Page 86 - Religion Belief
Punjab launches Rs 150-cr projects on Guru Nanak Dev birth anniversary
The Punjab government on Friday launched 26 development projects worth Rs 150 crore, including upgradation of infrastructure in the three historic towns of Sultanpur Lodhi, Dera Baba Nanak and Batala, to mark the launch of year-long celebrations of the 550th anniversary of founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev.
2 days can be set apart for women to pray at Sabarimala: Kerala govt tells HC
Amid the stand-off over entry of women of menstrual age into the Lord Ayyappa temple, the Kerala government Friday informed the High Court that two days could be set apart for women pilgrims of all ages to offer prayers at the Sabarimala hill shrine. The suggestion was made when the court was hearing a petition moved by four women devotees seeking protection for women of all age groups to offer prayers at the shrine besides facilities for smooth pilgrimage in the wake of the recent Supreme Court judgement. In their PIL, the four women, in their 20s and 30s, suggested devoting two to three days exclusively to women of all ages "who are desirous to go to Sabarimala after ridding the shrine, its premises and nearby towns from the goons and henchmen" opposing entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine. The petition, filed by Reshma Nishanth, Shanila Sajeesh, Dhanya V S and Surya M, came up before a division bench, comprising Chief Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice A K Jayasankaran .
Amarinder launches year-long celebrations of 550thbirth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Friday launched year-long celebrations of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, and called upon people to set aside their religious and political differences to join his government in making it memorable. Addressing a large gathering in Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district, where Nanak Dev spent over 14 years of his early life, Singh exhorted the people to reconnect with his teachings, principles and ideals. Greeting people on the occasion of 'Gurpurab', he invited people from across the world to participate in the celebrations. As part of the celebrations, Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore inaugurated an exhibition, 'From Rabab to Nagara', curated by historian Mohinder Singh, the director of Delhi-based National Institute of Punjab Studies. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and many senior Congress leaders, including Asha Kumari and Sunil Jakhar, were present on the occasion. Manmohan Singh, Badnore and the .
Pope reveals team picked to organise anti-paedophilia summit
Pope Francis on Friday revealed the organising team for a special meeting on the protection of children next February, in response to the paedophilia scandals that have rocked the church worldwide. His hand-picked team are all close associations of the pope: the archbishop of Malta Charles Scicluna, Father Hans Zollner, US cardinal Blase Cupich and Indian cardinal Oswald Gracias. "The February meeting is unprecedented, and one that shows Pope Francis has made the protection of minors a fundamental priority for the Church," said Vatican spokesman Greg Burke. "This is about keeping children safe from harm worldwide. Pope Francis wants Church leaders to have a full understanding of the devastating impact that clerical sexual abuse has on victims. The event will run from February 21 to 24. Two women with senior positions inside the Vatican will also help organise the event and survivors of abuse will also play a role, he said. "The meeting is primarily one for bishops - and they have much
Minority forum wants BJP's Bengal 'Rath Yatra' cancelled
A state-based minority forum on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to disturb the peace and communal harmony in West Bengal in the name of organising "Rath Yatra" in the state and demanded the proposed event be cancelled.
Khasi fest Seng Kut Snem celebrated in Meghalaya
Thousands of indigenous Khasi and Pnar youths, elderly men and women attired in traditional dress took to the streets in this mountainous state capital of Meghalaya proclaiming the dignity and solemnity of the indigenous Khasi faith and culture on occasion of the annual Seng Kut Snem on Friday.
BJP hits back at KCR, alleges he is desperate for Muslim vote
Reacting sharply to TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao's attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP said on Friday the Telangana caretaker chief minister's statement reflected his "desperation" for Muslim vote. Earlier in the day, Rao said Prime Minister Modi and the BJP are afflicted with a "disease" that has caused "communal madness" and prompted them to block enhanced job quotas for Muslims in Telangana. BJP national spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao alleged that as chief minister, KCR (as Rao is popularly known) has pursued 'rabid, anti-Hindu politics' in the state. "The people of the state will teach him a lesson for his Nizam-like rule with unconstitutional decisions like religion-based reservations and industrial corridors for Muslims," he told PTI. KCR's tacit alliance with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) itself revealed his true communal colours and politics of appeasement, G V L Narasimha Rao alleged. He said the TRS chief has no moral right to comment on
5 lakh people expected to converge in Goa for St Xavier feast
Over five lakh people are expected to gather at Old Goa village near here for the annual Feast of St Francis Xavier, patron saint of the coastal state, to be celebrated on December 3, the organisers said on Friday. The Feast of St Francis Xavier is one of the most important events for the followers of Christianity. The feast is celebrated at Basilica of Bom Jesus, a church located at Old Goa, where the body of the saint who died in 1552 and whose relics are still preserved. "Tomorrow onwards annual Novenas (prayers) to celebrate Jesuit St Francis Xavier will begin, which will culminate into a feast on December 3," Fr Patricio Fernandes, Rector of the Basilica told PTI. He said during the ten days, including nine days of Novenas, more than five lakh people from across the country and also abroad, are expected to arrive in Old Goa to seek blessings of the patron saint. The church has set up three dimension stage within the precincts of the Basilica, which will host the ...
Guru Nanak Jayanti: A time for spirituality and celebrations
Amritsar, the holy city in northern India, is celebrating the auspicious occasion of Guru Nanak's 449th birth anniversary with devotion and zeal.Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurupurab is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism and Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus."Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us the path of truth, righteousness and compassion. He was committed towards eradicating injustice and inequality from society. He also believed in the power of education. We bow to him on his Jayanti and recall his inspiring thoughts," tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.In a landmark decision, on the eve of Guru Nanak Gurupurab, the Union Cabinet on Thursday approved building and development of Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to India-Pakistan International Border.The development of the corridor will facilitate pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on the banks of the Ravi river, in Pakistan, .
C.P. Joshi apologises for 'only brahmins know Hinduism' remark
Senior Congress leader C.P. Joshi on Friday apologised for his remarks a day after a video surfaced of him saying "only brahmins know and can talk about Hinduism".
B-Town celebs pray for peace, love on Gurpurab
On the occasion of Gurpurab -- the birth anniversary of the founder of the Sikh religion Guru Nanak Dev -- Bollywood celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, Shabana Azmi and Madhur Bhandarkar, on Friday sent out wishes for peace, positivity and happiness to their friends and fans.
17 killed, 30 injured in powerful blast in Pak's northwest
A powerful bomb blast ripped through a busy market outside a religious seminary in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Friday, killing at least 17 people and over 30 others, officials said. The explosive material was planted in the Friday Market (Juma Bazar) in Aurakzai tribal district's Kalaya area. At least 17 people were killed while more than 30 others injured, Geo news quoted district administration officials as saying. The blast occurred outside the door of a religious seminary, it said.
C P Joshi's statement contrary to Congress party's ideals: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi broke his silence on Friday over Dr CP Joshi's controversial remark stating only Brahmans can talk about Hinduism.Logging on to Twitter, the Gandhi scion stated that Joshi's remarks do not sync with his political party's ideals and urged his leaders not to utter anything which can hurt the sentiment of any section of the society."C P Joshi Ji's statement is contrary to Congress party's ideals. The party leaders should not give any statement that hurts sentiments of any section of the society."The Congress president also sternly stated that Dr Joshi must express regret over his statement. "While respecting the principles of Congress, the spirit of the workers, Joshiji must surely realize the mistake. He should express regret over his statement," Gandhi wrote on his Twitter handle.Shortly after Gandhi's statement, Joshi expressed regret for his remarks and stated, " With due to the Congress party's principles and its workers, I express regret over my ...
President, PM greet nation on Guru Nanak Jayanti
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted the nation on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti and recalled teachings of the Sikh Guru."Gurpurab greetings to all fellow citizens, especially to our Sikh brothers and sisters in India and abroad. The life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev inspire us to follow the path of peace, compassion and service," read a post on the official Twitter handle of President of India.President Kovind is currently on a three-day state visit to Australia.Prime Minister Modi tweeted, "Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us the path of truth, righteousness and compassion. He was committed towards eradicating injustice and inequality from society. He also believed in the power of education. We bow to him on his Jayanti and recall his inspiring thoughts."Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Guru Nanak Gurpurab, celebrates the birth of the first Guru Nanak, and is considered one of the most sacred festivals among Sikhs.
Congress distances itself from C.P. Joshi's remarks
The Congress on Friday distanced itself from senior leader C.P. Joshi's statement that "only Brahmins know and can talk about Hinduism" with party President Rahul Gandhi saying his remarks were against the ideology of the party and he should apologise for it.
Thousands throng gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana to mark 'Gurpurab'
Thousands of devotees thronged gurdwaras across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh on Friday to offer prayers on the occasion of 'Gurpurab' - the 549th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev.
Only Brahmins can talk about Hindusim, not Modi: Congress' CP Joshi
AICC general secretary and senior Congress leader from Rajasthan, Dr CP Joshi, brewed a fresh controversy by stating that only Brahmins can talk about Hindusim. He also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and central minister Uma Bharti in his speech, questioning why the two speak on Hindu religion when they are not Brahmins or pandits.Joshi also questioned Bharatiya Janata Party's charge against Congress and asked who gave them the authority to decide that a member of his party cannot be a Hindu and can only think about welfare of Muslims."They say a Congressi can't be a Hindu, who gave them the authority to issue certificates? Have they opened a university? If anyone knows about religion then its pandits/brahmins. They are just misguiding the people by such moves. Uma Bharti is a Lodhi, and she talks about Hinduism, Modi ji talks about Hinduism. Its only Brahmins who don't talk about it. The country is being misled. Religion and governance are two different things. Everyone has ..
Modi pays tribute to Guru Nanak on his birth anniversary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute to Guru Nanak Dev on the occasion of his birth anniversary and said the first Sikh Guru taught the path of truth, righteousness and compassion.
S Korea: Pastor jailed for raping women in God's name
The Mega Church Pastor, Jaerock Lee, who raped as many as eight female followers in God's name, was sentenced 15 years in prison on Thursday.According to The Washington Post, the pastor told the victims that he was "carrying out an order from God."In its verdict, the court stated that victims were psychologically positioned to obey Lee."The victims, who attended the church since childhood, believed that obeying Lee as a godlike figure is the path to heaven. Apparently, the victims were psychologically positioned to be powerless to disobey Lee, and Lee took advantage of their status to commit the crime," the verdict asserted.Lee is the head of the Manmin Central Church, which claims to have 133,000 followers, and 10,000 branches and associate churches worldwide, reported The Washington Post.The Pastor was removed from the Christian Council of Korea in 1999 for his "heretical" beliefs and was also branded a "cult leader" by the Korean Ministry Association after he claimed that he was ...
Religious freedom at risk in one of five countries: report
Religious freedom is under threat in one of every five nations around the globe, in part because of an increase in "aggressive ultranationalism", a Catholic NGO said in a report Thursday. Aid to the Church in Need found incidents of religious persecution in 21 countries in the two years to June 2018, including Niger, Myanmar, India and China. Acts of discrimination were reported in 17 other countries such as Algeria, Turkey and Russia, it said. It was the 14th edition of the aid group's report covering all religions in 196 countries, carried out every two years with the assistance of independent journalists. "We've observed a trivialisation of attacks on religious freedom," said Marc Fromager, head of the NGO's French chapter, at a press conference in Paris. Of the 38 countries where freedom is threatened, he said the situation has worsened in 18 of them, "in particular in two of the most populous countries in the world, China and India." "This hostility toward minorities has worsened