Page 2 - Religion Belief

Where ignorance is bliss, 'Tis folly to be wise?

It is time to ask why public figures and institutions are promoting unscientific beliefs at citizens' expense

Lebanese town bans Muslims from buying, renting property

Mohammed Awwad and his fiancee, both Muslims, recently found an affordable apartment for rent online in a town in Lebanon, southeast of Beirut. The 27-year-old journalist called the number and asked the owner when they could drop by to take a look. He was stunned by her response: Muslims are not allowed to settle in the town, she said. The apartment owner apologized to Awwad, saying she wouldn't mind renting to people of any sect but officials in the town of Hadat issued orders years ago that only Christians be allowed to buy and rent property. The young Shiite Muslim man could not believe what he heard and asked his fiancee, Sarah Raad, to call the municipality and she, too, was told that the ban had been in place for years. Hadat is a small example of Lebanon's deeply rooted sectarian divisions that once led to a 15-year civil war that left more than 100,000 people dead. Christian communities feel under siege as Muslims, who tend to have higher birth rates, leave overcrowded areas ..

Fail to understand why sanitary workers jobs are allocated solely for Christians: Pak activist

Human rights activist Kapil Dev on Tuesday questioned why in Pakistan, sanitary workers jobs were allocated solely to Christians."I fail to understand as to why sanitary workers jobs are allocated for #Christians only? Why not for all? What if such jobs are for only Muslims in UK, USA or elsewhere in the West? You shit, and we clean. This should stop now. #EqualityForAll," Kapil Dev tweeted along with a picture of a recent advertisement by the Pakistan Army.The Pakistan Army advertisement offering sanitation jobs for Christians recently drew criticism over social media for being discriminatory towards the community, reported Union of Catholic Asian News.Run by several newspapers in Pakistan, the advertisement announced vacancies for the posts of drivers, sepoys, tradesmen and sanitation workers in the Army's Mujhahid Force. However, the sanitation jobs were specified for Christians only.This triggered several minority rights activists, who later urged Pakistan Army to discard its ...

2014 Burdwan blast case: Wanted JMB operative arrested from Bengaluru

A Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operative, wanted in the 2014 Burdwan blast case, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency from Bengaluru on Tuesday, officials said. Habibur Rehman Sheikh (28) alias Habibur or Sheikh was apprehended by the central agency from the Dodabalpur area of the city, they said. Sheikh was named in the chargesheet filed by the NIA in this case in March, 2015 "for his direct involvement in the conspiracy of JMB to wage war against governments of India and Bangladesh", an NIA official said. He was a close associate of senior JMB leader Jahidul Islam alias Kausar and was associated with other JMB leaders like Rahamatullah Sheikh and Moulana Yusuf, the official said. Sheikh was an active member of JMB's Bolpur module in West Bengal and had attended a number of training camps conducted by the terror group, the official alleged. He was produced on Tuesday before a special NIA court in Bengaluru which granted the agency five-day transit remand for ...

PM Modi pays tribute to Late Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief on the demise of Swami Satyamitranad, Padma Bhushan recipient and a spiritual guru who passed away this morning on Tuesday.PM Modi tweeted "Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji epitomised spirituality and wisdom. He devoted his life towards empowering the poor, marginalised and downtrodden. He was extremely proud of India's rich history and culture. My tributes to this divine soul."President Ram Nath Kovind also tweeted, "Sad to hear of the demise of Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji Maharaj. A recipient of Padma Bhushan, he contributed immensely to our society and dedicated his entire life for the welfare of underprivileged people. My condolences are with his countless followers."Union Home Minister, Amit Shah tweeted "Swami Satyamitranad Giri Ji was a true worshiper of Mother Bharati, whose identity is the Bharat Mata Temple of Haridwar. Their thoughts, knowledge and philosophy will continue to inspire the generations to come for religion and ...

Swami Satyamitranand Giri passes away; VP Naidu, PM Modi condole his death

Swami Satyamitranand Giri Maharaj, a renowned seer, passed away here on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. The 87-year-old head of Bharat Mata Janhit Trust was undergoing treatment for some time at a hospital here, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avadeshanand Giri Maharaj said. "The 'samadhi' will be at Haridwar-based Raghav Kutir on Wednesday," he said. Condolences poured in from a number of political and religious leaders who described his death as a big loss to the spiritual world. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of the spiritual leader, recalling his contribution in serving the tribals and the poor. "Deeply saddened to know about the demise of Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji Maharaj who founded Bharat Mata temple in Haridwar," Naidu tweeted. He said the spiritual leader "rendered invaluable services and established Samanvaya Seva Foundation to serve poor people from tribal and hilly areas by providing free education and medical ...

VP Venkaiah Naidu, PM Modi condole death of spiritual leader Swami Satyamitranand

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday condoled the demise of spiritual leader Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji Maharaj, recalling his contribution in serving the tribals and the poor. The founder of the Bharat Mata temple in Haridwar, Swami Satyamitranand died this morning after a prolonged illness in Haridwar. "Deeply saddened to know about the demise of Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji Maharaj who founded Bharat Mata temple in Haridwar," Naidu tweeted. He said the spiritual leader "rendered invaluable services and established Samanvaya Seva Foundation to serve poor people from tribal and hilly areas by providing free education and medical facilities". "He established many learning centres & travelled across the globe to spread the message of Sanatana Dharma," the vice president said. Modi said Swami Satyamitranand epitomised spirituality and wisdom. "He devoted his life towards empowering the poor, marginalised and downtrodden. He was extremely proud ..

Sindhu Darshan Festival's 23rd edition underway in Leh

The 23rd edition of the Sindhu Darshan Festival kicked off at Sindhu Ghat Shey in Leh on Monday.Skyabje Choskyong Palga Rinpoche inaugurated the 4-day event organised by Sindhu Darshan Yatra Samiti (SDYS) in collaboration with Ladakh Phanday Tsogspa.Indresh Kumar, SDYS patron, was accompanied by Hill Council deputy chairman Gyal P.Wangyal, NDMC Mayor Avtar Singh and Anjuman Moin-Ul-Islam's president Dr Abdul Qayoom."The festival connects people from different faiths on one common platform to share love, compassion and respect for each other which is the essence of every religion," Choskyong Skyabje Palga Rinpoche said in his speech.Hill Council deputy chairman Gyal Wangyal stated, "Sindhu Darshan festival not only brings different people on one common platform but is also a great boost to Ladakh's tourism industry."Speaking on the occasion, patron Indresh Kumar said, "This festival conveys a strong message of uniting different religions and faiths. To spread awareness about taking ...

Pakistan issues visas to 463 Indians for Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death anniversary

Pakistan Monday issued visas to463 Indian Sikh pilgrims who are going to that country to observe the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Pakistan High Commission here has also accommodated Sikh 'Yatrees' who were granted visas for observing the Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjun Dev Ji from June 14-23, but could not go to Pakistan, the country's mission here said. The visas issued by the High Commission in New Delhi are in addition to the ones given to Sikh pilgrims participating in the event from different parts of the world, it said. The 463 Indian Sikh pilgrims will visit Pakistan to observe Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death anniversary from June 27-July 6. Within the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, thousands of pilgrims from India visit Pakistan every year to observe various religious festivals and occasions.

Triple Talaq personal issue, nothing acceptable except that in Quran: Azam Khan

Samajwadi Party MP Mohammad Azam Khan said in the Lok Sabha that the issue of triple Talaq was a personal matter of Muslims and nothing else will be acceptable except that mentioned in the Holy Quran.Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, Khan also objected to remarks of BJP leader and union minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi where he had asked if those who do not accept Vande Mataram have a right to live in the country."The constitution is a temple. You cannot force anything. The country should run by the constitution, that is what we want. If that is not done it will be not good for the country," he said.Targeting the BJP-led government which has brought a Bill on triple Talaq to replace an ordinance, he said those who portray to be sympathisers of women should also speak about their troubles."There was reference to triple talaq. One who accepts single Talaq, let it be, one who accepts two, let it be, one who accepts three, let it be, one who ...

Pakistan issues visas to 463 Indian Sikh Pilgrims to observe death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh

Pakistan on Monday issued visas to 463 Indian Sikh Pilgrims, who will travel to the country to observe the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh from June 27 to July 6.Within the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, thousands of pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals and occasions every year.This time, the High Commission also accommodated those Sikh Yatrees who were granted Pakistani visas for observing Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjun Dev from June 14 to June 23, but could not go to Pakistan. The visas issued by the High Commission in New Delhi are in addition to the travel permission given to Sikh pilgrims participating in the event from different parts of the world."Issuance of a maximum number of pilgrimage visas is in line with the Government of Pakistan's policy of promoting visits to religious shrines and people-to-people contacts. It also reflects the commitment of the Government of Pakistan to ...

Azam Khan hits out at attack on minorities, Owaisi criticises

Samajwadi Party leadert Mohd Azam Khan Monday hit out at the government in Lok Sabha on the issue of attacks on members of the minority community over recital of Vande Matram even as AIMIM's Assaduddin Owaisi warned that alleged lynchings would prevent India from becoming a USD 5 trillion economy. Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, Khan said Muslims had a choice to go to Pakistan during Partition. "Our forefathers decided to stay here. They said this is our country. Graves of our forefathers are here ... You (BJP) never had this choice (of going to Pakistan)," he said. He said it hurts when Muslims are forced to recite 'vande matram'. "If the Constitution says one has to recite from a religious book, I will be the first one to do so," he said. Owaisi said if Muslims are lynched in the name of cow slaughter and wearing skull cap every month, then India would not be able to become USD 5 trillion economy as planned by Prime ...

British Dy High Commissioner Ayre calls on Amarinder

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Monday assured British Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Ayre of full logistic support to the people of Indian origin settled in the UK for visiting Punjab to pay obeisance at Sultanpur Lodhi during the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev. The chief minister promised Ayre, who called on Singh here, that he would personally urge the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to direct the Indian high commissioner in the UK to be liberal in the grant of visa to Indian-origin people, particularly the Punjabi diaspora, for the mega event. "The state government has already initiated preparations on a mass scale, especially in the holy city of Sultanpur Lodhi, where the first Sikh Guru had attained enlightenment and had spent almost 17 years of his life," the chief minister said in an official statement here. Amarinder said other places associated with Guru Nanak Dev, such as Batala and Dera Baba Nanak, were also being spruced up for the ..

Give us our 'Old India' back, says Azad in RS

In a veiled dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Gulab Nabi Azad on Monday mocked his idea of "New India" saying "old India" had no hatred, anger and lynchings.He urged him to return to "Old India" where people of all religions live in peace."I request you to keep New India to yourself and give us our Old India where there was love and culture. Hindus used to feel the pain when Muslims and Dalits used to get hurt. When something used to get into eyes of Hindus, Muslims and Dalits used to shed tears for them," he said opening the discussion on the President's address from the Opposition side.Elaborating on the difference between two ideas, he said, "In Old India, there was no hatred, anger or lynching. New India is one where humans are enemies of each other."Azad's remarks come against the backdrop of the lynching of 22-year-old Tabrez in Jharkhand after he was allegedly forced to recite "Jai Shri Ram" and "Jai Hanuman"."You won't be scared of .

Special prayers held in Hyderabad temple to check crimes

Voicing concern over increasing number of child rape cases across the country, priests at a famous temple here performed prayers to prevent such crimes. Amid chanting of vedic hymns, the priests of Chilkur Balaji temple took three cows around the sanctum sanctorum thrice and over 1,500 devotees witnessed the 'pradakshinams' (circumbulation) on Saturday afternoon, the head priest, C S Rangaraja told PTI. The objective is to put an end to all such crimes against children, he said adding "We prayed for divine protection for children." Stressing the need to be vigilant, the head priest said those who exploit children roam around the world like predators, looking to prey upon the vulnerable. Poularly known as 'Visa Balaji Temple', it is situated on the banks of Osman Sagar lake near here and is one of the oldest temples.

Special prayers organised for rains in Mumbai

In an attempt to appease the rain god, special prayers were organised at Sri Sankara Mattham temple in Matunga here on Sunday.Shiva Subramanian, Secretary, Sankara Mattham, said: "We believe this puja will appease the rain god and get rains."This is not for the first time that such puja has been organised to appease the rain god. Such religious functions have been organised in different parts of the country.Earlier, Udupi Nagarika Vedike (Udupi Citizen Forum) in Karnataka had arranged the marriage of two frogs to appease the rain god.

Israeli city cuts Jesus link from name to avoid confusion

An Israeli city often confused with its famous neighbour Nazareth, where Christians believe Jesus was raised, has changed its name in the hope of consolidating its separate identity. A poll of over ten thousand residents of Nazareth Illit (Upper Nazareth) overwhelmingly approved the proposal to rename the city Nof Hagalil (View of the Galilee), with Mayor Ronen Plot finalising the move in a festive Friday meeting. The city had received governmental approval six months ago to go ahead with the change, with a committee selecting the name that won residents' approval, a municipal spokeswoman told AFP on Sunday. Nazareth Illit was established in the late 1950s, just three kilometres (about two miles) and a 10-minute drive from Nazareth, with its name meant to be a temporary fix. "The temporary name became permanent and caused total confusion," spokeswoman Orna Buhbut said, noting that every single mayor in the city's 62 years had attempted -- and failed -- to change it. Nazareth is the ...

Rare artworks on display at 'International Quran Exhibition'

More than 100 rare artworks and a 1,400 year-old-rare manuscript handwritten by Hazrath Ali and the grandson of Prophet Muhammed, Hazrath Imam Hassan, were put on display Saturday at an International Quran Exhibition organized by the Consulate of Iran at Salar Jung Museum here. "A variety of artworks are on display at the exhibition, which also features more than 100 rare artworks showcasing Islamic calligraphy, verses of the Quran presented in beautiful works of art by renowned Irani calligraphers and rare manuscripts," a release said. Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Aliinaugurated the international seminar on Quran and International Quran Exhibition. A 1,400-year-old rare manuscript handwritten by Hazrath Ali and the grandson of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) Hazrath Imam Hassan were also on display. These art works are regularly exhibited in Iran and in different countries. However, this is the first time the exhibition is being held in Hyderabad," the release ...

Ambulances donated to Muzaffarpur hospital, Kanhaiya Kumar not

A former IPS officer on Saturday donated two ambulances, a hearse and other materials to the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital here, where 127 children have died due to suspected case of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). Acharya Kishore Kunal, also ex-chairman of the Bihar State Board of Religious Trusts, donated 40,000 packets of ORS, biscuits and glucose each to the hospital. Accompanied by Baba Garibnath temple's chief priest Vinay Pathak, Kunal handed over the materials and vans to the district administration to help the children suffering from suspected AES in the SKMCH and their families. Meanwhile, JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar came to Muzaffarpur to visit the SKMCH but he was not allowed to enter its paediatric ICU and general ward following an order of the hospital authorities. The SKMCH superintendent had issued an order on Thursday that no outsider including mediapersons is allowed to enter the hospital's paediatric unit. Kumar, who ...

TN: State government conducts 'Yajna' for rains

Resorting to prayers in the face of acute water scarcity, Tamil Nadu government on Saturday conducted special 'Yajna' at Patteeswarar temple in Perur.State water supply minister S P Velumani was also present during the special prayers.A holy fire was lit up surrounding which priests conducted the 'Yajna'. Prayers in the form of 'mantras' were chanted throughout.A similar event was reported from Madurai earlier in June, where unique prayers were offered to rain gods in the form of processions.This comes after scorching heat wave gripping a large part of the country and sections of Tamil Nadu being severely hit by drought.