Muslim or Christian? Religion row dogs Obama

WASHINGTON – A day after controversial evangelical leader Rev. Franklin Graham said Barack Obama was born a Muslim because of his father’s religious beliefs, the White House again asserted that the president is a “committed Christian” and prays daily.

Graham, son of famed presidential religious adviser Billy Graham, told CNN Thursday that while he believes …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Muslim or Christian? Religion row dogs Obama.

Nothing unusual in Dalai Lama’s meeting with PM, says aide

NEW DELHI – The Dalai Lama’s top aide, Tempa Tsering, Saturday said the Tibetan spiritual leader made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last week to thank him for the hospitality shown in the last five decades. He added that there was nothing unusual about the meeting.

“He has been living in India for … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Nothing unusual in Dalai Lama’s meeting with PM, says aide.

Muslim-born Miss USA opposes Ground Zero mosque

WASHINGTON – The reigning Miss USA has come out against the Ground Zero mosque, saying “it shouldn’t be so close” to the site of the Sep 11, 2001 terror attacks in New york.

The 24-year-old Rima Fakih, is the first Muslim winner of the Miss USA contest and is preparing for the Miss Universe Pageant, scheduled …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Muslim-born Miss USA opposes Ground Zero mosque.

APNewsBreak: Army probes claim that soldiers were punished for skipping a Christian concert

Troops: Skipping Christian concert got us punished

RICHMOND, Va. – The Army said Friday it was investigating a claim that dozens of soldiers who refused to attend a Christian band’s concert at a Virginia military base were banished to their barracks and told to clean them up.
Fort Eustis spokesman Rick Haverinen told The Associated Press he … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : APNewsBreak: Army probes claim that soldiers were punished for skipping a Christian concert.

Cuba Church says it was right to broker prisoner release, in answer to dissidents’ complaints

Cuba Church defends brokering prisoner release

HAVANA – Roman Catholic officials said Friday they had a humanitarian obligation to broker a landmark deal in which Cuba promised to free 52 political prisoners – answering island opposition activists who complained of being left out of negotiations.
Cuba’s Catholic Church said it knew beforehand that its discussions with the … Read more >>.

NYC imam makes U.S.-sponsored goodwill tour of Mideast as furor rages over mosque back home

NYC imam’s goodwill tour comes amid mosque furor

NEW YORK – The furor over the planned mosque and Islamic center near ground zero has put Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf in a curious position: At the same time he is being vilified in the U.S. for spearheading the project, he is traveling the Mideast on a State … Original source on Gaea Times at : NYC imam makes U.S.-sponsored goodwill tour of Mideast as furor rages over mosque back home.

Interfaith leaders in Calif. issue letter supporting NYC mosque

NYC mosque draws interfaith support in California
LOS ANGELES – More than 30 Southern California religious leaders gathered Friday in downtown Los Angeles to show their support for plans to build a mosque and community center two blocks from ground zero, despite widespread opposition to the project.
The leaders representing more than a dozen faiths … Read more : Interfaith leaders in Calif. issue letter supporting NYC mosque.

New English-language missal for US Catholics to debut on first Sunday of Advent in 2011

New US Catholic missal to debut in November 2011

Catholics in the United States will begin using a long-awaited English translation of the Roman Missal on the first Sunday of Advent next year, a leading American cardinal announced Friday.
Setting the missal’s debut for Nov. 27, 2011, gives publishers more than 15 months to prepare texts, and …. Read the original article  : New English-language missal for US Catholics to debut on first Sunday of Advent in 2011.

Ground zero Muslim group says it never planned to meet with governor to discuss moving mosque

Mosque group: Never planned to meet with governor

ALBANY, N.Y. – Developers of an Islamic cultural center and mosque near ground zero say they never planned to meet with New York Gov. David Paterson over his offer to help find an alternative site.
The developers from the Cordoba Initiative say there never was a meeting planned with … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Ground zero Muslim group says it never planned to meet with governor to discuss moving mosque.

NYC mosque leader says organizers are sticking with plan for Islamic center near ground zero

NYC mosque leader: We won’t change the course

NEW YORK – A leader of the proposed Islamic center and mosque two blocks from ground zero says dropping the plan in the face of protest is not an option.
Daisy Khan tells The Associated Press that she and other organizers of the center are closely consulting with American …. Original article  : NYC mosque leader says organizers are sticking with plan for Islamic center near ground zero.

Election pressure mounts in oil-rich Nigeria for still-quiet President Goodluck Jonathan

Nigeria: Election pressure mounts for quiet leader

LAGOS, Nigeria – While Nigeria’s president remains silent on whether he’ll seek the oil-rich nation’s highest office in upcoming elections, the campaign has all but begun on the Internet.
A new website once linked from a Nigerian government page purportedly advertises President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2011 election bid, complete with a … Original source on Gaea Times at : Election pressure mounts in oil-rich Nigeria for still-quiet President Goodluck Jonathan.

NY mosque imam: Extremism common threat to West and Muslim world

NY mosque imam: Extremism is global threat
MANAMA, Bahrain – The imam leading plans for an Islamic center near the Manhattan site of the Sept. 11 attacks said Friday he hopes to draw attention during his trip in the Middle East to the common challenges to battle radical … Read : NY mosque imam: Extremism common threat to West and Muslim world.

Never united, Sept. 11 family members split over planned Islamic center near ground zero

Mosque near ground zero divides Sept. 11 relatives
NEW YORK – Talat Hamdani traveled to Mecca to pray that her missing son, an EMT, was safe in the days after 9/11. She held out hope that his Muslim background had led to his detention as a suspect, considering … Read more >>.

Never united, Sept. 11 family members divided over planned Islamic center near ground zero

9/11 family members divided over mosque near WTC
NEW YORK – When her EMT son went missing in the days after 9/11, Talat Hamdani traveled to Mecca to pray that he was safe – hoping authorities could have thought him a suspect because of his Muslim background and detained him.
When they returned part of …. Source article  : Never united, Sept. 11 family members divided over planned Islamic center near ground zero.

Celebrate Varamahalakshmi Festival 2010: Varamahalakshmi SMS

Varamahalakshmi is a day to show devotion and offer prayer to Goddess Lakshmi. Lakshmi is said to be the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. So, Hindu women believe that performing Varamahalakshmi Vrata will bring fame and fortune to their family. With this sheer belief they are going to celebrate the auspicious Varamahalakshmi festival 2010 …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Celebrate Varamahalakshmi Festival 2010: Varamahalakshmi SMS.