion of Valentine's Day forthwith," the PEMRA said in a statement.The judgment also prohibited any advertising or the sale of merchandise associated with Valentine's Day.The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday issued a judgment on a petition claiming that Valentine's Day was spreading "immorality, nudity and indecency" in the society.The court also .
Why silence on sacrifice of Muslim soldiers in J&K attack: Owaisi
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday referred to the religion of soldiers killed in Sunjuwan Army camp terror attack and questioned the "silence" of those raising questions about the patriotism of Indian Muslims.
HC dismisses PIL seeking directions to Meerut mayor to respect
The Allahabad High Court today dismissed a PIL seeking directions to Meerut Mayor Sunita Verma to give due respect when 'Vande Mataram' was being played or sung in the municipal House. The PIL had also sought that people of Meerut be sensitised about their fundamental duties to respect the national song and that it should be publicised. The bench comprising Chief Justice D B Bhosale and Justice Suneet Kumar dismissed the petition filed by Ramakant Sharma, a resident of Meerut. In the petition it was alleged that many councillors as well as the mayor did not give due respect to the song when it was being sung in the Meerut Municipal Corporation House. The petitioner relied on newspaper reports and a photo published in a newspaper where the mayor was allegedly seen sitting at the time of singing of 'Vande Mataram'. Sharma's counsel argued that in the municipal House some councillors were not willing to sing 'Vande Mataram' while others were advocating that all should sing ..
Iran President to visit Hyderabad
Iran President Dr. Hassan Rouhani will visit Hyderabad on Thursday, the Consulate of Iran said in a statement on Tuesday.Rouhani will address the Muslim congregation at Makkah Masjid, after performing the Friday prayers at the historic mosque. Religious scholars from different schools of thoughts will also participate in the session.This is the second time that the Rouhani will be visiting Hyderabad, and the first visit after assuming charge as the President in 2013.The Iran President holds a doctorate in Constitutional Law (with the thesis titled- Flexibility of Shariah and Islamic Law) from Glasgow's Caledonian University in the United Kingdom.He is considered an authority on law and has published over 100 books and scientific papers on subjects including National Security, Nuclear Diplomacy, Economic System, Islamic Political Thought, Islamic Revolution, Environment and Islamic Legislative Power among others.It is pertinent to mention that the architect of Hyderabad, Mir Momin, was
Mahashivarathri celebrated across Tamil Nadu
Devotees thronged Shiva temples across Tamil Nadu today on the occasion of Mahashivarathri. Special prayers were held in Shaivite shrines in various parts of the state, including Chennai, Tiruvannamalai, Kancheepuram, Chidambaram and Viruthunagar. People turned up in Shiva temples in good numbers and offered prayers, with temple managements making special arrangements to serve the devotees on the auspicious occasion. The temples were decked up for Mahasivaratri, considered an important occasion for devotees of Lord Shiva.
Amarinder greets people on Mahashivaratri
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today extended greetings to the people on the occasion of 'Mahashivaratri', while urging them to celebrate the festival with a spirit of brotherhood and harmony. In his message, Singh called on the people to set aside all differences and come together to celebrate the occasion with the vow to promote goodwill and bonhomie. Amarinder exhorted the people to use the religious occasion to create a positive environment for the collective good of the mankind by following the path shown by Lord Shiva. "Let us all, on this day, pledge to fight for good over the evil forces that are increasingly threatening to destroy humanity," said the Chief Minister.
Devotees throng Somnath temple for 'Mahashivratri'
Over one lakh devotees visited the Somnath temple in Gir Somnath district on the occasion of Mahashivratri being celebrated today. Serpentine queues could be seen outside the temple from 4 am. A 'palkhi yatra' (palanquin procession) was taken out in the town, Vijaysinh Chavda, general manager of Shri Somnath Trust said. Devotees took dips in the holy water at the "triveni sangam" (confluence) of three rivers-- Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati, located near the temple. Security has been beefed up in and around the temple in view of the rush of the devotees, Chavda said.
Punjab Governor extends greetings on Maha Shivratri
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator V.P. Singh Badnore on Tuesday extended greetings on Maha Shivratri, the festival dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Venkaiah Naidu wishes on Maha Shivratri
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Maha Shivratri which is being celebrated across the country.Naidu took to Twitter and in a series of tweet said, "Dear Sisters and brothers across the world, I convey my greetings to devotees all over the world who are celebrating the Mahashivaratri Festival. This is an occasion to pray, to meditate and derive renewed energy to do good. #MahaShivaratri" (sic)The annual festival marks the mythical wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is considered one of the holiest festival by the Hindu community."Let us pray that our lives are continuously lit with good cheer, health, thoughts and actions. As the Vedic rishis have said - "Tanme Manah Shiva Sankalpamastu" (Let my mind be filled with beautiful and good thoughts). My Prayerful salutations to Lord Shiva''Om Namah Shivaya" (sic)In his third tweet, Naidu said "Shiva is one of the Holy Trinity, three important Hindu Gods, the other two .
Congress now "pseudo Hinduism', says Javadekar
Questioning Rahul Gandhi's temple visits ahead of the coming Karnataka assembly polls, Union Minister and Karnataka election in charge Prakash Javadekar said Congress was earlier "pseudo secular" but are now "pseudo Hinduism." "They are changing brands. They were earlier pseudo secularists, now they are pseudo Hinduism. People understand which is an election gimmick and which is true devotion," the minister said. He claimed that Gandhi did not go to temples in Delhi when he was elected Congress president, which was the biggest day in his life. "He goes to temples in Gujarat and Karnataka because there is election. So it is a vote gimmick. But people are not fools. In our country illiterate intelligence is very powerful. Robust common sense works and people understand who is a real devotee and who is an election devotee." He took a dig at the ruling Congress in Karnataka, saying that on the one hand its leaders are visiting temples and on the other, brought out a ...
Owaisi slams those advocating "giving up" claim on mosque
All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi today hit out at those advocating that Muslims give up their claim over the land where the Babri mosque stood before its demolition. "You say peace will prevail (if Muslims give up their claim). Shall we give up Masjid-e-Aqsa (in Jerusalem)?" he said, without naming anybody. The Hyderabad MP's remarks came in the backdrop of noted cleric Maulana Syed Salman Husain Nadvi's remarks that shifting of a mosque is possible according to the Sharia (Islamic law). Owaisi was addressing a public meeting after the conclusion of the 26th Plenary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) last night. The AIMPLB yesterday approved Nadvi's "decision to quit" as its executive member, days after he met Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar over the Ayodhya dispute and said at the board's meeting that shifting of a mosque is possible under the Islamic law. The Babri Masjid would remain a mosque till ..
Message of Dr. Abdus Salam docu: 'Intolerance is damaging to human spirit, soul', says director (IANS Interview) (Lead, Correcting various paras)
The baffling and paradoxical life of Dr. Abdus Salam, the first Pakistani and Muslim to win a Nobel Prize for Physics, is a subject of a compelling documentary by New York-based Indian American filmmaker Anand Kamalakar.
National Youth Festival organised by Indian Red Cross Society
A three-day National Youth Festival organised by the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) began in Noida today to help the youth understand their potential and encourage them to contribute to the society in a more effective manner. Around 400 Red Cross volunteers from across the country participated in the festival which aims to give the volunteers direction towards self-sufficiency and sustainability. A statement issued by the Indian Red Cross Society said, "This interactive festival will see exchange of thoughts between the volunteers and the experts from Red Cross and other sectors as well." The event is a mix of educational-cum-cultural extravaganza with each state performing dance, theatre or music. It would culminate with a award ceremony during the valedictory function. Joint Secretary of IRCS Manish Choudhary said National Youth Festival is a short-term booster to not only create a platform wherein the Youth Red Cross volunteers interact with their counterparts from .
PM Modi arrives in Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned home on Monday after completing a four-day four nation visit to Jordan, the State of Palestine, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.He was received by the External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj at the Technical Area of the Palam Airport.Prime Minister Modi first visited Jordan, which was the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister after 30 years.The Prime Minister held talks with his Jordanian counterpart Hani Al-Mulki and other officials.Prime Minister Modi has also invited the King Abdullah II of Jordan to visit India.He then flew to Palestine, escorted by Israeli and Royal Jordanian choppers to Ramallah.During his visit, he laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Ramallah and also signed the visitors book in the museum.He met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Both sides signed six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on infrastructure, national security and defence during the visit.He ...
PM Modi visits Sultan Qaboos Mosque, leaves for New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque here on Monday.He was accompanied by the King of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said and other officials.After visiting the mosque, Prime Minister Modi signed the visitors' book and met supporters at the mosque.He then boarded the Air India One plane back to New Delhi. He is scheduled to arrive in the evening.Earlier, Prime Minister Modi on Monday visited the 125-year-old Shiva Temple in the Matrah area of Old Muscat. He also met with a group of the Indian community outside the temple.This completes the four-nation tour of the Prime Minister, which took him to Jordan, Palestine, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman between February 9 to 12.
PM Modi visits Shiva Temple in Muscat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited the 125-year-old Shiva Temple in the Matrah area of Old Muscat.After offering his prayers, he met with a group of the Indian community outside the temple.The Shiva Temple is one of the oldest temples in the Gulf region and is located near the Sultan of Oman's palace and was constructed by the merchant community from Gujarat around 125 years ago. It was subsequently renovated in 1999.The temple has three deities- Shri Adi Motishwar Mahadev Temple, Shri Motishwar Mahadev Temple and Shri Hanumanji Temple.During the auspicious days and festivals, more than 15,000 devotees visit the temple to offer their prayers.After visiting the temple, the Prime Minister will visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, from where he will emplane back to India on the same day.
Message of Dr. Abdus Salam docu: 'Intolerance is damaging to human spirit, soul', says director (IANS Interview)
The baffling and paradoxical life of Dr. Abdus Salam, the first Pakistani and Muslim to win a Nobel Prize for Physics, is a subject of a compelling documentary by New York-based Indian American filmmaker Anand Kamalakar.
Muslim Parents gets adopted Hindu orphan married in his customs
A Muslim family from Dehradun has set an example of humanity by neglecting the typical norms in the name of religion and caste, by raising a Hindu orphan boy and marrying him as per his religion's customs.The family of Mouinuddin adopted, Rakesh Rastogi at the age of 12 but never tried to tamper with his religion.Rakesh's marriage was commemorated pompously. Mouinuddin's wife, Kausar received her daughter-in-law, Soni, as per Hindu traditions."I celebrate Holi, Diwali and all other festivals in the same house. My family has loved me and supported me in everything, including my marriage," Rakesh told ANI.He added that he never felt that he was living with a Muslim family."No one ever prohibited my way of worshipping," Rakesh stated.On February 9, the duo was married as per Hindu rituals.
Government trying to break our unity: AIMPLB
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, the apex body of Indian Muslims, on Sunday accused the present government of making attempts to break its unity.