Page 47 - Religion Belief
Sushma meets UAE, Saudi Arabia foreign ministers
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday met UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and thanked him for inviting India as a "guest of honour" for the first time at the 46th session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in its golden jubilee year.
India, Pakistan trade fire on LoC in Poonch, Rajouri
Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged heavy fire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Rajouri districts on Friday.
Sushma's veiled attack on Pakistan at OIC, says terror camps must go
In an obvious attack on Pakistan, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) that states which shelter and fund terrorists must be told to dismantle terror camps on their soil.
No need for law to manage church properties in Kerala: CPI (M)
The ruling CPI(M) here said Friday that there was no need to bring a law to manage temporal properties of the church in the state. CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said this while rejecting allegations of various church groups, including the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC), that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government headed by Pinarayi Vijayan was bringing in a new law to govern church properties. The existing laws and church laws were enough to deal with matters related to such properties and there was no need for enacting a new law for the purpose, Balakrishnan told reporters here. He alleged there was a propaganda by certain groups, claiming that the government was going ahead with its plan to introduce the bill, widely known as the Kerala Church Act, even after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made it clear that there was no such move from the government. The church groups, including Syro-Malabar Church and Orthodox Church, started protesting against the law .
Embattled Vatican envoy faces new sex assault claim in Canada
Vatican diplomat Luigi Ventura -- who is already under investigation in France over alleged sexual assault -- is now facing a similar complaint in Canada, the Holy See's embassy in Ottawa said Thursday. Luigi Ventura, currently the Vatican's envoy to France, has been accused of molesting an official at the Paris mayor's office. The 74-year-old Italian archbishop served as the envoy to Canada from 2001 to 2009. He now faces a "single" complaint filed in Ottawa, the embassy told AFP, adding that the complaint has been reported to officials in Vatican City. According to the Canadian website Presence, which specializes in religious news and first reported on the complaint, Ventura allegedly groped a man in 2008 at the shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre in Quebec province. The alleged victim, then 32, was helping to serve Ventura during a banquet for the Feast of Sainte Anne. The man said that Ventura touched his buttocks at least twice, according to Presence. The man filed his complaint ...
India addresses OIC for the first time, says terrorism destroying lives, destabilising regions
In a major diplomatic achievement, India for the first time addressed the OIC meeting on Friday here, and asserted that the war against terrorism, which was destabilising regions and putting the world at great peril, was not against any religion. India's participation came despite strong demand by Pakistan to rescind the invitation to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to address the grouping of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which was turned down by the host UAE, resulting in Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi boycotting the plenary. "Terrorism and extremism bear different names and labels. It uses diverse causes. But in each case, it is driven by distortion of religion, and a misguided belief in its power to succeed. The fight against terrorism is not a confrontation against any religion," Swaraj, who is the first Indian minister to address the meeting of the 57 Islamic countries, said. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, a senior minister in Indira Gandhi's ...
Terrorism destroying lives, destabilising regions: Swaraj tells OIC
Terrorism is destroying lives, destabilising regions and putting the world at great peril, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting on Friday and asserted the war against the menace was not against any religion. Attending the meeting in the shadow of heightened tension between India and Pakistan following the killing of 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed, Swaraj, who is the first Indian minister to address the meeting of the 57 Islamic countries, said "very few" Muslims in India have fallen prey to the poisonous propaganda of radical and extremist ideologies. "Terrorism and extremism bear different names and labels. It uses diverse causes. But in each case, it is driven by distortion of religion, and a misguided belief in its power to succeed," she said. During her nearly 17-minute speech, she did not mention Pakistan. "I carry the greetings of my Prime Minister Narendra ...
Countries supporting terrorists must be told to stop it, says Sushma
Addressing a conference of 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (IOC) here as the 'Guest of Honour' here, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said those indulging in terrorism are resorting to "distortion of religion" and giving different names to the menace to justify it.Swaraj addressed the plenary session of the conference which was boycotted by Pakistan as a protest against invitation to India for the first time in the grouping's 50-year-old history.In her speech, she said "senseless terrorist violence" was destroying lives, destabilising regions and putting the world at great peril as its "lethality" was increasing and "toll rising".Swaraj said terrorism and extremism was given "different names" to justify such acts and involved "distortion of religion"."The fight against terrorism is not a confrontation against any religion and can't be against any religion. Just as Islam means peace, none of the 99 names of Allah means violence. Similarly, every religion stands for
Poonch: Pakistan violates ceasefire second time in a day
Pakistan violated ceasefire for the second time on Thursday and resorted to unprovoked firing and heavy shelling of mortars along the Line of Control (LoC) in Krishna Ghati sector.Earlier in the morning, the Pakistani Rangers violated the ceasefire in the same area. The gun-battle which commenced at 6 in the morning concluded after an hour.On Wednesday, Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire in Mendhar and Krishna Ghati sectors in the Rajouri district, to which the Indian Army gave a befitting reply.Yesterday, another incident of ceasefire violation was reported in Kamalkot area of Uri sector in Baramulla district.
Pakistan violates ceasfire along LoC in Krishna Ghati sector
Pakistan on Thursday violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing and heavy shelling of mortars in Krishna Ghati along the Line of Control in Poonch this morning.Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively. The gun-battle which commenced at 6 in the morning concluded after an hour.On Wednesday, Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire in Mendhar and Krishna Ghati sectors in the Rajouri district, to which the Indian Army gave a befitting reply.Yesterday, another incident of ceasefire violation was also reported in Kamalkot area of Uri sector in Baramulla district.
Nayantara Sahgal unveils new novel, slams Modi (Lead, correcting para 3)
Veteran author Nayantara Sahgal unveiled her new novel "The Fate Of Butterflies" at a function attended by bibliophiles and several known faces from the literary and political world, here on Wednesday.
Nayantara Sahgal launches new novel, attacks Modi
Veteran author Nayantara Sahgal launched her new novel "The Fate Of Butterflies" amid a gathering of bibliophiles and several known faces from the literary and political world here on Wednesday.
Ram Mandir issue must be resolved through talk, mosque can be shifted: Maulana Salam Nadvi
Former All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) member and Islamic scholar Maulana Salman Nadvi on Wednesday reiterated his proposal of shifting the mosque from the disputed land and resolving the issue through talks.Reacting to Supreme Court exploring mediation in Ayodhya title suit, Nadvi said, "I have learned that Supreme Court wants both parties to sit together and find a solution on the Ram Janmbhoomi issue. I believe all sides should come together and resolve this issue."He added, "I had personally proposed that a mosque should be shifted and constructed somewhere else. I had also said that adequate land must be provided for not only the mosque but also for an educational institute, which can propagate the message of peace."Outlining his message of peace and harmony, he further added, "I am of the opinion that the mosque must be shifted from that environment. I believe that God, Lord, Allah are all one and if a religious place is being constructed, we should not fight on ...
Brahma Kumari functionary delivers talk in Maha Vidhan Bhavan
BrahmaKumari Shivani, a member of theBrahma KumarisWorld Spiritual University, Tuesday delivered a 'motivational speech' at the Central Hall of Vidhan Bhavanhere. Maharashtra Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar told PTI that the talk had nothing to do with religion and was about "values of life". "This talk was about values of life and how one can enhance them. There was no talk on religion. Legislators across political parties were a part of the event," he said. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, minister Girish Bapat and other BJP legislators were present during the talk. Taking a dig at the Opposition, the minister said it would be "surprising" if political leaders were not interested in enhancing morals and values in their lives. On Monday, opposition legislators had described the Vidhan Bhavan as a 'temple of democracy' andopposed the talk by Shivani. Brahma Kumaris, a spiritual organisation predominantly led and managed by women, claims to be a movement dedicated to
PM takes Delhi Metro ride to ISKCON event
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday boarded a metro train from Khan Market station on way to attend an event at ISKCON temple in south Delhi's East of Kailash, officials said. Modi unveiled a giant Bhagavad Gita, running into 670 pages and weighing 800 kg, at the temple, located near Kailash Colony metro station. Dubbed the 'Astounding Bhagavad Gita', and measuring 2.8 m by 2 m, it is billed as the "largest principle sacred text ever to be printed," according to ISCKON. "PM Modi boarded a train from Khan Market metro station on the Violet Line for reaching the venue," a Prime Minister's Office source said, adding he deboarded at Nehru Place. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said, "The prime minister travelled in Delhi Metro's Violet Line today. He boarded the metro train at Khan Market station at 4:25 pm and travelled up to Nehru Place metro station, leaving the station at 4:38 pm." Inside the coach, he interacted with some of the commuters and posed with them for ...
Divine power always there to save world from enemies of humanity: PM
Divine power is always with us to save the world from enemies of humanity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday, asserting that this is the message his government has been striving to give to "evil spirits and demons". His cryptic remarks at an Iskcon event appeared to be referring to strikes by the Indian Air Force on terror camps inside Pakistan earlier in the day. "Manavta ke dushmano se dharti ko bachane ke liye prabhu ki shakti hamare saath hamesha rahti hai. Yahi sandesh hum poori pramankta ke saath dusht atmaon, asuron ko dene ka prayas kar rahe hain (Divine power is always with us to take on the enemies of humanity. This is the message we are striving to give to evil spirits and demons)," the prime minister said. He was at the Iskcon temple in south Delhi to unveil a giant Bhagavad Gita, running into 670 pages and weighing 800 kg. He took a metro ride on way to reach the venue, boarding a train at Khan Market station and deboarding at Nehru Place station. Addressing the ..
Fatima Bhutto prays for peace
Fatima Bhutto, author and grand-daughter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, has sent out a prayer for peace between India and Pakistan in the wake of escalating tension.
PM takes Delhi Metro ride for ISKCON event
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday boarded a metro train from Khan Market station on way to attend an event at ISKCON temple in south Delhi's East of Kailash, officials said. Modi will unveil a giant Bhagavad Gita, running into 670 pages and weighing 800 kg, at the temple, located near Kailash Colony metro station. Dubbed the 'Astounding Bhagavad Gita', and measuring 2.8 m by 2 m, it is billed as the "largest principle sacred text ever to be printed," according to ISCKON. "PM Modi boarded a train from Khan Market metro station on the Violet Line for reaching the venue," a Prime Minister's Office source said, adding he deboarded at Nehru Place . Inside the coach, he interacted with some of the commuters and posed with them for pictures. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement, is a worldwide confederation of more than 400 temples and runs 100 vegetarian restaurants and a wide variety of community serving ...
'Arson' attack hits S.Africa mosque
A mosque in Durban was set ablaze on Monday, in the latest assault on an Islamic building in South Africa, a Muslim leader has said. Images of the charred mosque, located in the suburb of Effingham, showed forensics officers on site and community members inspecting the damage. "The attack happened in the early hours of the morning at around 1:30 a.m. (2330 GMT)," Islamic elder Mohammed Tariq told AFP, adding that no-one was injured because of the early hour. "The mosque itself has been burnt extremely badly and emergency personnel have been on the scene. A case of arson has been opened," he said. Police could not be reached for comment. The attack comes amid tensions between Muslim factions in South Africa, a country that prides itself on its religious tolerance. In a separate case, 11 men are on trial for allegedly attacking Imam Hussain Mosque in the city last May and planting explosive devices in and around Durban malls. They allegedly stabbed worshippers at the mosque near ...
Modi to confer the National Youth Parliament Festival Awards to winners
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will confer the National Youth Parliament Festival awards to the winners at the Vigyan Bhawan here on Wednesday. Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had launched the National Youth Parliament Festival on January 12 this year on the occasion of National Youth Day in order to encourage the youth in the age group of 18-25 years to engage with public issues and understand the common man's point of view. According to a statement from the Ministry, Prime Minister in his Mann Ki Baat address on December 3, 2017 had shared his idea of organising Youth Parliaments for young people in every district of the country. It is to provide a chance to the youth to brainstorm about new India and to find ways and chalk out plans to realise the country's resolves before 2022, the release added. The Prime Minister reiterated his idea to capture the voice of the youth in his address to the youth during the 22nd National Youth Festival on January 12, ...