Hindus in Bangladesh celebrate Janmashtami

DHAKA – Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is being celebrated Wednesday across Muslim-majority Bangladesh.

The day’s programmes include worship of Lord Krishna, puja, Gita Jagna, kirtan, discussions and peace processions, Star Online, the website of The Daily Star reported Wednesday.
The day is a public holiday in the country. Bangladesh has the third largest population …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations In Delhi

DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The holy event of Krishna Janmashtami is being celebrated in Delhi just like the other parts of India. The birth anniversary of Lord Sri Krishna, a prominent deity in Indian mythology, has made the devout followers excited and happy. However, the government does not want any untoward incident to take …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations In Delhi.

PM greets nation on Janmashtami

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.

The prime minister said in a message that the festival of Janmashtami celebrates the life and eternal teachings of Lord Krishna – discipline, knowledge and selfless action.
“May the festival inspire …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Chopper service for Himachal’s Manimahesh pilgrims

SHIMLA – Himachal Pradesh has allowed private heli-taxi operators to ferry pilgrims during the sacred Hindu pilgrimage Manimahesh in the remote areas of Chamba district, an official said here Wednesday.

“Two companies – Shiva Heli Service and Virat Heli Service – were allowed to operate heli-taxis this week. They will operate choppers till the end of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Chopper service for Himachal’s Manimahesh pilgrims.

EEOC alleges Muslim Somali workers face harassment at JBS meatpacking plants in Colo., Neb.

Suits: Muslims harassed at JBS meatpacking plants

DENVER – Muslim Somali workers at two JBS Swift & Co. meatpacking plants in Colorado and Nebraska face ongoing harassment because of their race and religion, including being prevented from getting a drink at one of the plants after fasting all day during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, …. Original source  : EEOC alleges Muslim Somali workers face harassment at JBS meatpacking plants in Colo., Neb..

EEOC lawsuits allege Muslim Somali workers harrassed at JBS meatpacking plants in Colo., Neb.

Suits: Muslims harrassed at JBS meatpacking plants

DENVER – Muslim Somali workers face ongoing mistreatment and harassment at two JBS Swift & Co. meatpacking plants in Colorado and Nebraska, including being prevented from getting a drink at one of the plants after fasting all day during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, the Equal Employment Opportunity … Original source on Gaea Times at : EEOC lawsuits allege Muslim Somali workers harrassed at JBS meatpacking plants in Colo., Neb..

EEOC sues JBS over alleged harassment of Muslim workers at meatpacking plants in Colo., Neb.

EEOC sues JBS, says Muslim Somalis mistreated

DENVER – Federal officials say Muslim Somali workers were denied prayer time and faced harrassment and termination at two JBS Swift & Co. meatpacking plants in Colorado and Nebraska.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission made the allegations in lawsuits filed late Monday in U.S. District Court in Denver and in …. Original source  : EEOC sues JBS over alleged harassment of Muslim workers at meatpacking plants in Colo., Neb..

Iraqi prime minister says his country is independent, sovereign as US ends combat operations

Iraq says its independent as US ends combat
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said the end of American combat operations Tuesday leaves his country independent and an equal to the United States and he assured his people their own security forces will protect them.
But the extent of U.S. …. Read the original article  : Iraqi prime minister says his country is independent, sovereign as US ends combat operations.

‘I would take them down,’ NY synagogue plot suspect says in tapes played for jury

NY synagogue plot suspect heard boasting on tape

NEW YORK – A down-and-out Muslim man, under pressure from a paid FBI informant, admitted he was eager to attack a New York synagogue to vent his rage against Jews and U.S. military might in the Middle East, according to tapes played Tuesday at his trial.
“I don’t care …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ‘I would take them down,’ NY synagogue plot suspect says in tapes played for jury.

Imam says fight over planned mosque near ground zero could shape future of Islam in America

NY Imam: Mosque fight about Muslim role in America

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The imam leading plans for an Islamic center near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York said Tuesday that the fight is over more than “a piece of real estate” and could shape the future of Muslim relations in … Read : Imam says fight over planned mosque near ground zero could shape future of Islam in America.

NYC mayor: Probing finances of proposed Islamic center, mosque would set ‘terrible precedent’

NYC mayor disapproves of probe of mosque financing

NEW YORK – New York’s mayor says an investigation by the state attorney general into the finances of a proposed Islamic center and mosque near ground zero would set “a terrible precedent.”
Mayor Michael Bloomberg says there’s no reason for the government to investigate donations to religious organizations.
Congressman Peter …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

UAE sends 500 tonnes food aid to Somalia

Abu Dhabi, Aug 31 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sent 500 tonnes of food to Somalia as part of its humanitarian assistance to the poverty-stricken country during the holy month of Ramadan.

Abdullah Mattar Al Mazrouie, UAE ambassador to Yemen, said more than 500 tonnes of food supplies were sent from Sana’a to save …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : UAE sends 500 tonnes food aid to Somalia.

Defrocking process begun for Pa. priest accused of impregnating teen; DA says no charges

Pa. priest won’t face charges over videotaped sex

PHILADELPHIA – A Roman Catholic diocese in Pennsylvania has begun the process to defrock a priest whose dalliances with a teenage girl were videotaped by her parents. She later gave birth to a daughter.
But Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams says his office won’t press charges against …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Defrocking process begun for Pa. priest accused of impregnating teen; DA says no charges.

Security beefed up in temples ahead of Janmashtami

NEW DELHI – Security arrangements have been beefed up in and around the big temples and markets in the capital on the eve of Janmashtami – the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, which will be celebrated Sep 2 this year.

Thousands of devotees are expected to visit the temples around the capital on the eve … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Security beefed up in temples ahead of Janmashtami.

Pope grants interviews to German journalist for new book expected later this year

Pope grants interviews to journalist for new book

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI has granted a series of interviews to a German journalist that will form the basis of a new book expected later this year.
The Vatican said Tuesday that Benedict and journalist Peter Seewald spoke several times over the course of the final week …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Pope grants interviews to German journalist for new book expected later this year.

Poll: 71 percent of New Yorkers want developers to move mosque, want AG to investigate funding

Poll: Most NYers want developers to move mosque

ALBANY, N.Y. – A new poll finds 71 percent of New Yorkers want the developers of an Islamic center and mosque near ground zero to voluntarily move the project.
The Quinnipiac (KWIHN’-uh-pee-ak) University poll released Tuesday finds the same amount of New Yorkers want Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to … Read : Poll: 71 percent of New Yorkers want developers to move mosque, want AG to investigate funding.

Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations Ahead

BANGALORE, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- For the religious and devout Indians Krishna Janmashtami is a holy and auspicious occasion and this is something they look forward to. It is celebrated in various parts of the country by the followers of Lord Krishna with great enthusiasm and the occasion is associated with a number of religious rituals. …. Original article  : Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations Ahead.

Bangladesh minister slammed for comments on Janmashtami

DHAKA – A call by Bangladesh Home Minister Sahara Khatun to the minority Hindu community to observe Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, “peacefully” and end it by 5 p.m. Wednesday in time for the end of “roza” has been criticised by the nation’s media.

The minister’s call has been termed “overtly discriminatory” in an editorial …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Developer says Islamic center planned near ground zero should be known as ‘hub of coexistence’

Developer behind NYC mosque talks about his vision

NEW YORK – The developer behind an Islamic cultural center and mosque planned near ground zero says it should be known as “a hub of coexistence.”
Sharif El-Gamal says it never occurred to him an Islamic center near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks would stir up so …. Source article  : Developer says Islamic center planned near ground zero should be known as ‘hub of coexistence’.

Federal employment commission files suit alleging discrimination against Muslims at Neb. plant

Feds: Muslims faced discrimination at Neb. plant

OMAHA, Neb. – Federal officials say a JBS Swift & Co. meatpacking plant in Nebraska should provide Muslim employees with prayer time and not retaliate against workers who ask to pray.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit Monday on behalf of more than 80 Somali Muslims.
A message left … Read : Federal employment commission files suit alleging discrimination against Muslims at Neb. plant.