Anti-burqa bill tabled in Italian parliament

Rome, Sep 18 (IANS/AKI) Italy’s anti-immigrant North League party has introduced a bill in the lower house of parliament seeking ban on burqa, the full body veil worn by Muslim women.

According to the legislation, wearing burqa will be punishable by a year in prison, fines of 150 to 300 euros for the wearer and 30,000 …. Original article  : Anti-burqa bill tabled in Italian parliament.

Christians plan to defy police, Muslim warnings against praying at closed church in Indonesia

Christians in Indonesia defy police, past attacks

JAKARTA, Indonesia – A group of Christian worshippers said they would defy police and the threat of attack to hold Sunday prayers outside their now-boarded-up church near Indonesia’s capital.
Religious tensions that had been growing for months in the industrial city of Bekasi came to a head last week when …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Christians plan to defy police, Muslim warnings against praying at closed church in Indonesia.

Muslim summit planned as backers of NYC Islamic center seek to gel support

Muslim summit planned over NYC Islamic center

NEW YORK – A proposed Islamic center near ground zero is slowly being embraced by some Muslims who initially were indifferent about the plan, partly in response to a sense that their faith is under attack.
A summit of U.S. Muslim organizations is planned for Saturday and Sunday in New …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Muslim summit planned as backers of NYC Islamic center seek to gel support.

No amicable solution or delaying Ayodhya verdict: Court (Night Lead)

LUCKNOW – A week before it is scheduled to announce its verdict in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid row, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court Friday turned down a plea for directing an out-of-court amicable settlement of the dispute, noting several such attempts in the past had gone in vain.

The court also slapped costs of … Read more : No amicable solution or delaying Ayodhya verdict: Court (Night Lead).

African Union peacekeepers cite struggles in expanding reach across Somalia’s troubled capital

AU peacekeepers expand bases in Somali capital

MOGADISHU, Somalia – African Union peacekeepers said Friday they have worked frantically to establish new bases across Somalia’s chaotic capital, in what officials said is a new strategic turn after Somali soldiers ditched more than a dozen key positions during a month of bloody clashes.
The force of some 7,100 … Read more >>.

Ayodhya petitioner to move Supreme Court

LUCKNOW – Retired bureaucrat Ramesh Chandra Tripathi, whose plea for a court direction to the parties in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute to find an amicable and out-of-court settlement was dismissed by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court Friday, will now move the Supreme Court.

“The high court order has not disheartened me at …. Original article  : Ayodhya petitioner to move Supreme Court.

In Israel, life comes to a halt as Jews mark solemn fasting day of Yom Kippur

Israel grinds to a halt for Yom Kippur fasting day

JERUSALEM – Israel came to a virtual standstill at sundown Friday as Jews began observing the start of the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, the 25 hours of fasting and contemplation known as Yom Kippur.
Though most Israelis are not religious, Israel all but shuts down … Read more : In Israel, life comes to a halt as Jews mark solemn fasting day of Yom Kippur.

Muslims appeal for peace – post Ayodhya verdict

MUMBAI – Muslim intellectuals and religious scholars Friday urged the Muslim community to maintain peace after the judicial gives its ruling on the Babri mosque title suit Sep 24.

Addressing mediapersons here, activists of the Federation of Minorities NGOs appealed to Muslims not to get emotionally swayed by the court ruling and maintain calm at all …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Muslims appeal for peace — post Ayodhya verdict.

India Celebrates Viswakarma Puja Today

NEW DELHI (GaeaTimes.com) — Entire nation has come together today to celebrate the Viswakarma Puja with pure mind and spirit. Lord Viswaskarma is a Hindu deity who is considered to be the god of architecture and engineering. So all the institutions, workshops or companies related to engineering and architectural works observe this day with … Read : India Celebrates Viswakarma Puja Today.

No out-of-court solution or delaying Ayodhya verdict: Court

LUCKNOW – A week before it is to rule on the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid row, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court Friday turned down a plea for delaying the long-pending verdict and directing an out-of-court amicable settlement of the dispute.

The court also slapped costs of Rs. 2 lakhs on the applicant, though sources later …. Original source  : No out-of-court solution or delaying Ayodhya verdict: Court.

Muslims raise money for installing goddess idol

LUCKNOW – Setting a unique example of brotherhood ahead of the Sep 24 court verdict on the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, Muslims in Uttar Pradesh’s Mainpuri district are raising funds for installation of a new idol in a Hindu temple after the old one was accidentally broken.

About 50 Muslims in Barnal town, some 300 km … Read more »»».

Plea to defer Ayodhya verdict dismissed

LUCKNOW – The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court Friday dismissed a petition seeking deferment of its Sep 24 verdict in the long-pending Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case.

The court also imposed costs of Rs.200,000 on petitioner Ramesh Chandra Tripathi, a low-profile retired government employee, who had sought an amicable and out-of-court settlement of the dispute.
… Read more >>.

Anti-American protests staged in Jammu

JAMMU – Muslims Friday held anti-American protests across Jammu region to give vent to their anger against the alleged desecration of the Quran in Florida, US, last week.

“Down with America”, “Down with imperialism” were the slogans raised at different mosques after the Friday prayers.
However, the protests were held within the places of worship. … Read more »»».

Pope in London on second leg of Britain visit

LONDON – Pope Benedict XVI began the second day of his state visit Friday by meeting thousands of school children in London in an event described as “the big assembly”.

The event, in the London suburb of Twickenham, would “celebrate Catholic education”, organisers said.
Later Friday, the 83-year-old German-born pontiff is scheduled to have a meeting [..] Read the original article: here.

Ayodhya group echoes need for ‘amicable settlement’

LUCKNOW – Barely an hour before a special three-judge bench of the Allahabad High Court was to hear an application seeking to defer its Sep 24 verdict in the long-pending temple-mosque row, a key Ayodhya group echoed the need for efforts towards an out-of-court “amicable settlement” on the vexed issue.

The group is the Ayodhya-based …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Ayodhya group echoes need for ‘amicable settlement’.