Page 222 - Religion Belief
Maintain vigil on Christmas, New Year: MHA to states
In view of New Year and Christmas celebrations, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday issued an advisory to all states to maintain utmost vigil to prevent any untoward incident.The ministry also advised the state administration to take measures to ensure peace, including crowd control and maintenance of law and order.Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had, yesterday, said that an advisory was issued to the states to ensure law and order during Christmas in the wake of fringe elements threatening Christians against celebrating the festival.Speaking on the sidelines of the 54th-anniversary parade of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on Saturday, Singh said: "Any festival, whether it is Christmas, Ramzan, Holi or Diwali, should be celebrated without any problems. Strict action will be taken if anyone tries to create ruckus during the festivals.India is the only country that believes in 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', a philosophy that inculcates an understanding that the whole world is one ...
Bangladesh Cricket Board announce 32-man squad for home series
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 32-man primary squad for their upcoming series at home.
Bandel Church chooses Mother Earth as Christmas theme
The 418-year-old Bandel Church here, one of the oldest in eastern India, has picked the novel cause of caring for Mother Earth as its Christmas theme this year. Bandel Church prior, Salesian Fr T L Francis, said a giant Christmas crib made of bio-degradable and environment-friendly materials depicting the birth of Jesus has been put up for Christmas. A newly erected 20-feet mural of The Last Supper would be another attraction for thousands of visitors at the centuries-old Marian shrine on the banks of the Hooghly river, about 40 km from Kolkata. Visitors this year would also get to see a rare representation of Jesus as Good Shepherd juxtaposed with Mother Mary holding Jesus in one hand and a lamp in the other, he said. "Let us give and share with a view of building a new heaven and new earth, where nature is taken care of and we live in peace," Father Francis said in his Christmas message. This year, the Bandel Church, founded in 1599 by the Augustinian monks, is ...
Preparations in full swing ahead of X'Mas
With festive fervor in the air ahead of Christmas, preparations are in full swing in various pockets of the country, ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Monday.Celebratory instincts, in case of Christmas, are not just among Christians, but for society at large. The prime message, as the saying goes, is to bring peace and prosperity, irrespective of one's religion.On Christmas Eve, people across various states are gearing up to celebrate the Pagan holiday.In Guwahati, churches are being decked up with cribs consisting of sculptures of Joseph, Mary and a number of others, while the buildings are lit up with strings of multi-coloured fairy lights. Further, church groups are also conducting enactment of scenes from the life of Jesus Christ.Special lighting arrangements have also been made in malls and other public areas, with a large decorated Christmas tree in the vicinity.Meanwhile, students of a primary school in Bhopal were seen participating in a Christmas special ...
Thousands protest against Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem
Thousands of Israelis are rallying in the streets of Tel Aviv calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign over alleged corruption for the fourth consecutive week, while hundreds more gathered in Jerusalem for the first time in an anti-corruption demonstration. Israeli Police said several thousand people massed in central Tel Aviv today in the latest protest against the premier. Several hundred more attended a right-wing anti- corruption rally in Jerusalem, with speeches headlined by former defense minister Moshe Yaalon. Protesters in Jerusalem held signs reading "not right, not left, just straight." Police have questioned Netanyahu at least seven times, investigating two corruption allegations surrounding the four-term Israeli leader. They have said they suspect him of being involved in bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing.
World Punjabi Organisation urges Pb CM to declare Dec 27 'dry
The World Punjabi Organisation (WPO) has written to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh urging him to declare December 27, the martyrdom day of the sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh guru, 'dry day' in Punjab. WPO, a non-political body of Punjabis to foster social, economic and cultural bondage among the community around the globe, wrote a letter to Singh on December 20 in this regard. December 27 is observed as the martyrdom day of Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, the young Sahibzadas (sons) of the 10th Sikh guru. In the letter the WPO said that December 27 should be declared a 'dry day' "keeping in view the supreme sacrifice by the Sahibzadas for the upkeep of human values, secularism an peaceful coexistence of mankind in undivided India (sic)".
Andhra CM announces increase in repair grant for churches
Ahead of Christmas, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday announced that the amount allotted for repairing the churches has been increased from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.Speaking at an event organised by the Andhra government in Guntur, Chief Minister Naidu said," Our government spent many crores for Christian welfare. We are giving "Chandranna Christmas Gift" for poor Christians. I announce increase of the amount being given to repairs of churches from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh".The Andhra Chief Minister further averred that the state government is committed to the welfare of Christians."Our govt is committed to the welfare of Christians. We will resolve all the problems raised by your religious leaders. Eradication of poverty is our main aim. We are implementing many welfare schemes to achieve that aim", said Naidu.Naidu also termed the celebrations as "heavenly" and "inspiring"."These celebrations are heavenly. I wish all of you a Merry Christmas. It is time to be ..
Coptic diocese says hundreds attack church in Egypt
Hundreds of Muslim demonstrators attacked an unlicensed church south of Cairo wounding three people, an Egyptian Coptic Christian diocese said today, in the latest assault on members of the country's Christian minority. The incident took place after Friday prayers when demonstrators gathered outside the building and stormed it. The demonstrators chanted hostile slogans and called for the church's demolition, the diocese in Atfih said. The demonstrators destroyed the church's contents and assaulted Christians inside before security personnel arrived and dispersed them. The wounded were transferred to a nearby hospital, the diocese said after the attack, without elaborating. A media coordinator at the diocese, the Rev Yehnes Youssef, said later today that three Copts were wounded but have been treated. The church in Giza just outside of Cairo is yet to be sanctioned by the state but has been holding prayers for 15 years. The diocese said it had officially sought to ...
Cong, BJP avoided talking about Muslim empowerment: Owaisi
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi today alleged that the Congress and BJP deliberately avoided talking about Muslim empowerment in the recently-concluded Gujarat Assembly elections. "They deliberately avoided talking about Muslim empowerment and Muslim representation. The proof is that BJP did not give a single ticket to a Muslim. Congress gave six tickets and only three are now elected," a MIM release quoted him as saying. Owaisi claimed that the numerous temple visits undertaken by leaders of both the parties were part of their "deliberate political marginalisation of Muslims". "The temple-hopping which we have seen in the Gujarat election campaign was nothing but deliberate political marginalisation of Muslims of Gujarat which is not good for our democracy and polity in the long term," he said. Alleging that both the parties used "religion as a vote- bank", Owaisi said he would go to mosques and dargahs and wear ...
Religious harmony soul of country: Delhi CM
Religious harmony is the "soul" of the country without which it will not survive, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said at a Christmas function organised in the Delhi Legislative Assembly. The chief minister also praised Speaker Ram Niwas Goel for hosting the festival first-time at the Assembly premises. "Festivals like Christmas are celebrated by all. This religious harmony is the soul of our country without which it will not survive," Kejriwal said. Terming India as a bouquet of members of all castes, religions and tribes, he said "some people were working against this diversity". "Some people want to spoil this bouquet which is not right," he said. Kejriwal said that Christmas will be celebrated every year at the Assembly. Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph congratulated the Delhi government and Assembly for the event. The chief minister said that the "beauty of Indian secularism was that it welcomed all religions". Attending the event, Christian priests also
Guru Circuit will be developed in Bihar, says Nitish Kumar
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said the state government has decided to develop "Guru Circuit" connecting important religious destinations of Sikhs in the state. Kumar said this during the inaugural function of three-day "Shukrana Samaroh" (thanksgiving) of 350th Prakash Parv (birth anniversary) of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru here at a darbar hall of Tent city. Shukrana samaroh will conclude on December 25. "We will connect all important places relating to Guru Gobind Singh jee Maharaj and other religious places to form a Guru circuit," Kumar said. Takht Harmandir Saheb of Patna Sahib, Guru ka Bagh and Bal Leela Saheb, all in old Patna, Handi Saheb of Danapur, Guru Teg Bahadur gurudwara in Gaighat, Guru Nank Kund in Rajgir, Guru Pachees Sangat in Munger and gurudwaras in Ara, Katihar, Nawada, Gaya, Sasaram and Bhagalpur would be connected to form Guru circuit, the CM said according to an official release. Kumar said that development of Guru circuit ...
Crowd ransacks church in Egypt
Hundreds of Egyptians ransacked a church south of Cairo and called for it to be demolished, the region's diocese said. The attack on the church in Atfeh, 100 kilometres from the capital, took place on Friday after weekly Muslim prayers, the diocese said on its Facebook page. Several churches, especially ones that have yet to be licenced by the government, have come under attack by local Muslims in the conservative south of the country. The diocese said the Prince Tawadros church had been used for almost 15 years and had applied for a licence under a law passed last year meant to ease permits for new churches. Hundreds of people massed in front of the building, chanting "hostile" slogans and calling for the church to be demolished, it said. "They stormed the place and destroyed what was inside it, after assaulting the Christians there," the diocese said. Egypt's Coptic Christians comprise up to 10 percent of the country's 93 million people and are the Middle East's largest
Bandel Church goes green this Christmas
Bandel Church, eastern India's oldest church built 418 years back, has chosen to promote caring for mother earth as its Christmas theme this year, while a newly-erected 20-feet mural of "The Last Supper" would be an added attraction for the thousands of visitors who visit the Marian shrine in West Bengal's Hooghly district.
Patnaik assures Odisha Christians of fairness and justice
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today assured the Christian community in the state that he and his government are committed to ensuring fairness and justice to all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Patnaik said this while participating in the Christmas celebrations at Satya Nagar Church here. "I want to assure you this evening and the community at large, that I and my government are committed to ensuring fairness and justice to all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion," Patnaik told the gathering. Describing Christmas as a season of hope and love, of joy and peace, of a strong sense of brotherhood for all mankind, Patnaik said the advent of Lord Jesus Christ to this world brought to the value of forgiveness, compassion and fellow-feeling. "These are the values that I and my government have always cherished and worked for," Patnaik said adding: "Christmas is a time when we relive our commitment to the state of Odisha and its people, to building a ...
Why should Vande Mataram rendition bother anybody, asks Naidu
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today wondered why should anybody have a problem with singing "Vande Mataram", meaning salutations to the mother, a song that inspired millions during the country's freedom movement. "Mother is not the photo but our motherland. 'Vande Mataram' is saluting the mother. Why should anyone have a problem with this," Naidu said at an event in this temple town in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. "Irrespective of our caste, creed and religion, we are one nation, one people and one country," Naidu said, after inaugurating the Global Sai Temple Trust Summit organised by the Shri Saibaba Sansthan, Shirdi, for trustees and representatives of Saibaba temples in India and abroad. Naidu also rejected as "irrelevant" the issue whether Saibaba, the 20th century saint, was a Hindu or Muslim, saying: "he (Saibaba) was a universal teacher who blended the core principles of Hinduism and Sufism". Saibaba's teachings of service to mankind and living in peace
Despite conversion ban, Christianity spreads in Nepal
More than two years after an earthquake flattened the Nepali village of Richet, most residents are still living in makeshift shelters. Only the church has been rebuilt -- paid for by Christian missionaries whose influence in the mainly Hindu country is growing. Despite strict laws that ban religious conversion, Christianity has spread rapidly over the last two decades in Nepal, where many see it as an escape from the deeply entrenched caste system. The Himalayan nation was ruled by a Hindu monarchy for over two centuries until the overthrow of the monarchy in 2008 and also has a strong Buddhist tradition, particularly in the mountainous north. But the remote Lapa Valley where Richet is located is now predominantly Christian. Many residents are recent converts to the faith, among them Rika Tamang, who became a Christian after his mother fell ill and the family struggled to pay for the animal sacrifices a local shaman encouraged them to make. "Whatever I had, I had to ...
Bedi pitches for directory of churches to benefit tourists
Lt Governor Kiran Bedi today suggested to the Christian authorities here that a directory of all churches be published as the one being prepared for the temples bythe Department of Hindu Religious Institutions of the territorail administration. Bedi made the suggestion to Rev Fr Pitchaimuthu, the parish priest, as it would help the tourists to learn about the history and importance of the churches, a release from Raj Nivas. She visited the Roman Catholic church dedicated to "Our Lady of Lourdes" in Villianoor near here. The church was set up in the 19th century.
Good governance doesn't mean control of all aspects of life: Mukherjee
Good governance does not mean control of all aspects of life by administration, former President Pranab Mukherjee said on Saturday.
Coptic diocese says hundreds assault church in Egypt
An Egyptian Coptic Christian diocese says hundreds of Muslim demonstrators have assaulted one of its churches. The diocese in Atfih said Saturday in a statement that the incident in Giza just outside Cairo took place after Friday prayers when demonstrators gathered outside the building and stormed it. The demonstrators chanted hostile slogans and called for the church's demolition, the statement says. It says they destroyed the church's contents and assaulted Christians inside before security personnel arrived and dispersed them. It also said the wounded were transferred to a nearby hospital but didn't elaborate. The church, yet to be sanctioned by the state, has been observing prayers for 15 years. Christians constitute 10 per cent of Egypt's mostly Muslim population. Sectarian violence occasionally erupts, mainly in rural communities in the south.
Advisory issued to states for Christmas security: Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said an advisory has been issued to all states to ensure law and order during Christmas in the wake of fringe elements recently threatening some Christian community members against celebrating the festival. A fringe group in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh had on December 17 issued a circular and threatened the management of all city schools against celebrating Christmas saying, if they did so, it would be "at their own risk". When asked about it, Singh said an advisory has been issued to all the states so that there is no law and order issue. He also conveyed his greetings to the nation on Christmas. "Any festival, whether it is Christmas, Ramzaan, Holi or Diwali, should be celebrated without any problems. Strict action would be taken if anyone tries to create ruckus during the festivals," the minister said on the sidelines of the 54th anniversary parade of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) here. He said India is the only country that ...