Firing by government forces kills 1 anti-India protester in Kashmir

Police firing kills 1 protester in Indian Kashmir

SRINAGAR, India – Government forces fired at hundreds of anti-India protesters for defying a curfew in the Indian portion of Kashmir on Friday, killing a teenage student and injuring at least six others, police said.
The violence was the latest in two-month stretch of civil unrest that has left … Read : Firing by government forces kills 1 anti-India protester in Kashmir.

Malaysian state led by Muslim party introduces gold, silver coins as Islamic currency

Malaysian state introduces Islamic currency

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – A Malaysian state is allowing people to use gold and silver coins at stores and restaurants to revive a practice from early Islamic societies, an official said Friday.
The gold dinar and silver dirham coins provide an alternative to Malaysia’s currency, the ringgit, in northeastern Kelantan state, which … Original source on Gaea Times at : Malaysian state led by Muslim party introduces gold, silver coins as Islamic currency.

Christian bishop asks Hezbollah not to air Jesus film

BEIRUT – A Lebanese Christian Maronite bishop called late Thursday on Hezbollah television to stop airing a Ramadan series called Al Maseeh, Arabic for Jesus.

Bishop Bashara al-Raai asked al-Manar television to stop airing the Iranian series because it conflicts with teachings of the Bible that are recognised by all Christians around the world.
Al-Raai called …. Source article  : Christian bishop asks Hezbollah not to air Jesus film.

Summary Box: Atheist sues over state grant given to towering southern Ill. cross landmark

Summary Box: Atheist sues Ill. cross for grant

THE ISSUE: Chicago-area atheist Rob Sherman is suing administrators of southern Illinois’ towering Bald Knob Cross of Peace over a $20,000 state grant the caretakers received to help pay for the site’s ongoing restoration.
THE COMPLAINT: Sherman says the grant “blatantly” violates the U.S. Constitution’s establishment clause used to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Atheist sues for return of $20,000 state grant given to towering southern Ill. landmark cross

Atheist sues for grant refund from landmark cross

ST. LOUIS – An atheist is suing to force the administrators of a towering cross in southern Illinois to return a $20,000 state grant toward its restoration, saying Thursday it was “blatantly unconstitutional” to spend taxpayer money on a Christian symbol.
Caretakers of the 11-story Bald Knob Cross of [..] Read the original article: here.

Nigeria ruling party leader supports Christian president, despite rule calling for Muslim

Nigeria: Ruling party leader supports president

ABUJA, Nigeria – The leader of Nigeria’s ruling party said Thursday that he believed the West African nation’s president should be allowed to run in next year’s election, despite a power-sharing agreement that calls for a candidate from the Muslim north.
People’s Democratic Party chairman Okwesilieze Nwodo’s endorsement of southern Christian … Read more >>.

State poll panel criticises Kerala government

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – State Election Commissioner P. Kamalkutty Thursday criticised the Kerala government for not heeding his repeated requests for the smooth conduct of local bodies polls.

In his address at an all-party meeting, Kamalkutty said that the delay in holding the polls was not caused due to any action of his but because of the re-organisation …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Cairo mosques begin calling to prayer with a single voice

Cairo mosques begin unified call to prayer

CAIRO – Is it even remotely feasible to get Cairo’s 4,000 mosques to all sing the same tune?
That’s just what Egypt’s government is aiming to do, beginning an ambitious project Thursday to unify the timing and sound of the Islamic call to prayer across the sprawling city of 18 … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Cairo mosques begin calling to prayer with a single voice.

Moroccan protesters block goods from entering Spanish enclave of Melilla

Moroccan protesters block Spanish enclave border

MADRID – Demonstrators in Morocco slapped a commercial blockade on a Spanish enclave Thursday, allowing in only some trucks in a dispute over alleged police violence and racism against Moroccans entering the city.
The protest came a day after the kings of the two traditional allies spoke by telephone to try …. Original article  : Moroccan protesters block goods from entering Spanish enclave of Melilla.

Education, jobs main planks of minorities scheme

NEW DELHI – Enhancing opportunities for education and equitable share in economic activities would be the focus of the prime minister’s new 15-point programme for minorities, parliament was told Thursday.

In a written reply to Ratna De (Trinamool Congress) and others in the Lok Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said employment through credit schemes and … Read : Education, jobs main planks of minorities scheme.

Russia dismisses US court ruling to hand over Hasidic Jewish library to NY group

Russia refuses to turn over Jewish library to US

MOSCOW – Russia has rejected a U.S. court ruling to turn over a Jewish library to a Hasidic group in New York.
A U.S. judge last week ruled against the Russian government for its refusal to return thousands of manuscripts that once belonged to a Chabad-Lubavitch rabbi. The …. Source article  : Russia dismisses US court ruling to hand over Hasidic Jewish library to NY group.

UAE aims to build bridges with books on Islam

Dubai, Aug 12 (IANS/WAM) Multilingual publications about Islam will be distributed to build a bridge between local people and Muslims from other countries settled in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) will distribute 20,000 packets containing booklets and CDs to public and private organisations in Dubai and an …. Read the original article  : here.

UAE embassy in France gives free iftar meals

Paris, Aug 12 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) embassy in Paris will distribute free iftar meals to the public during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

The project, implemented in coordination with mosques and Islamic associations in France, will benefit several families, an official statement said.
–IANS/WAM
… Read this article on Gaea Times at : UAE embassy in France gives free iftar meals.

Top Islamic insitution condemns Florida church’s plans to burn Qurans

Top Islamic institution slams Quran-burning plan

CAIRO – The world’s pre-eminent Sunni Muslim institution of learning has condemned a Florida church’s plans to host a Quran-burning ceremony on Sept. 11.
In a statement carried by local media on Thursday, Al-Azhar’s Supreme Council in Egypt accused the church of “stirring up hate and discrimination” and called on other … Read more : Top Islamic insitution condemns Florida church’s plans to burn Qurans.