Page 210 - Religion Belief
Internet may have influenced millennials' opinion on religion: Study
Internet may have prompted millennials -- born between 1983 and 2000 -- to see themselves as "free agents" who are less likely to choose a religious tradition or belief that only one religion is true, a study has revealed.
Pak Islamic body condemns use of term 'Black Friday'
The use of term 'Black Friday' is condemnable as black colour signifies negative, a constitutional body that gives the Pakistan government legal advice on Islamic matters has said and proposed to replace it with 'Blessed Friday'. The Council of Islamic Ideology's remarks came in reference to the term 'Black Friday' used by business outlets to offer huge discounts. Taking cognisance of the use of word Black Friday by brands and others for commercial purposes, the council noted that even though there was no harm in offering sales on that day, equating the black day with Friday is condemnable. "Therefore, the council proposed use of Blessed Friday instead of 'Black Friday'," Qibla Ayaz, the chairman of the body, was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune. The council clarified that the decision was in no way to discourage the use of word black, but it was proposed given the fact that black colour had negative connotations in society. "Therefore, it was not appropriate to .
Loudspeaker registration deadline extended to Jan 21 by Lucknow admin
The Lucknow administration on Thursday sent notices to 1,500 defaulters for using loudspeakers without permission at religious and public places.The district administration has also extended the deadline for registration of loudspeakers by individuals and religious establishments till January 20 after which action will be taken against them.The earlier deadline was January 15. Besides, the district administration has given permission to 60 religious establishments so far that had sought permission for use of loudspeakers.Yesterday, the Allahabad High Court's Lucknow bench issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and state pollution control board to remove loudspeakers from religious places, in an attempt to curb the increasing noise pollution.The state police have been directed to remove all loudspeakers present in public places, religious and otherwise that have been installed without appropriate permission being sanctioned towards the same, in a bid to curb noise pollution ...
China bans kids in Muslim county from attending religious events
Educational authorities in a Muslim-majority county in China have prohibited their children from attending any religious event over their winter holiday, as part of the country's continuing crackdown on religious education.The district education bureau stated in a notice posted online that school kids in Linxia county in Gansu province, home to many members of the Muslim Hui ethnic minority, are prohibited from entering religious buildings over their break, reported the Independent.A picture of the notice was shared online by Xi Wuyi, a Marxist scholar at the state-backed Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.The Gansu Government banned religion in nurseries after a video of a young girl reciting the Quran was posted online, two years ago.The province is home to around 1.6 million Muslims.China announced new regulations on religious affairs in October last year. They are due to take effect in February and endeavour to enhance oversight of religious education and provide for greater ...
Amend Constitution to give separate religious identity to
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa today demanded that Sikhs be given a separate religious identity by amending the Constitution. Speaking in the Delhi Assembly, Sirsa, an MLA from Rajouri Garden, who contested on the BJP symbol, moved a resolution demanding that the Article 25(2) of the Constitution, which clubs Sikhs with Hindus, should be amended. Clause 1 of Article 25 gives every person the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion, while clause 2 clubs Sikhs with Hindus, he said on the floor of the House, according to a statement issued by him. Clause 2 states that the reference to Hindus shall be construed as including a reference to persons professing the Sikh, Jain or Buddhist religion. "This definition relating to Sikhs and other religions as included in the Hindu religion, has lead to unavoidable confusion about the independent identity of these religions, thus defeating the objective of Article 25," Sirsa said. The ...
Qatari royal member leaves after 'detention' in UAE
A controversial member of Qatar's royal family has flown to Kuwait after his alleged detention by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), local media reported on Wednesday.
Protests against Vairamuthu over alleged remarks on Goddess
A large number of people from different sub-sects of Hindu religion today staged protests in parts of the state demanding unconditional apology from film lyricist Vairamuthu for his alleged remarks against Goddess Andal. The Jeer (mutt head) of Manavala Mamuni Mutt began an indefinite fast with a similar demand, in Virudhunagar district. The protesters, including Vaishnavites, devotees of Lord Vishnu and members of Brahmin Association, gathered near South Taluk office in Coimbatore and raised slogans against the poet and sought his unconditional apology for his alleged remarks against the Goddess. Meanwhile, another group of persons, including women, owing allegiance to Hindu Makkal Katchi also joined demonstrators and sang stanzas of 'Thiruppaavai' written by Andal. Hindu Makkal Katchi president, Arjun Sampath said Vairamuthu should apologise for his denigrating remarks against Andal, who is held in high esteem across the state. In Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar ...
Modi government will pay heavily for atrocities: Jignesh
Dalit leader from Gujarat, Jignesh Mewani, on Wednesday said the Narendra Modi government will have to pay a heavy price for "the atrocities being committed on Dalits" across the country.
Arson attacks ahead of pope's indigenous Chile visit: police
Unknown attackers used incendiary devices to set fire to Catholic churches and three helicopters belonging to forestry companies, ahead of Pope Francis's visit to the indigenous Mapuche homeland of Araucania in Chile, police said today. The dawn attacks and an ambush on police were carried out to "cause disorder or disturbance of the public order" during the pope's visit to the central city of Temuco, said Chilean police chief Bruno Villalobos. The visiting pontiff is due to pay a short visit to Temuco to make direct contact with Mapuche leaders after presiding over a huge open air mass in the capital Santiago.
Udupi bedecked for 'Paryaya' event
The temple town of Udupi is all set to hold the 249th 'Paryaya' (biennial transfer of power among heads of 'Ashta Mutts' of Udupi) tomorrow. The event marks the conferring of rights of worshipping the presiding deity of Sri Krishna Temple at Udupi on the seer ascending the 'Sarvajna Peeta.' Under the "Paryaya" scheme of things, the puja and administration of Krishna Mutt is distributed among the Swamijis of Ashta (eight) Mutt established by 13th century Dvaita philosopher Sri Madhvacharya, who installed the idol of Lord Krishna at the famous Udupi temple. Vidyadeesha Teertha Swami, seer of Palimar mutt, would take over the responsibility from Pejawar mutt seer Vishwesha Teertha. Udupi wears a festive look for the important religious event. Colourful decorations adorn the temple town and welcome arches have been put up at several places. The 'Paryaya' procession of the seers of Ashta (eight) Mutts would begin from Jodukatte at 3 am tomorrow with Vidyadeesha Swami carrying
IRCTC apologises for posting wrong picture of Jagannath temple
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) today tendered an apology for posting a picture of an 'ISKCON temple' as 'Puri Jagannath Temple' at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai. "The news article appeared in Odisha newspapers where IRCTC posters of Bharat Darshan has shown ISKCON temple instead of Puri Jagannath Temple. The posters were displayed at Mumbai where this has happened inadvertently. All the posters have now been removed. Our sincere apology," IRCTC East Zone said in its twitter handle. The issue was raised by priests of Sri Jagannath Temple after Shambhu Nath Khuntia, a servitor of Puri Jagannath temple during his recent visit to Mumbai, found an ISKCON temple photo in place of the 12th century shrine in Puri. Protesting the IRCTC's action, Khuntia immediately posted the image on social media which sparked a statewide resentment. Subsequently, Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) also wrote to the Indian Railways ..
Protest against Vairamuthu, demand apology
A large number of people from different sub-sects of Hindu religion today staged a protest demonstration here demanding unconditional apology from lyricist Vairamuthu for his alleged controversial remarks against Goddess Andal. The protesters, including Vaishnavites, devotees of Lord Vishnu and members of Brahmin Association, gathered near South Taluk office here and raised slogans against Vairamuthu and sought his unconditional apology for his alleged remarks against the Goddess. Meanwhile, another group of persons, including women, owing allegiance to Hindu Makkal Katchi also joined demonstrators and sang stanzas of 'Thiruppaavai' written by Andal. Hindu Makkal Katchi president, Arjun Sampath said that Vairauthu should apologise for his denigrating remarks against Andal, who is held in high esteem across the state. Andal, the only woman among the 12 revered Vaishnavite saints hailed as 'Alwars' in Tamil, is also venerated as a Goddess and a gifted poet in view of her .
Qatar: Exiled sheikh promoted by Saudi Arabia now in Kuwait
Qatari authorities say an exiled sheikh once promoted by Saudi Arabia as a possible opposition leader amid a diplomatic dispute between Arab nations and Doha is now in Kuwait. It's the latest chapter in Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Thani's mysterious travels, after he appeared in an online video on Sunday alleging the United Arab Emirates was holding him against his will. Abu Dhabi has denied that. Qatar's National Human Rights Committee told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Sheikh Abdullah was in Kuwait. Kuwaiti media reported that he arrived late last night. Kuwait's Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Qatar diplomatic crisis began last June, with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE cutting off Doha's land, sea and air routes.
Shalom Mumbai: Netanyahu to meet biz leaders, pay tributes to
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have a packed schedule during the Mumbai leg of his visit tomorrow, as he will breakfast with business leaders, pay tributes to the Mumbai terror attack victims and attend a 'Shalom Bollywood' event among other engagements. Netanyahu will have a 'power breakfast' with select captains of the industry, including Anand Mahindra, Ajay Piramal, Adi Godrej, and Chanda Kochhar. He will later address the India-Israel Business Summit at the iconic Taj hotel in south Mumbai. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will also attend the summit, sources said. There may be a one-on-one meeting between Fadnavis and Netanyahu after which the Maharashtra chief minister will be hosting a lunch for the Israeli premier and the visiting delegation, they said. This will be followed by a wreath laying ceremony for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack victims. Netanyahu will then proceed to the nearby Nariman House, where he will meet 11-year-old Moshe ...
Pakistan's minorities fleeing over denial of religious freedom
Growing extremism and religious intolerance is leading to thousands of Christians, Ahmadis and Hindus reportedly fleeing Pakistan.Government inaction in countering religious harassment by Islamic groups has caused considerable heartburn. Even atheists are being targeted.The Ahmadiyya community is an endangered community in Pakistan in spite of being an Islamic sect, and has been a target of death threats openly.Excommunicated by the second amendment to Pakistan's Constitution in 1974, the Ahmadiyyas have faced a severe backlash over the initial changes made regarding Khatm-e-Nabuwat (finality of prophethood) in the Elections Reforms Bill passed in October. According to the Pakistan Penal Code, an Ahmadi can be imprisoned for reading the Koran or even using Islamic titles, says a report published in the Asia Times.The daily quotes Ahmadiyya spokesperson Saleem Uddin, as saying that the Ahmadis have been made scapegoats since the state of Pakistan was created in 1947, and added that ...
DySP among over 12 policemen injured in clash over last rites
More than 12 policemen, including a deputy superintendent of police, were injured when a mob attacked them with stones and torched to a place of worship and few vehicles over the last rites of a Hindu woman married to a Christian man in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district. Seema Kumari got married to Rinku Kumar, who later embraced Christianity. They belonged to Sayal village in Nowshera town. Kumar worked as a labourer in Jalandhar, Punjab. Kumari died on Sunday. Her family alleged she was killed and that she was forced to convert to Christianity. They wanted her body to be burnt according to Hindu customs, but Kumar's family objected to it, insisting that it should be buried. The woman's family members and and a number of people from the village protested it. Kumar's family was given police protection. Flying into a rage, the protesters torched a makeshift place of worship, two shops, a few vehicles and structures, police said. A mob threw stones at policemen, who used .
Pope Francis apologises for clerical sexual abuse in Chile
Pope Francis has apologised for 'irreparable damage' done to children who were raped and molested by priests in Chile.According to the Deutsche Welle, on his first day of a week-long Latin-America trip, Pope Francis on Tuesday expressed his "pain and shame" for the "damage" caused by priests who sexually abused children in the country.He said the Catholic Church was committed to "ensuring that such things don't happen again."Pope Francis also met with the Chilean President Michelle Bachelet at La Moneda Palace.Pope's apology comes at a time when attacks on the Catholic churches in Chile have increased significantly over the past week.Addressing lawmakers, judges and other authorities later, the pope said he felt "bound to express my pain and shame" that some of Chile's clergy had sexually abused children who were in their care."I am one with my brother bishops, for it is right to ask forgiveness and make every effort to support the victims, even as we commit ourselves to ensuring that
Pope Francis meets Chilean President Bachelet, her mother
Pope Francis had a private meeting Tuesday with Chilean President Michele Bachelet in the La Moneda palace's Blue Hall and was introduced to her 91-year-old mother, Angela Jeria, who was tortured by the military regime that ruled the South American country from 1973 to 1990.
US paramount champion for religious freedom: Trump
The US is the "paramount champion" for religious freedom around the world, President Donald Trump today said as he proclaimed January 16, 2018 as Religious Freedom Day. President Trump in a religious freedom proclamation called on all Americans to commemorate this day with events and activities that remind the country of their shared heritage of religious liberty. Trump said the US is "the paramount champion for religious freedom around the world, because we do not believe that conscience rights are only for Americans." He said the US will continue to condemn and combat extremism, terrorism and violence against people of faith, including genocide waged by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria against Yezidis, Christians and Shia Muslims. "We will be undeterred in our commitment to monitor religious persecution and implement policies that promote religious freedom. Through these efforts, we strive for the day when people of all faiths can follow their hearts and worship ...
Pope begs forgiveness for 'irreparable harm' from sex abuse
Pope Francis begged for forgiveness today for the "irreparable damage" done to children who were raped and molested by priests, opening his visit to Chile by diving head-first into a scandal that has greatly hurt the Catholic Church's credibility here and cast a cloud over his visit. Francis also faced controversy on another front: Overnight three more Catholic churches were torched, two in the southern Araucania region where Francis will visit on Wednesday to meet with Chile's indigenous peoples. While not causing any injuries, the nine church firebombings in the past few days have marked an unprecedented level of protest against history's first Latin American pope on his home turf. In Santiago, though, tens of thousands of jubilant Chileans turned out in droves for his first public Mass, a massive gathering in the capital's O'Higgins Park where St. John Paul celebrated Mass three decades ago. Before the service began, Francis took a long, looping ride in his ...