Burqa can’t be forced on women, rules Bangladesh court

DHAKA – A court in Bangladesh, an Islamic Republic, has directed the government to ensure that no woman is forced to wear burqa or religious attires in the educational institutions and offices across the country.

A bench of the Dhaka High Court Sunday also ordered the government to ensure that the cultural activities and sports in … Read : Burqa can’t be forced on women, rules Bangladesh court.

Mexican Catholics, gay rights activists face off for second day over same-sex marriage debate

Mexican Catholics, gay rights protesters face off

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Gay rights activists and a group of Roman Catholics in Mexico have yelled insults at each other during dueling demonstrations over same-sex marriage.
Some 200 gay rights activists waved rainbow flags and held signs reading “Thank God I’m gay” at a plaza next to the cathedral in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mexican Catholics, gay rights activists face off for second day over same-sex marriage debate.

Mother of dead Cuban hunger striker holds march without incident after weeks of confrontations

Mom of dead Cuban hunger striker allowed to march

HAVANA – The mother of a Cuban political prisoner who died following a hunger strike held a march in her son’s honor without incident Sunday, as pro-government mobs that had broken up the demonstration for weeks stayed away.
Reina Luisa Tamayo led about 12 relatives from her home …. Original source  : Mother of dead Cuban hunger striker holds march without incident after weeks of confrontations.

Hundreds stage opposing demos at ground zero Islamic site

NEW YORK – Protesters against the construction of an Islamic community centre and a mosque near ground zero faced off Sunday with protesters in favour of the facility in New York, a media report said.

With chants and banners, hundreds of critics and supporters of the proposed centre in New York showed up despite an …. Original source  : Hundreds stage opposing demos at ground zero Islamic site.

NY mosque imam: attention sparked by project is positive, hopes it will bring understanding

NY mosque imam: Attention from project is positive
MANAMA, Bahrain – The imam spearheading plans for an Islamic center near ground zero said Sunday the attention generated by the project is positive and he hopes it will bring greater understanding.
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf’s plans for an Islamic cultural center about two blocks from the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : NY mosque imam: attention sparked by project is positive, hopes it will bring understanding.

Heated rallies over project near WTC site: ‘No mosque, no way!’ vs. ‘Say no to racist fear!’

Rallies over mosque near ground zero get heated
NEW YORK – Hundreds of impassioned demonstrators – all waving American flags, but separated into two groups by police – descended on the site of the proposed mosque near ground zero, with …. Source  : Heated rallies over project near WTC site: ‘No mosque, no way!’ vs. ‘Say no to racist fear!’.

Dwindling numbers worry Kerala church

KOCHI – A four-day assembly of the Syro Malabar Catholic Church that concluded here Sunday expressed deep concern that the numbers of its faithful were dwindling.

“We are worried because life is a gift of the god and it is a matter of concern to us because the rich and educated do not take parenthood in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Dwindling numbers worry Kerala church.

Bahrain’s Shiite leader condemns continued arrests, reversing 10 years of sectarian progress

Shiites say Bahrain crackdown sets back relations

MANAMA, Bahrain – Bahrain’s top Shiite politician said a crackdown on Shiite protesters by Sunni rulers has destroyed a decade of stable sectarian relations as the tiny Gulf state heads into parliamentary elections scheduled for October.
The wave of detentions – at least 160, according to one lawyer – has …. Read the original article  : Bahrain’s Shiite leader condemns continued arrests, reversing 10 years of sectarian progress.

NY mosque imam says US freedoms more in line with Islam than limits of some Muslim nations

NY mosque imam: US rights in line with true Islam

MANAMA, Bahrain – The imam spearheading plans for an Islamic center near the New York site of the Sept. 11 attacks says America’s sweeping constitutional rights are more in line with Islamic principles than the limits imposed by some Muslim nations.
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf told the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : NY mosque imam says US freedoms more in line with Islam than limits of some Muslim nations.

Students shouldn’t be forced to wear burqas: Dhaka court

DHAKA – A Bangladeshi court Sunday asked the government to ensure that women are not forced to wear burqas in public offices and schools, court officials said.

The country’s High Court issued the order following reports that officials in a female college in northern Bangladesh were forbidding students from attending class unless they wear a burqa. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Students shouldn’t be forced to wear burqas: Dhaka court.

Delhi Sikhs protest Kashmir threats

NEW DELHI – A breakaway fraction of the Akalai Dal held a demonstration here Sunday to protest the anonymous letters received by the Sikhs in Kashmir asking them to embrace Islam or face dire consequences.

“The government is just concerned about the Commonwealth Games. We fear that because of the games, we will lose Kashmir to … Read more >>>.

Metro plans extra trips on Raksha Bandhan

NEW DELHI – The Delhi Metro will run 187 extra trips to avoid overcrowding on the Raksha Bandhan festival Aug 24, an official said Sunday.

According to a Delhi Metro spokesperson, “The metro will provide extra 187 trips and the trains will run at peak hour frequency from morning 8 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday.” …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

5 years after crisis in Spanish enclave in North Africa, a different conflict simmers

Tensions simmer in Spanish enclave in North Africa

MELILLA, Spain – In this crowded and muggy speck of Europe perched on Africa’s shoulder, with the Mediterranean to one side and gigantic Morocco to the other, a person might be forgiven for going a little stir crazy.
The few aircraft that come to this far-flung Spanish enclave are …. Source  : Gaea News Network.