Page 95 - Religion Belief
President greets people on occasion of Diwali
President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday conveyed his greetings to the countrymen on the eve of Diwali as he urged citizens to share the joy of the festival with the less privileged. He also asked the people to celebrate a pollution-free and safe festival of lights. "On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, I extend warm greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and around the world. "This festival is an opportunity to foster fraternity and unity among all citizens. Deepawali guides us from darkness towards light. On this occasion let us spread and share our happiness with those who are less fortunate than us," the President said in his message.
Fatwa against wearing nail polish during Namaz
Darul Uloom Deoband, one of the most respected Muslim seminaries in India, has issued a fatwa or a decree, against women and men of the community proferring Namaz or prayer, wearing nail polish.A fatwa was sought by Mohammad Fazal from Muzzafarnagar asking whether using nail polish and keeping long nails by men and women is allowed in Islam. Responding to this Darul Uloom Deoband said that Islam does not prohibit women from using nail polish if they do not contain impure material. They can apply nail polish but before offering Namaz they have to completely remove it because a layer of nail paint hinders the wuzu water (ritual purification) from washing the nails completely. Darul Uloom Deoband added that having long nails is prohibited for both men and women and it is compulsory for them to cut nails after 40 days.Talking about the fatwa, Qari Syed Ishaq Gaura, National President of Jamiat Dawatul Muslimeen and an Imam in Saharanpur, said: "Darul Uloom Deoband has issued a fatwa ...
Deepavali celebrated with zeal in Tamil Nadu
People in Chennai on Tuesday celebrated the festival of light- Deepavali - by organising firework displays, participating in celebratory events and offering prayers at temples.In southern India, scores of people believe that on this day, Lord Krishna killed the demon named Narakasura after a tough battle. Hence the festival is also celebrated as the victory of good over evil.The devotees also believe that after Lord Krishna trounced the demon, he had an oil massage, followed by a hot water bath. Therefore, in emulation of Krishna, people begin their morning by taking an oil bath before the sunrise, burn firecrackers, exchange sweets and don new clothes.Taking cognisance of the impact firecrackers have on the quality of air during the festive season, the Supreme Court had fixed time slots for bursting crackers.The Tamil Nadu government allowed fireworks between 6 am-7 am and 7 pm-8 pm. The government had urged people to burst only those crackers, which have low decibels and pollution ..
AIMIM's 'Shehzada' versus BJP's Shehzadi
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has pitted newcomer Shehzadi as its candidate from the Chandrayangutta constituency against All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi's younger brother Akbaruddin Owaisi, in the upcoming Telangana Assembly elections.Akbaruddin Owaisi is AIMIM's star campaigner and a popular leader among Hyderabad's Muslim community. Known for his controversial comments, Akbaruddin Owaisi was arrested for an alleged hate speech in 2013.On contrary, Shehzadi is just a month old in state politics. However, she appears undaunted by Akbaruddin's popularity and claims that the Muslims in the region are against him."My strategy for the elections is educational growth and national unity. Ever since Independence, no development work has taken place for the Muslim community in Hyderabad. No proper education system is there. 80 per cent of the people here used to ride Rikshaw before Independence and they are doing the same today also. To bring the ...
Sabarimala: 52-year-old female devotee enters temple amid agitation
A 52-year-old female devotee from Thrissur offered prayers at the Sabarimala Temple on Tuesday, amid agitation by protestors regarding her entry.Lalitha's entry into the holy shrine was opposed by protesters suspecting that she belonged to the age group of 10-50. However, she was allowed to enter after verification under police protection.During the protests, a number of media persons, including a cameraman of a Kerala-based television channel, were attacked by agitating devotees.The doors of the Lord Ayyappa Temple reopened on Monday for two days for a special prayer amid tight security.On Monday, the Kerala High Court had ruled that devotees and media persons should not be barred from entering the temple.In the wake of violent protests, the Kerala Police issued prohibitory orders at Pamba, Nilakkal and other areas near the shrine and are maintaining vigil on vehicles going towards the temple.The Pathanamthitta district administration has imposed Section 144 in Sannidhanam, Pamba, ...
BJP mixing religion with politics in devpt works : Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday slammed the BJP for "mixing religion with politics in all development programmes" and "delaying" important projects. Banerjee made the allegation while inaugurating a Rs 60-crore-skywalk at the famed Dakshineswar Temple here after Rani Rasmoni, its founder. The Dakshineswar Rani Rasmoni skywalk would facilitate thousands of people who visit the temple everyday, she said, while accusing the opposition parties in the state - the BJP, CPI(M) and Congress - of "just doing politics" by opposing projects and provoking hawkers. On BJP, she said, "The saffron party has no work other than opposing development activities and dividing people on religious line." "Religion is an individual matter for all, but festival is for everybody. There is no place for religion in any festival, in which everybody is entitled to participate," Banerjee said. Stating that the Dakshineswar temple would soon emerge as an international religious tourist spot, ...
Mamats opens Dakshineswar Skywalk, calls saffron-donning BJP men fake
West Bengal Chief Minister on Monday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) people donning saffron are all "fakes" as the colour stands for sacrifice.
Ex-Jagatguru Shankaracharya to go on fast from Dec 6 for Ram temple in Ayodhya
Urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up cudgels for building a Ram temple in Ayodhya without worrying for his government, prominent Hindu seer Swami Satyamitranand Giri Monday said he would go on a fast from December 6 for the cause. The former Jagatguru Shankaracharya said he would go on the fast at Har Ki Pauri and relinquish his body, if no step is taken for building the Ram temple in Ayodhya by January next year. Also the 'parmadhyaksha' of Bharat Mata Mandir here, the seer appealed to saints all over the country to join the mission for building the Ram temple. "Ram hai to raj hai, sarkar hai (being in power or government has no meaning without Ram)," said Swami Satyamitranand Giri. "Narendra Modi should make the historic move while in power. He should not think in terms of the profit and loss," Swami Giri said, adding the saints cannot wait for eternity for this and the government should not delay it anymore. Swami Giri had reportedly been given the responsibility by the ..
Goa CM, Governor extend Diwali greetings
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Governor Mridula Sinha on Monday extended their greetings and good wishes to people of Goa on the eve of Diwali.In his greetings message, the Chief Minister said, ''Diwali is a festival that illuminates people's minds and hearts with the spirit of oneness and joy. May the festival of lights fills homes of the people with happiness, peace and prosperity."Goa Governor also extended her good wishes to the people.In her message, the Governor said India is known for a myriad of festivals and Diwali is one of the most popular one."Diwali or Deepavali also known as the festival of lights, and is the biggest festival celebrated around the world. People from all walks of life decorate their homes with "diyas", earthenware oil lamps and candles.It is a five-day festival, celebrated to commemorate the return of Shri Ram, the lord of virtue, to his kingdom after 14 years of exile," she said."For some parts in India, it also marks the end of the harvest ...
Talks best way for Ram temple construction: Sri Sri Ravi
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Monday said a dialogue between all parties is the best way to resolve the issue of building a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. Commenting on the growing demand by some political and religious leaders to take the ordinance route to build the Ram temple, he said it should be considered as the last option. "I reiterate dialogue should not stop. That option must always remain open to resolve this issue. All parties must be ready to find a solution through continued talks. I am always ready for that," the Art of Living founder told reporters here Monday. He was here to attend "Dhanvantari Yagna" in Nikol area of the city. "All the religious leaders of different faiths I have talked to, no one has told me that Ram Mandir should not be built. Everyone said that the temple should be built and we all need to find a solution for that" he said. The spiritual guru said there exists three possible ways to construct the Ram temple in ..
Sabarimala Temple reopens for rituals amid heavy security
Amid tight security, the doors of the Sabarimala Temple were reopened around 5 pm on Monday for devotees of Lord Ayyappa.Earlier in the day, the devotees began the trek from Nilakkal base camp to the hill shrine of Sabarimala. After the special 'Athazha Puja', the temple will be closed on Tuesday evening.The Kerala High Court had also ruled that the devotees and media persons should not be barred from entering the temple.In the wake of violent protests, the Kerala Police have issued prohibitory orders at Pamba, Nilakkal and other areas near the shrine and are maintaining vigil on vehicles going towards the temple.The Pathanamthitta district administration has imposed Section 144 in Sannidhanam, Pamba, Nilakkal and Elavunkal till November 6. This prohibits assembly of five or more people in an area. Every member of such an "unlawful assembly" can be booked for "engaging in rioting", the maximum punishment for which is three years.The Sabarimala Temple and its surrounding areas ...
BJP connived to create trouble in Sabarimala: Kerala CM
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday asserted that evidence has surfaced pointing that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in the state connived to create trouble in Sabarimala."The odious politics and perfidious ways of BJP stand exposed. Evidence has surfaced that BJP leaders in the state connived to create trouble in Sabarimala."The chief minister further underlined that the BJP state president was also involved in the move. "It must be noted that their state president himself (Sreedharan Pillai) was involved in the ruse. It is highly condemnable," Vijayan said.The Sabarimala Temple and its surrounding area witnessed a series of protests in October over the Supreme Court's decision to quash restrictions on the entry of females between 10 and 50 years age into the holy shrine. However, in spite of the top court's order no women in menstruating age were able to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the temple when it opened last time.More than 3000 protesters were arrested .
TN Governor, CM extend Diwali greetings
: Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister K Palaniswami and other leaders have extended their wishes to the people of the State on the eve of Diwali. In his greetings, Purohit appealed to the people to brighten the lives of others just like how one lights lamps. "Diwali, the festival of lights, is a day of rejoicing. People across the country celebrate the festival with gaiety and festivity," he said. The Chief Minister, in his greetings, said, "Diwali is celebrated for the killing of a demon Narakasuran. Let the festival bring happiness and prosperity." Regarding it as one of special festivals, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam expressed hope the occasion would get rid of the sufferings of the people and usher in happiness and peace. Pattali Makkal Katchi leader Anbumani Ramadoss, greeting the people, said let the festival foster fraternity and peace among the masses. AMMK chief T T V Dhinakaran said, "Let the festival facilitate us to realise our ...
Devotees, media shouldn't be stopped at Sabarimala: Kerala HC
The Kerala High Court on Monday ruled that devotees and media should not be barred from entering the Sabarimala Temple.The court said that the state government should not interfere in day to day activities of the temple and ordered a department-level inquiry on policemen who had damaged the vehicles during the October 17 protests.Meanwhile, amid tight security, devotees of Lord Ayyappa today began the trek from Nilakkal base camp to the hill shrine of Sabarimala ahead of the temple's opening this evening.After the special 'Athazha Puja', the temple will get closed on Tuesday evening.In the wake of violent protests during the monthly pooja in October, the state police issued prohibitory orders at Pamba, Nilakkal and other areas near the holy shrine, and are maintaining vigil on vehicles going towards the temple.The Pathanamthitta district administration has imposed Section 144, prohibiting the unlawful assembly, in Sannidhanam, Pamba, Nilakkal, and Elavunkal till November 6.The ...
New fatwa: Don't wear nail polish
Darul Uloom Deoband, one of the most respected Muslim seminaries in India, has issued a fatwa or a decree, against women of the community proferring Namaz or prayer, wearing nail polish.Mufti Ishrar Gaura, a cleric at the seminary, said, "Darul Uloom Deoband has issued a fatwa against Muslim women using nail polish because it is un-Islamic and illegal. Rather women should use Mehendi on their nails."Gaura told ANI that Islam does not prohibit women from using beauty products, they can apply nail polish but before offering Namaz they have to completely remove it.The cleric argued that a layer of nail paint hinders the wuzu water (ritual purification) from washing the nails completely.Farah Faiz, an advocate and national president of Rashtriyawadi Muslim Mahila Sangh, opposed the fatwa by the theological school."They never issue a fatwa against men. Islam prohibits a number of things but still, that is carried out by people. They only issue the fatwa against women to do everything with .
Egypt says police kill 19 jihadist suspects linked to Copt attack
Nineteen suspected jihadists linked to a deadly attack on Coptic Christians in central Egypt have been killed in a shootout with police, the interior ministry said Sunday. Those killed in the exchange of fire were part of a cell that left dead seven pilgrims in Friday's attack in Minya province, a statement by the ministry said. "The terrorist elements opened fire on the (security) forces who responded," the statement said. The 19 suspected jihadists were found "as part of a pursuit of terrorist elements involved in carrying out hostile operations in the country, including the last armed attack which targeted citizens returning from the Saint Samuel monastery", the ministry said. The Islamic State group claimed Friday's attack - which killed six Copts and one Anglican - in a message via its propaganda agency Amaq. Raids were undertaken in the mountainous western desert of Minya province to track down the "fugitive terrorist elements", the interior ministry said. Several Egyptian TV ...
Keep all options open for Ram Temple construction: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Sunday said that all options for facilitating the construction of Ram Temple must be kept open and that the community of saints should keep pushing and praying for an early resolution to the matter.Addressing the Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti here, Sri Sri said, "We have three options--firstly we should continue with the talks to resolve the issue, secondly we should request the Supreme Court for the earliest decision in the matter and lastly, we should ask the government for an ordinance. This is a matter which is pending for 500 years and people have some hope. People of India want that a grand temple must be built at Ayodhya. We should make efforts and keep praying to fulfil the wish of people of India."Further highlighting the role of the community of seers, he said, "Whenever there has been any crisis in the country, the communities of saints have come forward to offer its assistance. It is the duty of saints to both maintain peace as well as
American Hindu teacher for Ram temple at Ayodhya
Temples are meant to promote harmony and there should not be any objection to the construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya which is the Lord's birthplace, American Hindu teacher and author David Frawley said Sunday. After releasing his book titled 'What is Hinduism' at the venue of the Mangaluru Literary Festival (Mangaluru Lit Fest-2018) here, he said there was no opposition towards constructing mosques and churches in the country and there should be no opposition for constructing a temple also. Temples are part of national heritage and meant to promote harmony among the people, he noted. In his speech, Frawley, who was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2015, said Hindu religion is the only religion which gave greatest importance to women. Hindus offer poojas to various Goddesses like Saraswathi, Kali, Lakshmi and woman is considered as mother of the universe in the religion, a concept not found in any other religion, he claimed. Frawley, also known as Vamadeva Shastri, said ...
Sabarimala becomes a police fortress
With the Lord Ayyappa shrine opening for a day on Monday, the temple town has been virtually taken over by some 2,300 Kerala Police personnel after protests marred the last pilgrimage season.
Hasina announces to build 560 model mosques, Islamic university in B'desh
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday announced that her government will construct 560 model mosques and an Islamic university with the Saudi assistance, in an attempt to woo hardline Islamists ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled next month. Speaking at an event here, Hasina said the he Saudi government "will assist us in these projects", the Dhaka Tribune reported. Hasina's Awami League party is considered as the secular party while her rival Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is close to hardliners. Her move to build hundreds of mosques is seen as an attempt to woo Islamist voters who have been traditionally voting for Zia's BNP and her ally Jamaat-e-Islami, according to experts. The event was organised by Al-Hiyatul Ulya Lil-Zami'atil Qawmiya Bangladesh, the highest organisation of Dawra-e-Hadith of Qawmi madrasa, to honour the prime minister following her government's recognition of the Dawra-e-Hadith degree of the Qawmi madrasa ...