Page 16 - Religion Belief
PM performs puja at Kedarnath after meditating for 17 hrs, will also visit Badrinath
Prime Minister Sunday performed puja at the Kedanath shrine after meditating for 17 hours at a holy cave near the temple. He reached the shrine situated at a height of 11,755 feet near the Mandakini river on Saturday and paid obeisance. He also took stock of development work in the temple town. Later in the day, he is expected to be in Badrinath, another temple in Uttarakhand's 'char dham' religious circuit. This is Modi's fourth visit to the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the last two years. The portals of Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines reopened for devotees earlier this month after the winter break. The prime minister arrived at the Jolly Grant airport Saturday morning and then went directly to Kedarnath, officials said.
Salvadoran priest found murdered in parish church: police
A priest was found murdered in his church in a small town west of San Salvador, a police source said Saturday. The Catholic cleric, identified as Cecilio Perez, was found by parishioners in the San Jose La Majada church in Juayua, an agent of El Salvador's National Civil Police told AFP, on condition of anonymity. The officer said an investigation was in its earliest stages and it was not yet known who might have killed the priest. The Catholic Church in El Salvador has so far issued no statement on the killing. El Salvador last year tallied 3,340 homicides. That was 15 per cent less than in 2017, but still amounted to a rate of 51 killings per 100,000 inhabitants, making it one of the world's most violent countries not at war. Feared gangs are blamed for much of the violence. With an estimated 70,000 members, they make a living mainly from drug trafficking and extortion.
Tgana BJP leaders perform 'yagam' seeking Modis return as PM
BJP leaders in Telangana Saturday performed a 'Yagam' at Warangal seeking divine blessings for Narendra Modi to become Prime Minister again. The Raja Syamala Maha Yagam (religious ritual) was performed at Hanmakonda in Warangal district, seeking the blessings of Goddess Bhadrakali for Modi, the BJP said in a release. Modis rule has been popular and pro-people, but he had to face some obstacles, it said. Prayers have been offered to the goddess so that Modi would have her blessings in his second stint as PM and all obstacles are removed, it said. State BJP president K Laxman attended the event as chief guest. Prayers have also been offered, wishing that Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are freed from the rule of 'Chandras (Chief Ministers K Chandrasekhar Rao and N Chandrababu Naidu) and BJP expands, the release added.
Hindu-Muslim unity stands tall in Malerkotla amid poll cacophony
In Punjab's only Muslim-majority city of Malerkotla, a mosque and a temple share a common wall, a Muslim man sells prasad outside a Hanuman Mandir and a Brahmin-owned press prints greeting cards for Ramzan. Azan blends with the aarti and clerics and priests recount tales of love and brotherhood, unfazed by the political hustle and bustle in the city in the election season. Mohammad Yaseen, 33, who sells prasad outside the Hanuman Mandir in the bustling Tajpora market, says Malerkotla did not witness a single communal clash even at the time of Partition. "The incidents you have heard of were the handiwork of outsiders. Here, Muslims attend Mata ki chowki and Hindus prepare sharbat for Iftar," he says. "The recent burning of Guru Granth Sahib in Hathoa village of the city was accidental. In 2016, some outsiders desecrated our holy book. Earlier too, inimical elements tried to breach the peace in the city but failed. Our brotherhood has withstood the tests of time," he says. Across the ..
Month after Easter attack, Sri Lanka invokes Gautam Buddha on Vesak
As Sri Lanka recovers from the deadliest terror attack in a decade and episodes of communal violence that followed, President Maithripala Sirisena, while conveying his greetings for Vesak or Buddha Poornima, urged the nation to "recollect the teachings of Buddha" and build a "society with boundless peace"."On this momentous day of Vesak, we must recollect the teachings of the Buddha to build a society with boundless peace by shunning all attempts to destroy each other for the greed for power," Colombo Page quoted Sirisena as saying."For a society to blossom without fear, danger and mistrust, the Buddha has preached. 'Hatred will not heal hatred but kindness will heal hatred'. It is the time we became strong enough to, truly, meaningfully and honestly relate this eternal truth," he added.More than 70 per cent of the country's population follows the Buddhism faith.Echoing the message, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Buddha's teachings will "open the way for ...
Kovind, Naidu, Modi greet nation on Buddha Purnima
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted the nation on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
Word 'Hindu' not native to India, given by Mughals and endorsed by British: Kamal Haasan
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan who drew flak from all political quarters and Hindu groups for his remarks on Nathuram Godse, on Saturday once again stoked a possible controversy by saying that the word "Hindu" is of foreign origin and not native to India.Taking to Twitter, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Haasan shared a poem on Friday in Telugu saying "the name Hindu was given by foreign rulers".Haasan said the term 'Hindu' was given by Mughals or by others who came earlier to rule, adding that the British who later ruled the nation seconded the term.He said that neither the Alwars and Nayanmars, poet-saints in southern India during the first millennium CE, gave the religious note "Hindu".Citing a Tamil proverb - "Living in harmony has a million benefits", the MNM chief opined that shrinking the nation within religion is commercially, politically and spiritually wrong."Neither 12 Alwars nor 63 Nayanmars gave the religious note "Hindu". We were named "Hindu" either by Mughals .
President Kovind, PM Modi extend greetings on Buddha Purnima
As scores of devotees today celebrate Buddha Purnima, the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, political leaders greeted the nation on the occasion and highlighted the importance of Lord Buddha's teachings.In his message, President Ram Nath Kovind said that Lord Buddha's message of peace; non-violence and compassion hold greater significance in today's time. "Greetings and good wishes to fellow citizens and to the global Buddhist community on #BuddhaPurnima. Lord Buddha's message of peace, non-violence and compassion hold even greater significance today. May his teachings guide us towards universal fraternity #PresidentKovind," he tweeted.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to micro-blogging site Twitter and wished the countrymen on the occasion."Greetings to all the countrymen on Buddha Purnima. I wish Lord Buddha's great messages on Truth, non-violence, mercy, compassion and peace continue to inspire countrymen," the Prime Minister tweeted.Modi also shared pictures from his ...
President Kovind greets nation on Buddha Purnima eve
President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday extended greetings and good wishes to the nation on the eve of Buddha Purnima.In an official statement, the President said, "On the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima, I offer warm greetings and good wishes to all fellow citizens as well as followers of Lord Buddha across the world.""The values of non-violence, peace, compassion and service to humanity embodied in the teachings of Lord Buddha have profoundly influenced human history and the course of civilization. These teachings have become even more relevant in the present times," he added.President Kovind went on to say in the statement, "May Lord Buddha's message infuse our thoughts, words and deeds and guide us towards greater compassion, love and fraternity."Buddha Purnima, which falls on May 18 this year, marks Gautama Buddha's birthday. On this day, devotees of Buddha visit temples to listen to monks give talks and recite ancient verses. Many devotees also wear white robes and only eat ...
Karnataka: Cong leader Reshma Padekanura found dead
Congress leader Reshma Padekanura was found dead near Kolhar of Vijayapura earlier today, police said.The deceased's body was found in Krishna River near Kolhar.Prima facie evidence shows that she was killed on Thursday and her body was thrown into the river, police said.A case has been registered in Kolhar Police Station and further investigation is underway.Before joining Congress, Padekanura served as the Janta Dal (secular) district president of women's wing for over a decade. In 2013, she had contested and lost elections from Devarahipparagi assembly constituency on a JD(S) ticket.On being denied a JD (S) ticket in the last assembly polls in the state, Reshma quit the party and joined Congress.
Vatican priest cleared of trying to kiss nun
A Vatican court has cleared a senior priest accused of making advances towards a German nun during confession, the Holy See said on Friday. The five-member Supreme Court said in a statement that after careful examination the "serious" allegation could not be proved "with the required moral certitude". Austrian Father Hermann Geissler proclaimed his innocence but resigned in January as one of three top officials at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which ensures Roman Catholic moral doctrine. A Canonical disciplinary procedure in 2014 let Geissler off with a warning after former German nun Doris Wagner accused him of inappropriate behaviour during confession. "He kept me for hours, kneeling before him, he told me that he loved me and that he knew that I loved him and that even if we couldn't marry, there were other ways," Wagner said. "He tried to take me in his arms and kiss me. I panicked and ran," Wagner said in testimony she put on social media. Wagner also accused ...
There was no term called 'Hindu' before Mughals: Kamal
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Friday said it was ignorance that made Mughals give the name 'Hindu' to the nation.
UAE to release 572 Pakistani prisoners during Ramazan
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will release 572 Pakistani prisoners languishing in its jails under an amnesty during the ongoing holy month of Ramazan, according to a media report. Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal said on Thursday that the UAE government will release the prisoners under an amnesty announced by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Subsequent to the order of the president of the UAE to pardon 3005 prisoners, serving sentences in different jails of the UAE under various categories, the government of the UAE has decided to release 572 Pakistani prisoners, he was quoted as saying by the Geo TV. He said that the Pakistani mission is in touch with local authorities to expedite their release and deportation to Pakistan. "Our mission is extending all necessary assistance, including the issuance of outpasses/passports and air tickets, where required, he said. Currently, around 2,409 Pakistani nationals are in eight UAE jails, facing ...
Hindu" not native description,but only foreign coinage:Haasan
Facing severe backlash over his recent Hindu extremist remarks, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan Friday claimed that the very term 'Hindu' was not a native description, but only a foreign coinage. Neither the Alwars nor the Nayanmars, the famed Vaishnavite and Shaivite saints, had made any note on 'Hindu,' he said in a statement uploaded on Twitter. The citizens were identified only as 'Indians' and confining it to religion was "erroneous," he said. "There has been no mention of 'Hindu' by the 12 Alwars or Nayanmars. We were christened Hindu by Mughals or those (foreign) rulers who predated them," he said. The British, who ruled the nation, "endorsed" that coinage, he said. "While we have so many of our own identities, it is ignorant to have something given to us by non-native as name and faith," he added. While the identity "Indian is recent," it was "eternal", the MNM chief said. "It is erroneus, in terms of commerce, politics and spirituality, for us to ..
Not correct to link terror with religion: Navjot Kaur Sidhu
Disapproving the 'first Hindu terrorist' remark made by Kamal Haasan on Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse, Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu on Friday said that it was not correct to link terror with religion.She said that everyone should shun this apprehension that a terror group is linked to a particular religion."The whole world believes that main terror groups are linked to religion. This is not right. It is not correct to link religion with terror because both are completely different," Sidhu told ANI.Haasan, the chief of Tamil Nadu-based Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party, had courted controversy recently by referring to Godse as the "first Hindu terrorist in independent India.""I am not saying this because many Muslims are here. I am saying this in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue. The first terrorist in independent India is a Hindu. His name is Nathuram Godse," Haasan had said while campaigning in Tamil Nadu's Aravakurichi assembly constituency on May 12.Haasan's comment ..
Pope accepts resignation of Brazilian bishop: Vatican
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Brazilian bishop Vilson Dias de Oliveira, the Vatican said Friday in a statement. The bishop is under investigation for alleged extortion of priests in his diocese, and the covering-up of sexual abuse cases, according to Brazilian media reports. Dias de Oliveira allegedly protected a priest accused of clerical abuse. The bishop confessed to police in April that he had swiped USD 4,000 (3,580 euros) from parish funds for personal use, telling them he did so because he was having financial difficulties, the reports said. The Vatican always announces when Francis has accepted the resignation of a bishop, but never explains why. The Catholic Church has been rocked by a global clerical paedophilia scandal, with victims coming forward in countries ranging from Australia to Chile, Germany and the US. Francis passed a landmark new measure this month to oblige those who know about sex abuse in the Church to report it to their superiors, in a move ...
Muslims in dilemma over choosing between SP-BSP alliance and Congress
Many Muslims in eastern UP may not want to vote for the BJP but they face a dilemma over choosing between the SP-BSP alliance and the Congress. Though some members of the community speak in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the development carried out in Gorakhpur, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's bastion, they harbour a sense of insecurity. Mufti Mohammed Waliullah, who leads prayers at Gorakhpur's biggest mosque, said the Muslims are not "unanimous" over their choice of parties. "Less literate Muslims will vote for the 'mahagathbandhan' (the opposition alliance) and the educated will vote as per their understanding," he said. Waliullah expressed anguish over the BJP questioning the nationalism of Muslims, reminding that the community is indigenous to India. "Only a few Muslim clerics visited India and people who lived in the country adopted Islam. India is our country," he said. Muslims account for about 10 per cent of population in Gorakhpur, which will go to the polls on .
South Korean megachurch leader's rape term extended
A Seoul appeals court on Friday extended the jail term imposed on a South Korea cult leader for raping female followers, sentencing him to 16 years behind bars. Pastor Lee Jaerock was convicted last year of raping eight women more than 40 times. The 75-year-old denied the charges and appealed, claiming the victims were all highly educated individuals and it was therefore "impossible for anyone to sexually assault them". The Seoul High Court upheld his original conviction and added a ninth victim who came forward after his first trial, extending his sentence by a year. "Lee habitually raped young female followers by exploiting their faith and obedience, as a powerful religious figure," judge Seong Ji-yong said. Lee set up the Manmin Central Church in Guro, once a poor area of Seoul, with just 12 followers in 1982. As of last year it had grown to 130,000 members, with a spotlight-filled auditorium, sprawling headquarters, and a website replete with claims of miracle cures. Religious ...
Sikh man gives discounts to Muslims to promote peace in Pak
A Sikh trader in a tribal district of northwest Pakistan is giving discounts to Muslim worshippers in the holy month of Ramzan as a special gesture to promote peace and brotherhood in the restive region. Naranj Singh opened a shop in tehsil Jamrud of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where essential items are sold at prices less than the rates fixed by the government's Price Control Committee. The edible items are sold at prices less than Rs 10 to Rs 30 as that of the original rates. Singh said he considered it "an act of charity" and is performing the special gesture to promote peace and amity among Muslims and the minority Sikh community. Most of the Sikhs residing in Peshawar are those whose families previously resided in different parts of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) but shifted to Peshawar and started a business. Renowned Sikh religious leader and rights activist Charnjit Singh was gunned down in Scheme Chowk area in the outskirts of the city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in May
Muslim leaders call for united Sri Lankan identity
Sri Lankan Muslim leaders have called for one united identity of the island nation while expressing solidarity with the victims of the April 21 Easter Sunday terror attacks and those affected by the recent spate of violence.
