Religion News – Newsletter for February 22, 2010

Monday, February 22, 2010

Shias take out mourning procession in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Shia Muslims Monday took out mourning processions here to remember the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Mohammed, and his family members some 1,400 years back in Karbala city of Iraq.

The processions, “Masoom ka tazia”, are taken out nearly two months after Ashura — the 10th day of Muharram, the first …. Source  : Shias take out mourning procession in Delhi.

Buddhist monks to protest over control of Bodh Gaya temple

PATNA – More than 2,000 Buddhist monks from across the country will participate in a march in the Bihar capital to demand Buddhist control over Bodh Gaya’s 1,500-year-old Mahabodhi temple, the religion’s holiest shrine.

Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan said that more than 2,000 Buddhist monks will take part in a march Feb …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Buddhist monks to protest over control of Bodh Gaya temple.

Deposed king’s supporters shut down Nepal capital

KATHMANDU – More than a hundred protesters, including a former minister, were arrested as supporters of Nepal’s deposed king went on the warpath in the capital Monday, enforcing a crippling general strike to back their demand for the restoration of the crown and Hinduism as the state religion.

Royalist politician Tanka Dhakal, who was information and … Read more »»».

Army chaplain smokes, swears and prays with Catholic soldiers in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, Sunday Mass on a makeshift altar

BADULA QULP, Afghanistan – The U.S. Army brigade’s Catholic priest spits, smokes, cracks jokes and has come under fire like so many other American soldiers. He keeps altar bread in an empty grenade canister. On Sunday, he donned purple and white vestments over his uniform and celebrated Mass … Read more >>>.

Plan for mosque near Britain’s military academy opposed

LONDON – A plan to build a huge mosque overlooking Sandhurst Royal Military Academy, where Prince William and Harry were both trained, was being opposed, a media report said Monday.

Daily Express reported that defence chiefs were resisting plans to build the mosque overlooking the academy as they felt the large dome and two 100-feet … Read more : Plan for mosque near Britain’s military academy opposed.

Don’t wear burqa, says British leader

LONDON – A British leader said he would prefer if Muslim women “didn’t wear a burqa” in the country, but added “you can’t ban it”.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw said he wished Muslim women would not wear burqa in Britain, Daily Express reported Monday.
I would prefer if people didnt wear a burkha but you cant …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Don’t wear burqa, says British leader.

Alaska village among Native communities reclaiming ancient traditions banned by missionaries

Native dancing ban lifted in Alaska village

NOORVIK, Alaska – Bobby Wells has lived all his life in this remote Alaska village, where the Eskimo dancing of his ancestors was banned by Quaker missionaries a century ago as primitive idolatry.
Now Wells, 53, and other residents of Noorvik have wholeheartedly embraced the ancient practice outlawed in the … Read more >>.

Indonesian Muslim clerics consider fatwa against riding a motorbike without a helmet

Indonesian clerics mull motorcycle helmet fatwa

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Indonesia’s leading clerics are considering a religious edict against riding a motorbike without a crash helmet to promote safety on the chaotic and deadly roads of the world’s most populous Muslim country.
Such a fatwa would not carry a penalty for those who ignore it, but advocates said …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Indonesian Muslim clerics consider fatwa against riding a motorbike without a helmet.

Curfew for second day in Punjab town

BATALA – An indefinite curfew continued in this Punjab town for the second day, following incidents of violence after the publication of a poster depicting Jesus Christ in an objectionable manner, police said Sunday.

However, senior police officials said the situation was under control.
“We have not lifted the curfew so far because we do not … Original source on Gaea Times at : Curfew for second day in Punjab town.