Religion News – Newsletter for February 15, 2010

Monday, February 15, 2010

Hard-line to harder-line? Hamas faces a challenge from al-Qaida-inspired militants

Muslim firebrands challenge Hamas rule in Gaza

RAFAH, Gaza Strip – They preach global jihad, or holy war, adhere to an ultraconservative form of Islam and are becoming a headache even for Hamas, the Islamic militant group that rules Gaza.
Jihadi Salafis, as they are known, have organized into small, shadowy armed groups that have clashed with …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Behind Clinton and Biden, US seeks to shore up diplomatic push against Iran’s nuclear program

US seeks to shore up support for tough Iran stance
DOHA, Qatar – U.S. officials sought to shore up support Sunday for a tougher stand against Iran’s nuclear program by saying Tehran had left the world little choice and expressing renewed confidence that holdout China would come around to harsher U.N. penalties.
Even … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Behind Clinton and Biden, US seeks to shore up diplomatic push against Iran’s nuclear program.

Obama picks Indian American as special envoy to world Muslim group
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama has appointed Rashad Hussein, an Indian-American Muslim as a special envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the 57-nation organization that calls itself the “collective voice of the Muslim world.”

Announcing the new envoy, Obama described Hussein, who has been a deputy associate White House counsel, as “an accomplished …. Source  : Obama picks Indian American as special envoy to world Muslim group.

Indonesia’s devoutly Muslim province of Aceh holds first transvestite contest

Indonesia’s Aceh holds first transvestite contest

JAKARTA, Indonesia – The first beauty pageant for transvestites has drawn dozens of contestants in Aceh, a semiautonomous Indonesian province that follows strict Islamic law.
The Antara news agency reported Sunday that 19-year-old Zifana Lestisia from the northern district of Lhokseumawe was chosen the region’s Social and Culture Envoy 2010. He … Read more »».

Letter to Iran’s leader: son of opposition figure harshly beaten inside mosque

Letter: Iran opposition figure’s son beaten

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The wife of one of Iran’s opposition leaders accused the nation’s supreme leader Sunday of allowing violence and abuses to crush opposition supporters, including the alleged beating of her son during last week’s protests.
Fatameh Karroubi claimed her son Ali was savagely attacked inside a mosque … Original article on : Letter to Iran’s leader: son of opposition figure harshly beaten inside mosque.

Hindu, Muslims to celebrate Prophet’s birth anniversary
MUMBAI – People from all communities gathered here Sunday afternoon to resolve to jointly celebrate Prophet Mohammed’s birth anniversary and pray for the victims of Saturday night’s Pune terror attack.

After mourning for the Pune victims, a unique campaign was announced to bring together Muslims and Hindus to jointly celebrate the birth anniversary of the Prophet, …. Source  : Hindu, Muslims to celebrate Prophet’s birth anniversary.

Dalai Lama expresses concern over plight of Tibet’s people
DHARAMSALA – The spiritual head of the Tibetan community, the Dalai Lama, Sunday once again expressed concern over the plight of people living in Tibet and asked them to put in more efforts in studying Buddhism.

Presiding over the special prayer sessions at the hilltop Tsuglagkhang temple at McLeodganj near here to mark Losar (Tibetan New … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Dalai Lama expresses concern over plight of Tibet’s people.

Report: Iran detains 5 more members of Baha’i minority

Iran detains 5 more Baha’i
TEHRAN, Iran – Iranian authorities detained five more members of the Baha’i minority, a hardline newspaper reported on Sunday.

The daily Javan newspaper, which has ties to the elite Revolutionary Guards, reported that the five included Niki Khanjani, who is the daughter of Jamaloddin Khanjani, one of seven Baha’i leaders jailed since …. Read the original article  : here.

Obama-Dalai meet advocates Tibetans’ cause: Rights group
DHARAMSALA – The scheduled meeting between Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and US President Barack Obama advocates the cause of Tibetans, says a US-based rights group that hopes the two have “constructive talks”.

“The meeting is an opportunity both to deepen their relationship and discuss forward steps in US support for the Dalai Lama’s leadership, …. Source article  : Obama-Dalai meet advocates Tibetans’ cause: Rights group.

SGPC not averse to printing Guru Granth Sahib abroad
AMRITSAR – In what could come as a major relief for Sikhs across the world, especially non-resident Indians (NRIs), the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has said it is not averse to printing of the Sikh holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib in other countries provided certain conditions were fulfilled.

The SGPC, the mini-parliament of Sikh … Original source on Gaea Times at : SGPC not averse to printing Guru Granth Sahib abroad.

Washington scores 34 points in Middle Tennessee’s 109-79 win over houston Baptist

Middle Tennessee routs Houston Baptist 109-79

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – James Washington scored 34 points and made 10 3-pointers, and Middle Tennessee routed Houston Baptist 109-79 on Saturday night.
Washington was 10-for-17 from the field — all 3-pointers — and was 4-for-4 from the foul line.
It was the most points scored by the Blue Raiders since they beat … Read : Washington scores 34 points in Middle Tennessee’s 109-79 win over houston Baptist.

Obama names White House lawyer Rashad Hussain as envoy to group representing Islamic nations

Obama names special envoy to global Islamic group
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Saturday named a White House lawyer as his special envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, part of his continuing effort to repair strained U.S. relations with the world’s Muslims.
Obama announced Rashad Hussain’s appointment during a video address … Read more : Obama names White House lawyer Rashad Hussain as envoy to group representing Islamic nations.

Vatican’s Top 10 promises no stairway to heaven, just a path to pop-rock paradise on Earth

Vatican’s Top 10: Jacko to Beatles
VATICAN CITY – Call it the Vatican’s 10 commandments for good listening.

The Holy See’s newspaper Saturday published its picks for pop rock paradise, ranging from Michael Jackson’s album “Thriller” to Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” and the Beatles’ “Revolver.”
What L’Osservatore Romano calls a semiserious guide on the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Vatican’s Top 10 promises no stairway to heaven, just a path to pop-rock paradise on Earth.

Pope picks Czech bishop who was jailed, did factory job under communists, for Prague post

Pope picks once-jailed cleric for Prague post

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI has picked a Czech bishop once jailed and forced into factory work under Communism to lead the Prague archdiocese.
The Vatican said Saturday that Monsignor Dominik Duka will replace retiring Cardinal Miloslav Vlk.
In 1975, Communist rulers of Czechoslovakia revoked Duka’s authorization to serve as … Original article on : Pope picks Czech bishop who was jailed, did factory job under communists, for Prague post.

Anil Ambani, Kokilaben on Sabarimala pilgrimage
PATHANAMTHITTA – Industrialist Anil Ambani and his mother Kokilaben arrived here Saturday evening on a one-day pilgrimage to the Sabarimala temple, police said.

Ambani’s party also includes two relatives and the family doctor. Alighting from the helicopter that flew him here, Ambani got into the driver’s seat of a white Mercedes Benz for the journey to … Read more »»».