Bangladeshi rich take to Eid tourism

DHAKA – Many of Bangladesh’s well-off families are utilising the Eid-ul-Fitr festival this year to take a holiday abroad, moving away from the grime and jostling crowds at home.

Some tour operators recorded 20 percent increase this year in their clients who will take a week-long holiday abroad, The Daily Star reported Thursday.
Travel agents …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bangladeshi rich take to Eid tourism.

Bengal artisans sculpt Ganesha idols in Karnataka (Feature)

HUBLI – Each year, artisans from West Bengal travel to north Karnataka to sculpt idols of the elephant god Ganesha, lending the images an eastern touch that is reminiscent of goddess Durga who is widely worshipped in their native state.

“This city has been our second home for the past 18 years, as we migrate every … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Bengal artisans sculpt Ganesha idols in Karnataka (Feature).

Bahrain calls plans for Quran burning in US ’shameful’ act of intolerance

Bahrain calls Quran burning plans ’shameful’

MANAMA, Bahrain – Bahrain says plans by a Florida church to burn copies of the Quran are a shameful attack on efforts for dialogue between faiths.
The statement by Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday is among the first official denunciations in the Arab world against the planned torching of Islam’s holy …. Read the original article  : here.

Flap over Quran burning an unwelcome distraction from Obama’s efforts to keep focus on economy

Quran burning flap a distraction from Obama agenda
WASHINGTON – First came the outrage over plans for a mosque near ground zero. Now there’s anger over a Florida church’s plan to burn copies of the Quran.
Caught up in it all is President Barack Obama, who’d rather be talking about something – anything – else.
Two [..] Read the original article: here.

Australia’s first Muslim, Aboriginal and youngest ever members of parliament come to Canberra

Australia’s new crop of lawmakers meet in Canberra

CANBERRA, Australia – Among the newly elected legislators who congregated for the first time Thursday at Parliament House were Australia’s first Muslim lawmaker, its youngest-ever at 20 years old and the first Aboriginal in the House of Representatives.
The new lawmakers came to the capital Thursday for their first …. Original article  : Australia’s first Muslim, Aboriginal and youngest ever members of parliament come to Canberra.

Koran burning could amount to another Abu Ghraib: Petraeus

WASHINGTON – The top US commander in Afghanistan warned Wednesday that a Florida pastor’s plan to burn copies of the Koran could be as harmful to the US as the Abu Ghraib prison scandal in Iraq.

General David Petraeus told NBC television that images of the Koran burning would be used by Islamic extremists to fuel … Read : Koran burning could amount to another Abu Ghraib: Petraeus.

Germany: Danish Muhammad cartoonist receives prize in ceremony attended by Chancellor Merkel

Danish Muhammad cartoonist receives German prize

BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised the bravery of a Danish cartoonist who caricatured the Prophet Muhammad at an award ceremony honoring his achievements for freedom of speech.
In her speech praising illustrator Kurt Westergaard, “who has had to fear for his life since the publication of the cartoons in … Read : Germany: Danish Muhammad cartoonist receives prize in ceremony attended by Chancellor Merkel.

Pastor who plans to burn Quran is not in Christian mainstream, was thrown out of former church

Fla. pastor on fringe of US Christian life

NEW YORK – The Florida pastor who plans to burn the Quran on the anniversary of 9/11 is rooted in Pentecostal tradition that believes Christians are engaged in a modern-day spiritual battle with evil.
For Terry Jones and his Dove World Outreach Center, Islam is that evil, a world … Read more >>.

Pakistan official says TV host Glenn Beck should renounce Quran burning, show US is tolerant

Pakistani says Beck should oppose Quran protest

WASHINGTON – Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States is calling on conservative radio and television host Glenn Beck to denounce the planned burning of the Quran to show that Americans are tolerant of other faiths.
“I think it would help if Mr. Glenn Beck came out against it, and said …. Original source  : Pakistan official says TV host Glenn Beck should renounce Quran burning, show US is tolerant.

Iranian ayatollah calls for arrest of US Koran-burning pastor

TEHRAN – A senior Iranian Ayatollah Wednesday harshly condemned plans by a US pastor to burn copies of the Koran on the ninth anniversary of the Sep 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, calling on the US administration to arrest him.

“On behalf of a half billion Muslims, I condemn this savage plan and warn of its consequences,” … Read more : Iranian ayatollah calls for arrest of US Koran-burning pastor.

Deeply disturbed by Quran burning plan: UN chief

NEW YORK – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday that no religion in the world can condone the burning of the Quran.

Ban said he was “deeply disturbed” by reports that a religious group plans to burn copies of the Quran Saturday, on the ninth anniversary of the Sep 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the …. Source  : Deeply disturbed by Quran burning plan: UN chief.

Muslims see Quran burning threat as targeting the direct word of God

Muslims see Quran burning as threat to God’s word

CAIRO – The Quran is the most sacred object in the daily lives of Muslims and burning it would be considered an offense against God.
Islam teaches that the holy book is the direct word of God, received by the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel, and it … Read more : Muslims see Quran burning threat as targeting the direct word of God.

Angela Merkel slams US pastor’s Quran-burning plan

POTSDAM – German Chancellor Angela Merkel Wednesday described as “abhorrent” plans by a US pastor to burn copies of the Quran on the ninth anniversary of the Sep 11, 2001, terrorist attack.

“Honestly, I find it crass, disrespectful, even abhorrent. Just plain wrong,” she said. “Freedom is permanently, and for everyone, bound up with responsibility.”
Merkel … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Angela Merkel slams US pastor’s Quran-burning plan.

Jolie speaks out against plan to burn Quran

LONDON – Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, who is on a visit to flood-hit areas in Pakistan as UN Goodwill Ambassador, has condemned plans of a Florida church to burn the Quran.

“Of course not. Of course not. I have hardly the words that somebody would do that to somebody’s religious book,” Jolie said when asked if …. Read the original article  : Jolie speaks out against plan to burn Quran.

Fla. minister determined to hold Quran burn on Sept. 11, despite international outcry

Fla. minister determined to hold 9/11 Quran burn
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A top general, the secretary of state, the White House and political and religious leaders from around the world have decried a plan by the leader of a small Florida church to burn copies of Islam’s holiest text to mark the … Read more »».

Fla. minister says he has no intention of canceling Quran burn on Sept. 11

Fla. minister has no plans to cancel Quran burn
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The leader of a small Florida church that espouses anti-Islam philosophy says he is going forward with his plans to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11 despite pressure from the White House, religious leaders and others to call it off.
Pastor … Read more »»».

Clinton, Gates denounce planned Quran burning, warn of risks to Americans

Clinton, Gates denounce planned Quran burning
WASHINGTON – The top two national security advisers in President Barack Obama’s Cabinet on Wednesday denounced plans by a small church in Florida to burn the Muslim holy book to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, saying it would inflame tensions and put …. Source  : Clinton, Gates denounce planned Quran burning, warn of risks to Americans.

French Muslim mason immortalized as gargoyle at Catholic cathedral in message of tolerance

Muslim mason immortalized at French cathedral

PARIS – A Muslim stonemason who spent nearly four decades helping to restore a Roman Catholic cathedral in France has been immortalized as a winged gargoyle peering out from its facade – with the inscription “God is great” written in French and Arabic.
It was conceived as a symbol of inter-religious …. Source  : French Muslim mason immortalized as gargoyle at Catholic cathedral in message of tolerance.

Bahrain freezes human rights group and appoints new head

Govt takes over Bahrain human rights group

MANAMA, Bahrain – Bahrain’s government on Wednesday suspended the board of a prominent human rights group, accusing it of being too partial to the country’s Shiite majority.
The Ministry of Social Development issued a statement saying an investigation had been carried out in to the Bahrain Human Rights Society – … Read more : Bahrain freezes human rights group and appoints new head.

Skepticism about peace mixes with festive atmosphere as Israelis usher in Jewish new year

Pessimistic about peace, Israelis greet new year
JERUSALEM – Israelis usher in the Jewish new year, or Rosh Hashana, at sundown Wednesday with a widespread sense of pessimism that a new round of U.S.-sponsored Mideast talks can achieve peace.
President Barack Obama wants a deal within a year, but Israelis are deeply skeptical …. Original source  : Skepticism about peace mixes with festive atmosphere as Israelis usher in Jewish new year.