Iranian prosecutor says he’s ready to release jailed American woman on $500,000 bail

Iran prosecutor ready to release American woman

TEHRAN, Iran – A senior Iranian prosecutor said Sunday that authorities will release an American woman on $500,000 bail because of health problems, more than a year after she was jailed with two other Americans and accused of spying.
The news came during a weekend of start-and-stop announcements about the … Read more »».

State TV: Tehran prosecutor says Iran ready to release jailed American woman on bail

State media: Iran ready to release American woman

TEHRAN, Iran – Iranian state TV is reporting that a senior prosecutor is ready to release a jailed American woman on bail.
Sarah Shourd was to have been released Saturday as an act of clemency to mark the end of Ramadan after the intervention of Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. …. Original source  : State TV: Tehran prosecutor says Iran ready to release jailed American woman on bail.

Italian Muslims unveil mosque with church model

Florence (Italy) Sep 12 (IANS/AKI) Muslim leaders in Italy have unveiled the model of a mosque to be constructed in Florence with minarets having resemblance of the cathedral’s bell tower designed by medieval period architect Giotto.

“Florence needs to have a mosque that rivals the city’s historic beauty and cultural wealth,” said the central Italian … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Italian Muslims unveil mosque with church model.

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations Countrywide

HYDERABAD, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The country is celebrating the Ganesh Chaturthi festival amidst excitement and enthusiasm and the states are wearing a festive look for that reason. The devotees of the Elephant god wait for this time of the year and seek the blessing of the deity. However, Mumbai is the place where the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rival rallies over Islamic centre mark 9/11

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON – As America observed the ninth anniversary of the Sep 11, 2001 terror attacks that shook the world, thousands of rowdy protestors held rallies in Lower Manhattan for and against a proposed controversial Islamic centre near Ground Zero.

Both sides drew large, boisterous crowds with about 3,000 pro-mosque demonstrators marching from City Hall to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Rival rallies over Islamic centre mark 9/11.

Amid furor over NYC mosque, nation pauses to remember victims of Sept. 11

Unsettled nation marks 9/11 with rituals of sorrow
NEW YORK – First came the tears, the solemn bugle call and the recital of the names of the dead. Then came the chants, speeches and angry shouts.
It was a Sept. 11 anniversary unlike any other. For the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Amid furor over NYC mosque, nation pauses to remember victims of Sept. 11.

Activists hold dueling demonstrations over NYC mosque after annual Sept. 11 ceremony

Dueling demonstrations begin after 9/11 memorial
NEW YORK – Hundreds of family members of Sept. 11 victims recited loved ones’ names through tears on the ninth anniversary of the attacks Saturday, avoiding direct mention of the political furor over plans for a mosque that later drew thousands of protesters on both sides.
After … Read more >>.

Detained American woman caught in the middle of Iranian power struggle

US woman caught in middle of Iran’s power struggle

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Iran’s start-and-stop announcements over the release of one of three detained Americans add up to a distinct message: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his allies still have a fight on their hands within the ruling ranks.
The confusing signals over the fate of 31-year-old …. Source article  : Detained American woman caught in the middle of Iranian power struggle.

Supporters of Islamic center gather for rally after 9/11 memorial; protest also planned

Pro-mosque demonstrators group after 9/11 memorial
NEW YORK – Several hundred activists are rallying to support an Islamic center proposed near ground zero after remembrances were held for nearly 3,000 victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.
They are toting signs in Saturday’s rally with such slogans as “The attack on Islam is racism” and “Tea [..] Read the original article: here.

Thousands protest in Afghanistan, chant ‘Death to America’ over once-planned Quran burning

Thousands of Afghans in anti-Quran-burning protest

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghans set fire to tires in the streets and shouted “Death to America” for a second day Saturday despite a decision by an American pastor to call off plans to burn copies of the Islamic holy book.
The protests, the largest drawing a crowd estimated at more than …. Original source  : Thousands protest in Afghanistan, chant ‘Death to America’ over once-planned Quran burning.

Sept. 11 events progress with victims in mind but under shadow of Islam controversies

9/11 events go on in shadow of Islam controversies
NEW YORK – Family members of Sept. 11 victims recited loved ones’ names through tears on the ninth anniversary of the attacks Saturday, avoiding direct mention of the political furor centered two blocks from ground zero as demonstrations began …. Read the original article  : Sept. 11 events progress with victims in mind but under shadow of Islam controversies.

Delhi celebrates Eid with traditional fervour

NEW DELHI – The walled city Saturday reverberated with greetings of ‘Eid Mubarak’ as thousands of people thronged the historic Jama Masjid and other Eidgahs of the old city to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.

The Jama Masjid, built by Mughal emperor Shahjehan in 1656, looked spectacular as thousands of people, mostly clad in white, offered congregational Eid … Read more : Delhi celebrates Eid with traditional fervour.

Fla. pastor who opposes NYC mosque says his church will ‘not today, not ever’ burn a Quran

Fla. pastor will ‘not today, not ever’ burn Quran

NEW YORK – A Florida pastor says his church will “not today, not ever” burn a Quran, even if a mosque is built near ground zero.
Pastor Terry Jones had threatened to burn the Muslim holy book on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks over plans to …. Source  : Fla. pastor who opposes NYC mosque says his church will ‘not today, not ever’ burn a Quran.

Obama cites national unity after Sept. 11 attacks, how Americans showed ‘best of our humanity’

Obama cites national unity after Sept. 11 attacks
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama marked the Sept. 11 anniversary by looking back with pride at how the country “responded to the worst of depravity with the best of our humanity” and embraced a sense of national unity.
“We are one nation – one people …. Original source  : Obama cites national unity after Sept. 11 attacks, how Americans showed ‘best of our humanity’.

Events marking Sept. 11 begin on anniversary that’s become more political than reflective

Events begin marking 9th anniversary of Sept. 11
NEW YORK – Bells have tolled throughout New York City and mourners have observed a moment of silence to mark the time terrorists began their attack on America nine years ago.
Politics threatened to overshadow Saturday’s day of mourning for nearly 3,000 Sept. 11 victims amid [..] Read the original article: here.

Eid celebrated in West Bengal

KOLKATA – West Bengal joined the rest of India in celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr with prayers and exchange of greetings Saturday.

The biggest Eid congregation was held on the sprawling Red Road in central Kolkata, where over 42,000 devotees took part in prayers.
Verses from the Quran were read and explained to the masses before Nakhoda Mosque Imam … Original source on Gaea Times at : Eid celebrated in West Bengal.

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated with Grandeur

MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- This year two religious festivities namely the Eid and Ganesh Chaturthi are being celebrated in India on the same day and this can be dubbed as an example of peaceful co existence of religious diversity. The Bollywood actors and actresses have sent their greetings and heartfelt wishes to the … Read more : Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated with Grandeur.

Tight security for Ganesh festival in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD – Police in Hyderabad have made elaborate arrangements for the 11-day Ganesh festival which began Saturday with the installation of hundreds of idols of the elephant-headed god..

Vinayaka Chaturthi, which mark the beginning of the festival, was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety as devotees thronged the markets to purchase idols.
Policemen were deployed in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Tight security for Ganesh festival in Hyderabad.

Fla. pastor who opposes NYC mosque says his church will never burn a Quran

Fla. pastor says his church will never burn Quran

NEW YORK – A Florida pastor says his church will never burn a Quran, even if a mosque is built near ground zero.
Pastor Terry Jones had threatened to burn the Muslim holy book on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks over plans to build an Islamic [..] Read the original article: here.

Hindu-Muslim peace marches ahead of Ayodhya verdict

LUCKNOW – In a unique show of communal harmony, a large number of Muslims and Hindus have joined hands in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district to take out peace marches ahead of the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit verdict Sep 24.

Under the banner of Sarvadharma Ekta Parishad, over 100 members from both the communities are carrying out …. Original source  : Hindu-Muslim peace marches ahead of Ayodhya verdict.