Page 5 - Religion Belief
Triple Talaq personal issue, nothing acceptable except that in Quran: Azam Khan
Samajwadi Party MP Mohammad Azam Khan said in the Lok Sabha that the issue of triple Talaq was a personal matter of Muslims and nothing else will be acceptable except that mentioned in the Holy Quran.Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, Khan also objected to remarks of BJP leader and union minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi where he had asked if those who do not accept Vande Mataram have a right to live in the country."The constitution is a temple. You cannot force anything. The country should run by the constitution, that is what we want. If that is not done it will be not good for the country," he said.Targeting the BJP-led government which has brought a Bill on triple Talaq to replace an ordinance, he said those who portray to be sympathisers of women should also speak about their troubles."There was reference to triple talaq. One who accepts single Talaq, let it be, one who accepts two, let it be, one who accepts three, let it be, one who ...
Pakistan issues visas to 463 Indian Sikh Pilgrims to observe death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Pakistan on Monday issued visas to 463 Indian Sikh Pilgrims, who will travel to the country to observe the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh from June 27 to July 6.Within the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, thousands of pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals and occasions every year.This time, the High Commission also accommodated those Sikh Yatrees who were granted Pakistani visas for observing Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjun Dev from June 14 to June 23, but could not go to Pakistan. The visas issued by the High Commission in New Delhi are in addition to the travel permission given to Sikh pilgrims participating in the event from different parts of the world."Issuance of a maximum number of pilgrimage visas is in line with the Government of Pakistan's policy of promoting visits to religious shrines and people-to-people contacts. It also reflects the commitment of the Government of Pakistan to ...
Azam Khan hits out at attack on minorities, Owaisi criticises
Samajwadi Party leadert Mohd Azam Khan Monday hit out at the government in Lok Sabha on the issue of attacks on members of the minority community over recital of Vande Matram even as AIMIM's Assaduddin Owaisi warned that alleged lynchings would prevent India from becoming a USD 5 trillion economy. Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, Khan said Muslims had a choice to go to Pakistan during Partition. "Our forefathers decided to stay here. They said this is our country. Graves of our forefathers are here ... You (BJP) never had this choice (of going to Pakistan)," he said. He said it hurts when Muslims are forced to recite 'vande matram'. "If the Constitution says one has to recite from a religious book, I will be the first one to do so," he said. Owaisi said if Muslims are lynched in the name of cow slaughter and wearing skull cap every month, then India would not be able to become USD 5 trillion economy as planned by Prime ...
British Dy High Commissioner Ayre calls on Amarinder
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Monday assured British Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Ayre of full logistic support to the people of Indian origin settled in the UK for visiting Punjab to pay obeisance at Sultanpur Lodhi during the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev. The chief minister promised Ayre, who called on Singh here, that he would personally urge the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to direct the Indian high commissioner in the UK to be liberal in the grant of visa to Indian-origin people, particularly the Punjabi diaspora, for the mega event. "The state government has already initiated preparations on a mass scale, especially in the holy city of Sultanpur Lodhi, where the first Sikh Guru had attained enlightenment and had spent almost 17 years of his life," the chief minister said in an official statement here. Amarinder said other places associated with Guru Nanak Dev, such as Batala and Dera Baba Nanak, were also being spruced up for the ..
Give us our 'Old India' back, says Azad in RS
In a veiled dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Gulab Nabi Azad on Monday mocked his idea of "New India" saying "old India" had no hatred, anger and lynchings.He urged him to return to "Old India" where people of all religions live in peace."I request you to keep New India to yourself and give us our Old India where there was love and culture. Hindus used to feel the pain when Muslims and Dalits used to get hurt. When something used to get into eyes of Hindus, Muslims and Dalits used to shed tears for them," he said opening the discussion on the President's address from the Opposition side.Elaborating on the difference between two ideas, he said, "In Old India, there was no hatred, anger or lynching. New India is one where humans are enemies of each other."Azad's remarks come against the backdrop of the lynching of 22-year-old Tabrez in Jharkhand after he was allegedly forced to recite "Jai Shri Ram" and "Jai Hanuman"."You won't be scared of .
Special prayers held in Hyderabad temple to check crimes
Voicing concern over increasing number of child rape cases across the country, priests at a famous temple here performed prayers to prevent such crimes. Amid chanting of vedic hymns, the priests of Chilkur Balaji temple took three cows around the sanctum sanctorum thrice and over 1,500 devotees witnessed the 'pradakshinams' (circumbulation) on Saturday afternoon, the head priest, C S Rangaraja told PTI. The objective is to put an end to all such crimes against children, he said adding "We prayed for divine protection for children." Stressing the need to be vigilant, the head priest said those who exploit children roam around the world like predators, looking to prey upon the vulnerable. Poularly known as 'Visa Balaji Temple', it is situated on the banks of Osman Sagar lake near here and is one of the oldest temples.
Special prayers organised for rains in Mumbai
In an attempt to appease the rain god, special prayers were organised at Sri Sankara Mattham temple in Matunga here on Sunday.Shiva Subramanian, Secretary, Sankara Mattham, said: "We believe this puja will appease the rain god and get rains."This is not for the first time that such puja has been organised to appease the rain god. Such religious functions have been organised in different parts of the country.Earlier, Udupi Nagarika Vedike (Udupi Citizen Forum) in Karnataka had arranged the marriage of two frogs to appease the rain god.
Israeli city cuts Jesus link from name to avoid confusion
An Israeli city often confused with its famous neighbour Nazareth, where Christians believe Jesus was raised, has changed its name in the hope of consolidating its separate identity. A poll of over ten thousand residents of Nazareth Illit (Upper Nazareth) overwhelmingly approved the proposal to rename the city Nof Hagalil (View of the Galilee), with Mayor Ronen Plot finalising the move in a festive Friday meeting. The city had received governmental approval six months ago to go ahead with the change, with a committee selecting the name that won residents' approval, a municipal spokeswoman told AFP on Sunday. Nazareth Illit was established in the late 1950s, just three kilometres (about two miles) and a 10-minute drive from Nazareth, with its name meant to be a temporary fix. "The temporary name became permanent and caused total confusion," spokeswoman Orna Buhbut said, noting that every single mayor in the city's 62 years had attempted -- and failed -- to change it. Nazareth is the ...
Rare artworks on display at 'International Quran Exhibition'
More than 100 rare artworks and a 1,400 year-old-rare manuscript handwritten by Hazrath Ali and the grandson of Prophet Muhammed, Hazrath Imam Hassan, were put on display Saturday at an International Quran Exhibition organized by the Consulate of Iran at Salar Jung Museum here. "A variety of artworks are on display at the exhibition, which also features more than 100 rare artworks showcasing Islamic calligraphy, verses of the Quran presented in beautiful works of art by renowned Irani calligraphers and rare manuscripts," a release said. Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Aliinaugurated the international seminar on Quran and International Quran Exhibition. A 1,400-year-old rare manuscript handwritten by Hazrath Ali and the grandson of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) Hazrath Imam Hassan were also on display. These art works are regularly exhibited in Iran and in different countries. However, this is the first time the exhibition is being held in Hyderabad," the release ...
Ambulances donated to Muzaffarpur hospital, Kanhaiya Kumar not
A former IPS officer on Saturday donated two ambulances, a hearse and other materials to the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital here, where 127 children have died due to suspected case of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). Acharya Kishore Kunal, also ex-chairman of the Bihar State Board of Religious Trusts, donated 40,000 packets of ORS, biscuits and glucose each to the hospital. Accompanied by Baba Garibnath temple's chief priest Vinay Pathak, Kunal handed over the materials and vans to the district administration to help the children suffering from suspected AES in the SKMCH and their families. Meanwhile, JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar came to Muzaffarpur to visit the SKMCH but he was not allowed to enter its paediatric ICU and general ward following an order of the hospital authorities. The SKMCH superintendent had issued an order on Thursday that no outsider including mediapersons is allowed to enter the hospital's paediatric unit. Kumar, who ...
TN: State government conducts 'Yajna' for rains
Resorting to prayers in the face of acute water scarcity, Tamil Nadu government on Saturday conducted special 'Yajna' at Patteeswarar temple in Perur.State water supply minister S P Velumani was also present during the special prayers.A holy fire was lit up surrounding which priests conducted the 'Yajna'. Prayers in the form of 'mantras' were chanted throughout.A similar event was reported from Madurai earlier in June, where unique prayers were offered to rain gods in the form of processions.This comes after scorching heat wave gripping a large part of the country and sections of Tamil Nadu being severely hit by drought.
Rare calligraphic works from Iran on display at Quran exhibition in Hyderabad
Masterpieces of Irani caligraphy, including a rare Islamic manuscript, which is reportedly over a thousand years old, are among the exhibits on displayed at an international Quran Exhibition that began here on Saturday.The three-day long exhibition has been organised by the Iran Embassy here.Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Iran H.E. Prof. Dr. Abdul Hadi Fiqhizadeh, Agha Mahdi Mahdavipour, the representative of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatullah al Uzam Khamenei in India and, Consul General in Hyderabad H.E. Muhammed Haqbin Ghomi attended the press briefing here on Friday.Dr Fiqhizadeh said that that the exhibition will feature more than 100 masterpieces of Irani caligraphy of verses of Quran including more than the 1400-year-old rare manuscript handwritten by Hazrath Ali and the grandson of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), Hazrath Imam Hassan.Also, an international seminar on the contribution of Indo Iran Exegesis of the Holy Quran will be held today which will be ...
Odisha minister faces flak for calling himself 'God', CM Naveen Patnaik 'Lord Jagannath'
Odisha's Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Sudam Marandi on Friday drew flak for calling himself "God" and equating Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik with Lord Jagannath.Marandi's remark, which has offended the servitors of Haribaldev Jew temple at Baripada, is being circulated widely on social media.At a meeting on Wednesday, Marandi said that the servitors, who had begun a 'padayatra' (foot march) from Baripada to Naveen Niwas (Bhubaneswar) for the fulfilment of their eight demands, should have held a meeting with him first. Notably, the march was later withdrawn.The Bangiriposi MLA had actually implied that since he is their elected leader, the servitors should have met him first. And even if their issues were not taken care of, they should have met the Odisha Chief Minister.Registering strong protests against Marandi's statement, servitors of Haribaldev Jew temple, Kameswar Tripathy and Arun Mishra, said the MLA will be "punished by Lord Jagannath".Baripada MLA Prakash ..
Not favouring any religion, says Guj pilgrimage board to HC
The Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board of the state government has told the Gujarat High Court that it is not involved in promoting and developing pilgrimage sites of a particular religion as alleged in a Public Interest Litigation filed last year. In its affidavit submitted on Friday, before the division bench of acting Chief Justice A S Dave and Justice Biren Vaishnav, the board said the PIL was meant for publicity and needs to be dismissed as it lacks merit. The bench has asked the petitioner to file reply by July 12. The board told the court that its main objective was to provide "basic facilities and amenities to all the important pilgrimage centres, irrespective of any faith", and "not to promote or develop pilgrimage sites of any specific religion as canvassed by the petitioner in the PIL". These basic facilities include transportation, subsidies, water, electricity and other facilities for tourists, it said. "The petition deserves to be dismissed. The petitioner submits that the ...
18th century Christian convent ruins in Goa gets heritage tag
The Goa government Friday declared the 18th century ruins of a Christian convent as a heritage structure, paving the way for its conservation. The structure, among the first institutions of Christian studies in the state, is situated in Chimbel village near here. "The request for declaring the faade of the building, which once housed institution of Christian religious studies and then a mental hospital in 1930, was made by Charles Correa Foundation to the state government," Goa Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai said. "This structure is an important site in cultural history of Goa. It was established in 1750 and it was one of the first institutions for Christian studies. Many Goans studied there to become priests," he said. Sardesai said Correa Foundation had made a request to declare it as a protected structure under Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulation Act, 2010. "There is a significant architectural and archaeological study already .
5th International Yoga Day: Tibetan, Indian Buddhist monks perform yoga at event in Shimla
Tibetan and Indian Buddhist monks performed yoga on the occasion of 5th International Yoga Day on Friday, in the presence of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Governor Acharya Dev Vrat.Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel, differently abled children and Buddhist monks gathered here to perform yoga asanas together."Yoga is an intrinsic part of our lives and it releases all the stress and tension, giving us inner peace and strength. We all should perform yoga every morning at least for 20 minutes." Tibetan Buddhist monk Yarphel Lama told ANI."I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking this initiative and marking this day as International Yoga Day. Yoga adds to the development of our society, yoga shows us different ways in which we can keep ourselves healthy and strong" another Buddhist monk Tenzin Dorjee told ANI.Health minister Vipin Singh Parmar said that "This is a good beginning that the Buddhist monks have also joined the yoga day practice in Shimla. The ...
Fadnavis, Ramdev lead Yoga Day celebrations in Maharashtra
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and yoga guru Ramdev performed various 'asanas' as they led International Yoga Day celebrations in the state here at an event attended by over one lakh people. The state-level function to mark the day was held at a sprawling ground here in Central Maharashtra where Fadnavis and Ramdev performed various 'asanas' (poses). It was organised by various social, religious and educational institutions. Speaking on the occasion, Fadnavis said, "Yoga is an essential part of life as it helps in healthy living. Today, more than 150 nations have taken to yoga for good health." He hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts in getting the United Nations declare June 21 as the International Day of Yoga five years ago. Modi's proposal on celebrating the International Day of Yoga was supported by more than 150 countries at the UN, Fadnavis said. Ramdev has helped in popularising the ancient discipline with roots in India all over the world, ..
Sri Lanka Pres praises Modi for bringing yoga to international stage
On the occasion of International Yoga Day, Sri Lankan President Maitripala Sirisena praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts to bring the "common heritage" of India and Sri Lanka to the international stage.He also urged everyone to practice yoga."I compliment my friend @narendramodi for his efforts at bringing our common heritage of Yoga to the international stage. I urge all to practice yoga like me," he tweeted.Sirisena also shared a video in which he could be seen performing various asana including Vriksasana and Bhujangasana.The idea of International Day of Yoga was first proposed by Modi during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 27 September 2014."We consider Yoga as a form of meditation. There are similarities between instructions inspired by Buddhism for conducting a healthy life," he said in Sinhalese."Daily workouts, meditation and Ayurvedic practices are of extreme importance to live a happy and blissful life," he added.Later, Modi ...
Oppn seeks Muslim quota in Maha; govt says no provision for it
Opposition parties Friday demanded 5 per cent reservation for Muslims in education and government jobs in Maharashtra, but the BJP-led dispensation countered them, saying there is no provision for religion- based quota in the Constitution. Congress and NCP MLCs vociferously raised the demand in the Maharashtra Legislative Council. Taking part in a calling attention moved by Manisha Kayande (Shiv Sena), Congress and NCP legislators said despite a large section of Muslims falling under the economically weaker section, the state government has failed to offer any reservation benefits to the community in education and jobs. However, Minister for Higher and Technical Education Minister Vinod Tawde said the ruling BJP cannot go against constitutional provisions regarding quota. "Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar had categorically mentioned at the time of drafting the Constitution that reservation should not be provided on the basis of religion. "The BJP, as the party in power, cannot set ..
MP to move Private Member Bill in LS to ban entry of 10-50-yr old women into Sabarimala temple
Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) MP N K Premachandran will move a Private Member's Bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday, seeking a ban on the entry of women aged 10-50 years in the Ayyappa temple, also known as Sabarimala temple.The Private Member's Bill -- Sabarimala Sreedharma Sastha Temple (Special Provision) Bill 2019 -- seeks to maintain the status quo on religious practices of the Sabarimala temple, which existed before the Supreme Court order last year.On September 28, 2018, the Supreme Court declared a Kerala government law barring women aged between 10-50 years from entering the shrine unconstitutional.Reacting to Premachandran's move, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said: "If a law helps in preserving the custom and tradition, it is a good thing. However, we know it is not going to happen so easily.""The Centre should address the issue immediately. We have already requested the Centre to pass legislation in connection with the Sabarimala issue. We have urged the ...
