Page 98 - Religion Belief
Trump to meet Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting victims: White House
US President Donald Trump, along with First Lady Melania, would travel to Pittsburgh on Tuesday to meet the victims of the synagogue shooting, the White House has said. In the deadliest attack on Jews in the history of America, a 46-year-old heavily-armed white man, spewing anti-Semitic threats, stormed a prominent synagogue and massacred 11 worshippers in the US city of Pittsburgh on Saturday. "Tomorrow Trump and the First Lady will travel to meet with victims' families of the Pittsburgh shooting," the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters during her daily news conference on Monday. She said that heinous killing of 11 Jewish-Americans at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Saturday "was a chilling act of mass murder." It was an act of hatred, and above all, it was an act of evil, she added. "Anti-Semitism is a plague to humanity, and it is responsible for many of the worst horrors in human history. We all have a duty to confront anti-Semitism .
Muslim, Christian women attempted to enter into Sabarimala for publicity: KJ Alphons
Union Minister KJ Alphons on Monday questioned the intentions of a Muslim and a Christian woman who attempted to enter the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala.Alphons, while speaking with ANI alleged, that the women did not wanted to visit the temple because of their love for Lord Ayappa but to gain publicity."The statement by the Kerala Chief Minister for BJP president Amit Shah is not acceptable. Who are the people trying to disrupt Sabarimala Temple? A Muslim lady, who doesn't even go to mosque, tries to climb Sabarimala to prove a point. What she wants to prove? There was another Christian girl, who doesn't even go to church. She was going to Sabarimala just to be there before cameras," Alphons told ANI."They want to have 10 seconds of television time. All this is not acceptable. People of Kerala have a certain sentiment for Ayyappa. Therefore, all of us need to respect that," he added.He also slammed Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his remarks against Bharatiya Janata Party ...
Women seeking entry into Sabarimala wanted to disturb law and order: K J Alphons
Women who wanted to enter the Sabarimala temple did so with the intention of disturbing law and order, Union minister K J Alphons said Monday. Talking to the media here, Alphons questioned the intentions of a 'Muslim' and a 'Christian' woman attempting to go to Sabarimala and alleged they were not there because of their love for Lord Ayappa but to create a law and order situation. "Who is trying to disrupt Sabarimala Temple? A Muslim lady who doesn't even go to mosque. She tries to go to Sabarimala to prove a point. There was a Christian girl who doesn't even go to church, she was going to Sabarimala just to be there before cameras," he alleged. "I think this is not acceptable. I like democracy, I like free speech...When you do things which are meant to disrupt the peaceful existence of a society, especially in a place like Kerala where people live completely in harmony and there is absolutely no communal tension. When somebody does this, then what happens? I think this is completely
Tamil Nadu seeks SC nod for bursting firecrackers in morning
The Tamil Nadu government on Monday moved the Supreme Court, urging it to allow bursting of firecrackers in the morning from 4.30 a.m. to 6.30 a.m., as Diwali in the state is celebrated in the morning.
Smriti Irani offers tributes to Sree Narayana Guru
Union Minister Smriti Irani Monday said inspiration for the BJP-led NDA government's flagship programme Swachh Bharat had come from late social reformer Sree Narayana Guru's teachings on sanitation. The Guru's teachings and philosophy were a blend of science and religion, she said. Addressing a Mahila Sammelan at Sivagiri Mutt, founded by the Guru here, Irani said following the philosophy that he propounded would give strength to people to lead a life in the path of "dharma." The function was organised as part of observance of the Guru's 9Oth Mahasamadhi. She also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the Mutt before and after he became the PM as he was attracted to the Guru's teachings. State Minister Kadakampally Surendran and BJP leader V Muraleedharan,MP were among those present.
Sikhs' primary duty to serve others: Naidu
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday lauded Guru Nanak Devji for his "commitment to serve the poorest of the poor" and for laying the foundation of a community whose "primary duty lies in serving the people".
TN seeks modification of SC order on bursting firecrackers, wants permission for morning hours too
The Tamil Nadu government urged the Supreme Court on Monday to allow bursting of firecrackers on Diwali morning as per religious practices in the state, besides the already permitted period between 8 PM to 10 PM. The plea, filed through advocate B Vinod Khanna, sought modification of apex court order that allowed bursting of firecrackers from 8 PM to 10 PM on Diwali and other festivals and said the state should be given permission between 4.30 AM to 6.30 AM as well. According to the petition, as far as Diwali celebrations are concerned, each state or sect has a separate set of beliefs, traditions and culture and the apex court's restriction would amount to "rejecting the people with their due religious rights and would subject the people of the state into much hardship". "Diwali is a practice religiously and scrupulously followed by the Hindus from time immemorial and it had become a core and essential religious practice which is also protected under Article 25 of the Constitution as .
Dispute over Sabarimala between believers and atheists:Raja
BJP Secretary H Raja Monday claimed the dispute over entry of women of all age groups into Sabarimala temple was between believers and atheists. The bar on entry of women in 10-50 age group was a tradition followed only in the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala in Kerala and not applicable to other shrines of the deity, he told reporters here. Those who attempted to enter the temple were not devotees, he claimed referring to the recent stand-off witnessed at the hill temple when devotees prevented some women in the 10-50 age group from entering it. He also alleged that the LDF government under the pretext of geneder equality wanted to make Sabarimala a tourist centre. The dispute in Kerala was not between Hindus and people of other religions, but between believers and atheists, he added. He accused the Kerala government of not implementing a last year's Supreme Court order on a church dispute in the state. Stating that BJP was ready to face elections at any time, Raja ...
Sabarimala protest: Over 3500 people arrested
The Kerala Police has arrested at least 3505 protesters till now in connection with violence that broke out in the state earlier this month over Supreme Court's verdict on Sabarimala Temple.Besides this, around 529 cases have been registered across the state till Sunday.Last week, the police had issued a lookout notice for 210 people, suspected to be involved in instigating violence, manhandling journalists and devotees at Nilakkal, Pamba and Sabarimala over the entry of women in the shrine.Several protests were staged after the doors of the Lord Ayyappa's temple opened on October 17 for the first time in compliance with the apex court's verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the shrine.On September 28, a five-member constitutional bench headed by then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra had allowed the entry of women of a menstrual age (10 to 50) in the temple.However, not a single woman could enter the shrine owing to the widespread protests across the state. The temple closed ..
India, Qatar set up joint commission
India and Qatar on Monday signed a joint declaration to establish an inter-ministerial high-level joint committee to regularly review all bilateral matters, apart from regional and global issues of mutual interest.The joint declaration was signed in presence of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Swaraj and Emir also discussed ways to move forward on the roadmap set by the leaders.Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar tweeted, "Taking the agenda forward. EAM @SushmaSwaraj called on Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Recalled with fondness the visit of Emir to India in March 2015 that was reciprocated by PM Modi in June 2016 and discussed ways to move forward on the roadmap set by the leaders."The External Affairs Minister, who is on a four-day visit to the Gulf countries of Qatar and Kuwait, is also scheduled to interact with the Indian community in
All Hindus should vote for BJP: Rajasthan Minister
Rajasthan Minister of State for Rural Development Dhan Singh has stirred a controversy by seeking votes on the basis of religion even as model code of conduct is in place.Addressing a rally here on October 26, Rawat said: "In Rajasthan, all Hindus should unite to vote for the BJP. If all Muslims can vote en masse for the Congress, all Hindus should do so for the BJP, and help the party win with a huge majority."He was addressing the rally in connection with the state assembly polls which is due on December 7 and counting is on December 11. The tenure of the assembly ends on January 20, next year.Brushing aside his statement, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said that the BJP has never sought votes on the basis of religion. "A voter has no religion. He votes for a person who works for the development of the country. Our party has never sought votes on the basis of religion," Kataria said on Sunday in Jaipur.
Eiffel Tower to go dark for Pittsburgh victims
The Eiffel Tower will go dark at midnight on Sunday "to honour victims of the anti-Semitic attack" in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Paris Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said on Twitter. "I express my support for the Jewish community and all of Pittsburgh's inhabitants," she added. The rampage on Saturday took the lives of 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's predominantly Jewish Squirrel Hill neighbourhood. Robert Bowers, 46, has been charged in the shooting. The lights on the iconic Paris landmark, one of the world's best-known and most-visited monuments, has been switched off several times in the past following terror attacks around the world.
Sushma Swaraj leaves for four-day visit to Qatar, Kuwait
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday departed for a four-day visit to the Gulf countries of Qatar and Kuwait.Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted, "For an enhanced engagement with India's extended neighbourhood. EAM @SushmaSwaraj emplanes for the first leg of a four day visit to the Gulf region. EAM will visit Qatar & Kuwait to take forward discussions & decisions for strengthing the bilateral relationships."Swaraj will have engagements in Qatar on October 28-29 and in Kuwait on October 30-31. This will be her first visit to both the countries.In Qatar, Swaraj will interact with her counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar. She will also call on His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar.During her visit, the External Affairs Minister will also interact with the Indian community in Doha.Qatar hosts about seven lakh Indians who form ..
Kejriwal accuses Shah of creating anarchy
Delhi Cheif Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday accused Bharatiya Janata Party President (BJP) Amit Shah of creating anarchy and encouraging people to violate the orders of the Supreme Court.
US synagogue attack 'inhuman act of violence': Pope
Pope Francis on Sunday called a deadly attack on a synagogue in the United States "an inhuman act of violence", expressing his "closeness to the Jewish community". A man suspected of bursting into the synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday during a baby-naming ceremony and gunning down 11 people has been charged with murder, in the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in recent US history.
Indonesia inaugurates 'Little India Gate' in Medan city
Nearly 7,000 people gathered in Northern Indonesia Sunday to witness the inauguration of 'Little India Gate', the first-of-its-kind structure in the country which recognises the contribution of Indian community in the development of Medan city. The new structure was inaugurated jointly by India's ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Pradeep Kumar Rawat and Mayor of Medan H T Dzulmi Eldin S at Kampung Madras or Madras Village area in Medan city, the fourth largest city in the country. About 7,000 people witnessed the historic moment with great enthusiasm, the Indian embassy in Jakarta said in a statement. Ambassador Rawat said it was a true representation of what Indonesia stood for, which is 'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika' or Unity in Diversity and of the Indian belief in 'Vasudev Kutubakam', meaning the world is one family. Rawat assured the Mayor that the Indian embassy in Jakarta and the Indian Consulate in Medan would assist in promoting 'Little India Gate' as an important tourist ...
Honesty, realism in 'Arthashastra', 'Kamasutra' endeared them to later generations: Doniger
American indologist Wendy Doniger revisits the "Arthashastra" and "Kamasutra" to find connections to key moments of resistance and voices of dissent throughout Indian history and offer insights into the Indian theocracy's subversion of science by an exclusivist version of religion today. There is an honesty and realism in these two texts that endeared them to later generations, she says. "Though heavily embroidered with fantastic details, their basic subject matter is the stuff of real life. Their ideas survived in popular tradition - the 'Arthashastra' in the animal fables of the 'Panchatantra' and the tales of the lion king and his wily jackal counsellor, the 'Kamasutra' in miniature paintings and the carvings on the temples of Khajuraho and Konark," she says. According to her, the "Arthashastra" and "Kamasutra" were part of a vibrant, rich oral and written tradition from the time of their composition to the present; they continued to be known and discussed because they remained ...
Israel with US over 'horrendous antisemitic' synagogue attack: PM
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday expressed grief and solidarity with the United States, after a gunman opened fire in a Pittsburgh synagogue, killing and injuring several people. "I was heartbroken and appalled by the murderous attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue today," Netanyahu said in a video message. "The entire people of Israel grieve with the families of the dead. We stand together with the Jewish community of Pittsburgh. We stand together with the American people in the face of this horrendous antisemitic brutality." Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said "we are thinking of the families of those who were murdered and praying for the quick recovery of those who were injured". Diaspora Minister Naftali Bennett announced he was travelling to Pittsburgh to meet members of the Jewish community and participate in the funerals. "I am going to offer strength to the community and its leaders, and to examine how we can offer assistance," he said in a statement. "When ...
8 killed in US synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh; shooter identified
A gunman opened fire at a Jewish synagogue in the US city of Pittsburgh on Saturday, killing at least eight persons and injuring several others including three policemen, local media reports said. Robert Bowers, 46, surrendered after he was injured during an exchange of fire with the police, according to local media reports. He is being described as a white male, heavy set, with a beard. He is being questioned and treated at hospital. The FBI is investigating this as a "hate crime". Before opening fire, the alleged perpetrator reportedly yelled, "All Jews must die!" President Donald Trump described this as a devastating situation. "Events in Pittsburgh are far more devastating than originally thought," Trump said as he reiterated that those responsible for such mass shooting be given death penalty. FBI agents reached the 'Tree of Life' Congregation Synagogue at Squirrel Hill area in Pittsburgh, where a large number of people had gathered for a morning service when the shooting took ...
Nobody should face discrimination: Adityanath on Sabarimala row
In the wake of the ongoing protests against the entry of women between the ages of 10 and 50 into the Sabarimala Temple, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday opined that nobody should be discriminated against.Addressing the media here, Adityanath also appealed to the Supreme Court to deliver its judgement on the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya as soon as possible."If Supreme Court can give its verdict on Sabarimala Temple, then we appeal that a decision on Ram Mandir should also be taken as soon possible, to ensure peace in the country," he added.Reacting on allegations of the Ram Temple being politicised ahead of the general elections next year, Adityanath, while refuting these reports, said: "The issue of Ram Janmabhoomi is not about politics, it is about religious sentiments and faith."Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister had called on cadres to start preparing for the construction of a temple dedicated to Lord Ram in Ayodhya. The Chief Minister, ...