Page 215 - Religion Belief
Pope: Don't be misled by making money and career your life
Pope Francis advised against making the pursuit of money, a career or success the basis for one's whole life, urging people in his Epiphany remarks today to also resist "the inclinations toward arrogance, the thirst for power and for riches." Francis said during a homily at Mass in St Peter's Basilica that people "often make do" with having "health, a little money and a bit of entertainment." He urged helping the poor and others in need of assistance, giving freely without expecting anything in return. Many Christians observe Epiphany to recall the three wise men who followed a star to find baby Jesus. Francis suggested asking "what star we have chosen to follow in our lives." "Some stars may be bright, but do not point the way. So it is with success, money, career, honors and pleasures when these become our lives," the pope said. That path, he continued, won't ensure peace and joy. Later, during an appearance from his studio window overlooking St Peter's Square, Francis
Baloch leader hails Trump for placing Pak on Special Watch List
The president of the World Baloch Women's Forum, Prof Naela Quadri Baloch, has hailed United States President Donald Trump's decision to place Pakistan on a Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom in the country."The US has taken the right step in highlighting the mistreatment of religious minorities in Pakistan," Quadri said, in a statement.She emphasised it was important to explore the implications of Pakistan's identification as a state that violates the religious freedom of its citizens."The US is effectively saying that the systematic oppression of religious minorities in Pakistan has assumed alarming proportions," Naela said."Forced kidnapping and conversion of Hindu girls, imprisonment of innocent Christians in false blasphemy cases, and the plight of Pakistan's Shias are also known to the world community, systematic denial of equal rights to minorities are indeed established facts," she added.The Baloch activist warned if Jihadi groups further expand in ..
Display of 'manhood' art instead of Shivling draws protest
Dharohar Bachao Samiti staged a massive protest against an open art gallery at Madhavendra Palace in Nahargarh Fort for apparently displaying an art of male genital organ instead of Shivling.The art gallery was recently inaugurated by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.The artwork was three-feet tall and placed in the Sculpture Park at Madhavendra Palace.Following the protest by the Samiti outside the fort, the artwork has been removed from the there.The samiti has levelled the accusation of disrespecting Hindu religion and added that such things would not be tolerated.The samiti has also filed a complaint against the artist for presenting such artwork.
Flu prompts handshake ban in Northern Ireland churches
A Catholic diocese in Northern Ireland has suspended the "sign of peace" handshake in its masses due to the risk of infection from a strain of the flu first discovered in Australia, a media report said on Saturday.
Kerala: Clash breaks out between Latin Catholic followers, cops
A clash broke out after police tried to stop followers from visiting Kerala's Kurisumala, a pilgrimage centre under the Neyyattinkara Latin Catholic Diocese.Hundreds of people who joined the protest demanded a new cross to be erected at Kurisumala in Bonacaud near Vithura.The earlier cross erected there was damaged in November 2017."The followers refused to disperse and hurled stones at them, following which the police resorted to lathi charge. The crowd had also destroyed the barricades," police said."Several others, including police personnel, have also been injured in stone pelting and lathi charge," police added.Following the incident, visitors have been banned from entering the pilgrimage centre for the time being.
SP scoffs at BJP over saffronisation of Haj house
The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Friday scoffed at the ruling dispensation in Uttar Pradesh after the exterior walls of a Haj house in Lucknow were painted in saffron colour and said if this continued, then one day everything would be painted in saffron.SP leader Azam Khan told ANI, "Someday we will see even the Mosques are coloured in saffron. The colours of our clothes can be made saffron. Our wives and children will be dragged out of our house and will be made to wear saffron clothes. If religious beliefs will be forced then the consequences will be like that of the earlier rulers."The SP leader further claimed that unlike other years, this year there was a dip in the Hajis going for the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and alleged that the government was responsible for this decline."Earlier we used to request the Indian Government to increase the Haj quota, but this is for the first time that very less number of Hajis are going to the Haj. They believe they are not safe," said the SP
Govt hurting Muslim sentiments: Maulana of saffron-painted Haj house
The maulana of the Haj house, whose exterior walls were painted in saffron colour in Lucknow, has averred that the government should not do anything that hurts the sentiments of the Muslim community."I think this is not a right decision because the saffron colour is the identity of a particular religion, while Haj is associated with Islam. So the government shouldn't do anything that hurts the sentiments of Muslims," Maulana Nadeem-ul-Wajidi of Deoband told ANI.He also said the current Uttar Pradesh Government was made out of a collective decision - of the Hindus and the Muslims.The exterior walls of the Haj House in Lucknow, earlier in the day, were painted in saffron colour -- majorly related with the Hinduism and also associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).Reacting to the incident, Uttar Pradesh Minister Mohsin Raza said the move should not invite any controversy as the building was painted saffron just to beautify it.However, the Opposition is claiming that the BJP .
Dy Chairman P J Kurien releases upper house calendar
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien today released the calendar of the upper house in presence of chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, who noted it captures the history of transformation of India and the world. The calendar has pictures of 12 world leaders who addressed members of both the houses in parliament's Central Hall during 1955-2010 and their speeches captures the history of transformation of India and the world during this period, Rajya Sabha secreteriat said in a statement quoting Naidu. "Deputy Chairman Prof Kurien is shouldering substantial responsibility of presiding over the house and it is appropriate that he does the honours of unveiling the calendar," Naidu added. He said the leaders spoke of the great ancient traditions of India and the countrys emergence as a vibrant democracy and a major global player. Naidu said the 12 world leaders touched upon various issues relating to the cold war situation, nuclear arms race and the need for disarmament, the ...
Yadav calls for unity among tribals, OBCs, Dalits and Muslims
Former Janata Dal (U) president Sharad Yadav today called for unity among tribals, OBCs, Dalits and Muslims to gain political power. He said these social groups constitute almost 80 per cent of the electorates in the country and make them a formidable contender for power. "Eighty per cent of the voters in the country comprise tribals, OBC, Dalits and Muslims. If they get united, then power will be in their hands. It offers everything like the posts of PM (Prime Minister) and CM (Chief Minister). "Therefore, you should unite 'jaat' (caste) to become 'jamaat' (major force)," Yadav said. The former Union Minister was addressing a programme organised on the occasion of birth anniversary of former Satna MP Sukhlal Kushwaha. Dalit leader from Maharashtra Prakash Ambedkar was also present on the occasion. Yadav said chief Constitution maker Bhimrao Ambedkar regarded Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, a social former and champion of the downtrodden, as his guru to unite Dalits, tribals and .
Lord Shiva symbol of world unity: Shivraj Chouhan
Lord Shiva is a symbol of world unity, said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday.He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Shiva Mahotsav (Festival) in which Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat was chief guest."We have revived tradition of Shiva Mahotsav (Festival) that was started by King Vikramaditya 2100 year ago. The festival will go to all the Jyotirlingas in the country. India is giving the world message of unity. Lord Shiva is a symbol of world peace. We all are one," Chouhan said.Jyotirlinga is a devotional object representing Lord Shiva. There are twelve traditional Jyotirlinga shrines in India.He added that everything is incomplete without Lord Shiva.Chouhan also said that answer to the threats of terrorism and third world war is in Indian culture.Earlier, Bhagwat and Chouhan inaugurated the three-day Shiva Mahotsava and an exhibition based on 12 Jyotirlingas.A post card and postal ticket based on Lord Shiva were also released
Dubai joins UN Global Compact initiative
Dubai, Jan 5 (IANS/WAM) The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has joined the UN Global Compact (UNGC), the worlds greatest corporate sustainability initiative, becoming the first government utility to join the drive and adopt its 10 basic principles in the fields of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
Shamshabad Catholic diocese to be inaugurated on Jan 7
Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry, the head of the Syro-Malabar Church that traces its origins to 42 AD, will formally dedicate the Shamshabad diocese to the Church on January 7 at a function here that will be attended by over 55 bishops and many other dignitaries. The Pope Francis had announced the creation of the largest Syro-Malabar diocese in the country--the Eparchy of Shamshabad in Hyderabad on October 10 last year. The diocese has jurisdiction over all the Syro-Malabar Christians in 23 states and two Union territories, excluding those in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and in the jurisdictions of the Kalyan and Faridabad dioceses, making it the largest in the country, the officials of the new diocese said here today. The other key dignitaries attending the function will be Catholics Bishops Conference of India president Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, over 55 bishops and the sitting Supreme Court judge Kurien Joseph, it said. The Syro-Malabar Church has 31 dioceses in the
Arunachal Governor, CM greet people on Si-Donyi fest
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra today extended greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Si-Donyi, a festival celebrated among the Tagin tribe for good harvest . The governor, in his message, said that the festival, deeply rooted in the cultural ethos, plays a significant role in defining the strong bond between nature and people. The fest, with its unique customs and traditions, brings the people of this community together, he said. "With its religious, cultural and emotional importance, Si Donyi is the most important festival of the Tagin tribe. Blended with unique customs and traditions of the tribal communities, the festival is cherished by one and all," he said. Khandu, in a message, said Arunachalees should take pride in their indigenous culture. "Ours is a distinct state with several tribes and communities residing side by side for ages and maintaining their own unique indigenous culture and ...
U'khand madrassas yet to install Modi's pics, cites 'religious
Madrassas in Uttarakhand are yet to comply with a state government order asking educational institutions to install a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside their premises, citing "religious considerations". The order, issued to all government-run educational institutions after the Independence Day last year, asked them to install a picture of the prime minister inside their premises and to take a pledge to implement Modi's vision of building a new India by 2022. "Madrassas in the state have not installed pictures of the PM because of religious considerations as Islam prohibits installation of pictures of living beings in mosques and madrassas," Deputy Registrar of Uttarakhand Madarsa Board Akhlaq Ahmad told PTI. However, he said the refusal to install the picture of the prime minister should not be interpreted as their opposition to an individual. "They aren't opposed to any individual in particular. It is purely due to religious beliefs. Islam does not permit ..
Dalai Lama must urge for Buddhists control over Mahabodhi temple: Monk
A monk spear-heading a movement for Buddhist-control over the Mahabodhi temple, has urged Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to raise the demand with Prime Minister Narender Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Tension during march to 'Kurishumala'
A march by the faithful to the 'Kurishumala' (Mount of the Cross) in nearby Bonacaud today turned violent leading to lathicharge, the police said. Priests and the faithful under the Neyyantinkara Latin Catholic Diocese took out a procession to instal a new holy cross in the place of one which got damaged a few months ago. Authorities had yesterday itself informed the Church that they would not be allowed to enter the forest land in violation of rules. Trouble started as the protesters broke the police barricade and started pelting stones at police, the police said. The agitators ran helter-skelter when police used lathis to disperse them. A few policemen and 11 protesters were injured in the melee, the police said. The injured protesters have been admitted to the medical college hospital here. The district authorities held talks with the priests present to find a solution to the issue. The local people consider 'Kurishumala' to be a pilgrimage centre and the faithful ...
Muslims divided over fatwa against marrying bankers
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Friday condemned the prominent Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband's new fatwa directing Muslims not to marry into families earning money through banking and related jobs drawing income from interests."A large number of Muslims are working in the banking sector. Issuing a Fatwa asking Muslims not marry people employed in the banking sector is wrong. People who issued this Fatwa must review this because it will lead to further rift and confusion in the Muslim society. There is no need to issue a fatwa on such things", AIMPLB executive president Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali told ANI.The edict was issued after a person asked Darul Ifta if he should marry his daughter to a man whose father worked in a bank.Darul Ifta had stated that as per an Islamic law, earnings through interest and any transaction involving interest particularly investment is 'haram' (forbidden).Islam also forbids business in alcohol, narcotics, school, and weapons .
Egypt Copts to celebrate Christmas after bloody year
Police in Egypt are boosting security around churches as Coptic Christians prepare to celebrate Orthodox Christmas today after a year of deadly jihadist attacks targeting the ancient community. More than 100 Christians have been killed in the spate of violence, including a shooting at a church south of Cairo just last week claimed by the Islamic State group. Since the military ousted divisive Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, security forces have sought to quell attacks led by the Egypt branch of IS which has increasingly targeted Christians. While the jihadists have also taken aim at other civilians, including more than 300 Muslim worshippers massacred at a mosque last November, they have focused on the ancient Coptic community. "This year we will not stop supporting the state and the president and play our national role, but we hope officials will find a way to reduce the attacks," said Bishop Makarios of the southern Minya province. In December 2016, an IS ...
Female devotees to furnish age proof at Sabarimala Temple
Female devotees will now have to furnish their age proof while visiting Kerala's Sabarimala Temple, where entry of women aged between 12 and 50 is banned.The temple authorities' direction comes after numerous incidents came up of women of the banned age group being detained from entering the temple.However, it is not mandatory and full-fledged verification will not be carried out, but those found suspicious will have to show their age proof which could be any ID card approved by the government, according to media reports.Women of menstruating age group are banned from entering the shrine of Lord Ayyappa, but the rule was being violated during the three-month annual pilgrimage, which attracts scores of worshippers to the temple.Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Annie Raja slammed the temple authorities, saying that the directive was a violation of the rights of women to worship."It is once again denying the rights of women to worship any God. Women were actually demanding entry ...
Fatwa bans Muslim women from marrying into families of bank employees
The largest seminary in the country, Darul Uloom Deoband, has issued a fatwa asking Muslim women to not marry into a family whose members work in banks, citing that the income from banking jobs is considered 'haram' (forbidden) earnings.The edict was pronounced after a person asked Darul Ifta if he should marry his daughter to a man whose father worked in a bank.The banking sector runs on the basis of interest which is prohibited in Islam. Darul Ifta has stated that as per Islamic law, earnings through interest and any transaction involving interest particularly investment is forbidden.Islam also forbids business in alcohol, narcotics, school, and weapons as well as any business undertaken with the motive of earning maximum profits, the Islamic seminary informed.The Islamic scholars and clerics have upheld the fatwa, contending that religious body's stand was in line with the Islamic law."Darul Uloom Deoband is correct in its decision. One should avoid having any social bonds with ...