Pakistani minority sect demands protection after suicide attacks killed 93 members

Pakistan sect demands protection after attacks

LAHORE, Pakistan – Leaders of Pakistan’s minority Ahmadi sect demanded better government protection Saturday as they buried many of the 93 sect members killed by Islamist militants at two of the group’s mosques.
The request could test the government’s willingness to take on hard-line Islamists whose influence is behind decades of …. Original source  : Pakistani minority sect demands protection after suicide attacks killed 93 members.

President Patil dedicates Indian-style Buddhist temple to China

LUOYANG – Visiting Indian President Pratibha Patil Saturday dedicated a Buddhist temple, built with Indian assistance, to the Chinese people.

The structure is adjacent to the White Horse Temple (Baima Si) built in the first century A.D. in honour of two Indian monks who travelled on horseback, carrying with them religious texts and an image of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : President Patil dedicates Indian-style Buddhist temple to China.

After Dalai Lama, Aga Khan gets Canadian honour

TORONTO – Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper Friday bestowed honorary citizenship on the Aga Khan and laid the foundation stone of what would be one of the largest Muslim art and culture centres in North America.

The Aga Khan is the Imam of over 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims spread around the world.
“Conferring honorary … Original source on Gaea Times at : After Dalai Lama, Aga Khan gets Canadian honour.

Canada bestows honorary Canadian citizenship on the Aga Khan

Canada grants honorary citizenship to the Aga Khan

TORONTO – Canada has granted honorary Canadian citizenship upon the Aga Khan, a billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader of 20 million Muslims worldwide.
The Aga Khan was in Toronto on Friday to launch the development of a $285-million cultural center for Ismaili Muslims and the Aga Khan Museum for …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Canada bestows honorary Canadian citizenship on the Aga Khan.

Spanish city bans full veils in public buildings

LERIDA – The Spanish city of Lerida Friday banned women from wearing veils that fully cover the face in its public buildings.

Lerida, which has 135,000 inhabitants, is the first community in Spain to outlaw the dress worn by conservative Muslims.
The city dropped an original plan to also prohibit women wearing a burqa or niqab [..] Read the original article: here.

Gunmen attack 2 mosques of minority sect during Friday prayers in Pakistan

2 minority sect mosques attacked in Pakistan

LAHORE, Pakistan – Gunmen armed with grenades attacked two mosques of a minority Islamic sect during Friday prayers in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, police said. Casualties were expected.
The attacks were against the Ahmadi group, which radical Sunni groups have targeted in the past, though never on such …. Source  : Gunmen attack 2 mosques of minority sect during Friday prayers in Pakistan.

‘SGPC polls not possible during this year’

CHANDIGARH – The elections to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the mini-parliament of Sikh religion, are not possible this year or even by early 2011, an official Friday said.

Chief Commissioner of Gurdwara elections, Justice (retd.) H.S.Brar said that final preparation and publication of electoral rolls will be completed by November this year and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘SGPC polls not possible during this year’.

Towering cross on mountain in southern Illinois draws thousands of tourists, ire from atheist

Illinois cross draws tourists, ire from atheist

ST. LOUIS – Farmers sold pigs to help raise money to build the towering cross on southern Illinois’ highest point as a year-round testament to faith. The 11-story monument draws thousands of visitors each year, and supporters say it has promoted self-growth and reflection for nearly half a century.
But …. Read the original article  : Towering cross on mountain in southern Illinois draws thousands of tourists, ire from atheist.

Monks upset over Dalai Lama not raising temple issue

PATNA – Buddhist monks in Bihar are disappointed that Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama did not raise the demand for Buddhist control over the management of the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya during his visit here.

“As usual, the Dalai Lama did not raise the core issue of Buddhist control over the management of the …. Source article  : Monks upset over Dalai Lama not raising temple issue.