Page 12 - Religion Belief
Muslims got their share during partition, says Maharashtra BJP leader
Maharashtra BJP leader Madhav Bhandari on Sunday said that Muslims were given their share in 1947, a reference to the partition of the country and formation of Pakistan.Responding to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi's statement that Muslims are not tenants in India, Bhandari said, "It would be good if Owaisi Sahab speaks before due consideration. No one has called him a tenant. But if he talks about the share, it was given to them (Muslims) in 1947. Now, the matter is over."Addressing a gathering on Friday in Hyderabad, Owaisi had said that Muslims were not tenants in India and that they cannot be denied the rights guaranteed to them by the Constitution."We have to keep India prosperous, we will keep India prosperous. We (Muslims) are equal residents and not tenants. We are equal stakeholders here," he had said.The Hyderabad parliamentarian had also said that Muslims need not worry after Modi's return to power at the Centre as the Constitution guarantees every citizen's rights.
Shab-e-Qadar, night of power and blessings, observed in Kashmir
Shab-e-Qadar, the night of power and blessings, was observed across Kashmir valley with religious fervour as the historic Jamia Masjid in the summer capital here witnessed the largest congregation of devotees. As part of the festivities, Muslims thronged mosques and shrines across the valley Saturday night for prayers and recitation of the Quran as the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhaan is about to end. Along with the Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of the city, scores of devout Muslims gathered at Hazratbal, Dast-e-Geer Sahib and Sayed Yaqoob Shah shrines. Muslims across the world perform night-long prayers on the 26th night of Ramzan to celebrate the first revelation of Holy Quran to Prophet Mohammad. Preachers and religious scholars highlighted the teachings of Islam and various aspects of the life of the Prophet and urged Muslims to follow the same.
J-K: Indian Army hosts Iftar
Setting an example of communal harmony, the Indian Army on Saturday hosted Iftar here to celebrate the holy month of Ramzan.Speaking to ANI, an attendee Jaffer Bashir said: "On this pious occasion, district officers, local civil members and various other prominent people cutting across the religious lines gathered at the Army headquarters to relish the Iftar dinner. This sends a strong message across the country that the Army is not only there to impose law and order in the state, but also to spread goodwill among the people of different communities."People also offered prayers before sitting down in long rows to savour the meal.Another guest Mohammad Abdula Bhatt echoed the similar sentiment and said: "The function organised by the Army is a step towards uniting different communities. We, wholeheartedly, welcome such initiatives."During this month, the devout observe rigorous fasting for about 30 days and do not consume food or water from dawn to dusk. They eat Sehri (a pre-dawn ...
Pro-Palestine march in Germany amidst anti-Semitism concerns
Against the backdrop of growing concerns over the rise in anti-semitic crimes in Germany, an estimated 2000 pro-Palestinian protesters on Saturday (local time) marched through the streets of Berlin as part of the annual al-Quds Day.According to a report by DW news agency, protestors raised slogans of "Child murderer Israel" and " "Zionism is racism," and carried placards that read "Free Gaza" and "Palestine will be reborn!"The rally holds significance as it reflects the ongoing debates within Germany around anti-semitism. In a recent interview to CNN, the country's chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledged that the issue continues to be a problem even seven decades after the end of Holocaust, in which more than six million Jews lost their lives."We have always had a certain amount of antisemites among us," said Merkel. "Unfortunately there is to this day not a single synagogue, not a single daycare centre for Jewish children, not a single school for Jewish children that do not need to be .
Pope braves rain-soaked mountain roads for Transylvania Mass
Pope Francis braved a rain-soaked, twisting drive through the mountains of Transylvania on Saturday to visit Romania's most famous shrine, urging Romanian and ethnic Hungarian faithful to work together for their future. Storms forced Francis to change his travel plans and add in a three-hour car ride through the Carpathian mountains that he had planned to traverse via helicopter. The steady rains doused the estimated 80,000-100,000 people who gathered for the Mass at the Sumuleu Ciuc shrine, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The showers let up as Francis arrived and he made a quick run through the poncho-clad crowds in his popemobile. But the 82-year-old seemed unsteady after the long trip and held onto the arms of aides as he negotiated a mud-slicked path to get to the altar for Mass. In his homily, Francis praised the multicultural and multilingual tapestry that makes up Romania and urged its people to put aside past divisions for the sake of "journeying together." The rights ..
Hinduism not blamed for LTTE bombings, then why link Islam to terrorism: Imran Khan
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday asserted that Islam has nothing to do with terrorism."No one ever blamed Hinduism for Tamil Tigers' bombings or Japanese religion when they blew up themselves on US ships. So why Islam is branded so?" Khan said during the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Makkah.He, however, asserted that "the Muslim world has not been able to powerfully convince the world that Islam has nothing to do with terrorism," adding that the OIC should clarify its 'propaganda' about Muslims.The OIC is an international organisation founded in 1969.One of its main aims is to preserve Islamic social and economic values and uphold international peace and security.But some critics say it lacks real engagement and solutions for Muslim countries in crisis even as it made progress socially and academically.
Modi to offer prayers at Guruvayur Temple on June 8
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will offer prayers at the famed Sri Krishna Temple in Kerala's Guruvayur on June 8. This will be Modi's first visit to the southern state after assuming office as prime minister for the second consecutive time. According to temple sources, the prime minister is expected to spend at least 45 minutes at the shrine, dedicated to Lord Krishna. "We have got confirmation that the prime minister will visit the shrine on June 8. According to the information received, he will reach the temple by noon and take part in 'uchapooja'," a senior Guruvayur Devaswom official told PTI. The official, however, said they do not have any information as to whether any other ministers would be accompanying Modi. BJP sources here told PTI that the prime minister would only to offer prayers at the shrine and no other official or party programmes were scheduled as of now. "The prime minister is expected to reach the state by 11.30 am and return by 4 pm the same day," the source told
Apna Dal will not merge with BJP
The Apna Dal will not merge with the BJP even if that means staying out of the Modi 2.0 government.
Muslims feel safe under Modi govt: Iqbal Ansari
Iqbal Ansari, the main litigant in the Babri Masjid dispute, on Saturday supported AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi over his "Muslims need not worry over Modi's return" statement and said that Muslims feel safe under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government."Whatever Asaduddin has said is right. Muslims are feeling safe under Narendra Modi's government. Muslims are able to freely practice their religion," Ansari said.He said that Muslims and the ruling party are in complete sync and accused the Opposition Congress of instilling fear in the minds of people of the community. "BJP is with Muslims and Muslims are with BJP. People from all religion are with BJP. No one would have imagined that BJP will have such a huge majority," the community leader stated.He said, "We Muslims want to work for the nation and will never like to defame nation or cause any harm."Ansari's views were echoed by Satyendra Das, the main priest of Ram temple, who said: "Our opponents have created a fear that Muslims .
'Disgraced' Owaisi behind terrorism, anti-India slogans: Ayodhya priest
"Disgraced" people like Asaduddin Owaisi are responsible for terrorism, raising of anti-India slogans and bringing a bad name to Islam, Chhawani Temple priest Pramhans Das on Saturday said here."There are some disgraced people like Owaisi in the society who help extremism to grow. Aatankwadiyon ka agar kahin network milta hai to usme kahi na kahi usme Owaisi ka hath hai (Owisi is, somehow, responsible for the terrorism.) People like Owaisi are behind the raising of anti-India slogans. People like him bring a bad name to Islam," Das said.He slammed Owaisi for his statement that Muslims need not fear by Modi returning to power and said that every citizen is respected in the country. "There was never. It seems Owaisi wants to say that Muslims lived in fear ever since," the priest said.He said: "People like Owaisi live in the country but keep anti-India ideology. People should rescue themselves from these people."AIMIM chief Owaisi had on Friday said Muslims are free to follow their faith
Kerala Ramadan congregation ends with pledge against terrorism
A Ramadan congregation near here which is billed as one of the country's largest and held annually on the 26th night of the Muslim holy month, ended on Saturday with a pledge against terrorism and prayers for universal peace.
If Modi can visit temple, we can visit mosques : AIMIM chief asks Muslims not to worry about BJP's return to power
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday said Muslims are free to follow their faith and visit mosques and should not be worried about the BJP's return to power, as the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to every citizen."If Modi can visit a temple we can visit our mosques, if Modi can go sit in a cave, we Muslims can also proudly say our prayers in mosques. Securing more than 300 seats is not a huge thing, Because India has a living Constitution. The 300 seats (of the BJP) cannot take away our rights," said Owaisi.The AIMIM chief, who was re-elected from Hyderabad for the fourth consecutive term, was addressing a Jalse-e-Youm-ul-Quran on the occasion of Jumat-Ul-Vida (last Friday of Ramzan) at Macca Masjid here on Friday.The Hyderabad parliamentarian said: "Even in Uttar Pradesh, BJP won, at least public should understand what happened there. If BJP thinks that by winning 300 seats they can rule over India, they are wrong. I promise that Asaduddin Owaisi will fight for India.
Sheila Diskshit participates in Roza Iftar at DPCC
Delhi Congress president Sheila Dikshit, Congress workers and a large number of people from the Muslim community, took part in the Roza Iftar party organized by the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) here on Friday.Besides Dikshit, prominent among those who took part in the Iftar party were All India minority President of Congress Nadeem Javed, Ex-MLA Haroon Yusuf, Devender Yadav, Mateen Ahmed, Mangat Ram Singhal etc.Sheila Dikshit said: "Roza fast teaches people self control and moderation, and the Roza Iftar party gives an opportunity for people from different religious faiths to congregate and strengthen their bonds and brotherhood"."On this pious occasion, people from all walks of life and all communities meet each other and extend greetings to uphold the hoary tradition of India in fostering brotherhood and religious amity," she added.
Muslims are shareholders, not tenants in India: Owaisi
Stating that Muslims are shareholders and not tenants in India, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday said their fight to get the rights guaranteed by the country's Constitution will continue.
Don't worry about BJP's return to power: Owaisi to Muslims
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi Friday said the country's Muslims should not worry about the BJP's return to power as the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to every citizen. The Hyderabad MP also hit out at the perpetrators of the April 21 Easter Sunday serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka, which left more than 250 people dead. The Bharatiya Janata Party capped a massive mandate by winning a total of 303 seats while the NDA has 353 MPs in the recently elected 17th Lok Sabha. "India's law, Constitution gives us this permission that we follow our religion," the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief said in his address to a gathering at the Makkah Masjid here. "When India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi can go to a temple, you can proudly visit a mosque," he told the gathering. Slamming those behind the terror attacks on churches and luxury hotels in the island nation, Owaisi said there was no place for violence in Islam. The Islamic State group had claimed responsibility for
Pope praises 'sacrifices' of Romanians seeking fortune abroad
Pope Francis on Friday praised the "sacrifices" of Romanian emigrants on the first day of his trip to the country, where rampant unemployment and poverty have pushed millions of youngsters to seek better lives abroad. Francis said the exodus had led to the "depopulation of many villages" in Romania, which still faces major socio-political problems despite joining the EU in 2007. "I pay homage to the sacrifices endured by so many sons and daughters of Romania who... have enriched those countries to which they have emigrated, and by the fruit of their hard work have helped their families who have remained at home," he said in a speech broadcast on national television. Francis arrived in Bucharest earlier Friday with a message of integration for faith communities and a post-election European Union following nationalist gains. Thousands of people had gathered along the capital's main boulevards to wave to Francis on his way to the presidential palace, with many TV channels broadcasting ...
Politics and prayers for the last days of Ramadan in Mecca
Islam's holiest city Mecca is abuzz with pilgrims in the last days of the fasting month of Ramadan, despite tight security for high-profile gatherings of Muslim and Arab dignitaries. At a palace overlooking the Grand Mosque, Saudi Arabia's King Salman hosted back-to-back emergency summits of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Arab League in the early hours of Friday. Some roads remained blocked as Mecca geared up to host a third meeting later in the day, a long-scheduled gathering of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. As the flags of participating countries fluttered in the streets, worshippers in white flocked towards the Grand Mosque that surrounds the Kaaba stone towards which Muslims pray. Mecca sees an influx in the last 10 days of Ramadan, which believers consider the holiest month. Pilgrims from all over the world spend those days praying in the Grand Mosque as well as other places of worship in the holy city, entry to which is forbidden for non-Muslims. Emirati visitor ...
Pope visits Romania 20 years after John Paul's historic trip
Pope Francis is heading to Romania for a three-day, cross-country pilgrimage that in many ways is completing the 1999 trip by St. John Paul II that marked the first-ever papal visit to a majority Orthodox country. Francis' visit starting Friday comes on the heels of the European Parliament elections that hollowed out the political middle in the bloc, and Francis is expected to speak about issues confronting the continent during the trip. Key moments are Francis' Mass for the largely Hungarian-speaking Roman Catholic faithful at the country's most famous Marian shrine, Sumuleu Ciuc, in eastern Transylvania. He will also beatify seven Greek-Catholic bishops who were martyred during communist rule, when Catholics were brutally persecuted.
US lesbian couple sues after foster agency turns them away
A lesbian couple in South Carolina is challenging the US state's practice of letting taxpayer-funded foster care agencies reject prospective parents who don't share their religious beliefs.
Maharashtra: Hindu officer observes 'roza' on behalf of ailing driver
Keeping religious beliefs aside and placing humanity first, Sanjay N Mali, a Divisional Forest Officer in Buldhana, is observing 'roza' (fast) in place of his driver Zafar during the holy month of Ramzan.Speaking to ANI, Mali said, "On 6 May, I asked him if he will keep roza. He said he won't be able to as his health does not support him because of duty. So, I told him I will do it in his place.""Since May 6, I have been keeping roza. I wake up at 4 am and eat something. Then I break my roza after 7 pm," he said while detailing about his schedule.Mali believes that every person should do his/her bit to spread communal harmony.Calling the practice an 'ideal example of communal harmony', he said, "I believe every religion teaches us something good. We must spread communal harmony. We first see humanity, religion is secondary. After keeping roza, I am feeling very fresh."The Ramzan fast begins with a pre-dawn meal called 'sehri'. At sunset, when it's time to mark the end of the daylong ..
