Ayodhya verdict not about Hindus, Muslims: Babri panel

LUCKNOW – The Ayodhya verdict will not be about Hindus or Muslims, but will reflect the victory of the rule of law and independence of the judiciary, Zafaryab Jilani, the Babri Masjid Action Committee convenor, said ahead of the Ayodhya verdict Thursday.

“These cases relating to the title and possession of Babri Masjid are apparently …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Ayodhya verdict not about Hindus, Muslims: Babri panel.

Ayodhya is part of India’s growing up process: B.G. Verghese

NEW DELHI – The Ayodhya issue is a growing-up pang India is battling with in its process of growth as a mature democracy, says veteran journalist B.G. Verghese whose book, “First Draft: Witness to Making of Modern India”, was released here.

“India is growing up and changing. An underlying transformation is taking place and Ayodhya …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Ayodhya is part of India’s growing up process: B.G. Verghese.

Wary Lucknow deserts roads ahead of Ayodhya verdict

LUCKNOW – Limited vehicular movement, deserted commercial establishments, half-day schools and heavy armed deployment – this was the scene in some areas of the city Thursday, hours before the Allahabad High Court’s judgment on the Ayodhya dispute.

Roads in Aliganj, Jankipuram, Kapoorthala, Mahanagar, Vikas Nagar and other areas of the Old City which have a … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Wary Lucknow deserts roads ahead of Ayodhya verdict.

4 years after son’s death in Iraq, father and funeral protesters take dispute to Supreme Court

High court looks at military funeral protests

YORK, Pa. – One thing Al Snyder wants to make clear: His boy fought and died for freedom in Iraq, but not for the right of some “wackos” to spew hate at soldiers’ funerals under the protection of the Constitution.
“It’s an insult to myself, my family and the veterans … Read more >>>.

Amicable agreement on dispute needed: Ayodhya residents

AYODHYA – An amicable agreement should be reached over the land dispute in Ayodhya, residents of this Uttar Pradesh city said Thursday, a day when the Allahabad High Court is to deliver its judgment on the long pending Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi dispute.

“The judgment is necessary as it would mark the end of a judicial … Original source on Gaea Times at : Amicable agreement on dispute needed: Ayodhya residents.

Thousands of police patrol northern India as verdict over control of holy site looms

India braces for violence amid holy site verdict

LUCKNOW, India – India sent hundreds of thousands of troops into the streets Thursday as it braced for a potential eruption of violence ahead of a court decision on whether Hindus or Muslims should control a disputed holy site.
The conflict over the compound in the town of Ayodhya, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Thousands of police patrol northern India as verdict over control of holy site looms.

Agra short of priests for ‘pitrapaksh’ rituals

AGRA – This city seems to be running short of priests during ‘pitrapaksh’, the fortnight when many Hindus offer prayers to ancestors. Pundits from other parts of Uttar Pradesh as well as Bihar are helping meet the demand for trained hands to conduct rituals.

Migrant priests are gradually filling the vacuum created by local priests … Read more >>>.

4 years after son’s death in Iraq, father, funeral protesters take dispute to US Supreme Court

US high court looks at military funeral protests

YORK, Pennsylvania – One thing Al Snyder wants to make clear: His boy fought and died for freedom in Iraq, but not for the right of some “wackos” to spew hate at soldiers’ funerals under the protection of the U.S. Constitution.
“It’s an insult to myself, my family and … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 4 years after son’s death in Iraq, father, funeral protesters take dispute to US Supreme Court.

Defense says waving, dropping Quran in court tainted trial of Ore. man in Islamic charity case

New trial sought in Oregon Islamic charity case

PORTLAND, Ore. – Prosecutors in the trial of the Oregon leader of an Islamic charity branch used appeals to provoke prejudice and emotion that included waving the Quran in the air and throwing it on the table in front of jurors, his lawyers say in a request for … Read more : Defense says waving, dropping Quran in court tainted trial of Ore. man in Islamic charity case.

Vatican taps Spaniard to investigate cult-like group linked to disgraced Legionaries of Christ

Vatican taps investigator for group tied to Legion

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican has named a Spanish archbishop to investigate a cult-like group affiliated with the Legionaries of Christ, the conservative religious order disgraced by revelations its founder sexually abused seminarians and fathered three children.
Monsignor Ricardo Blazquez, archbishop of Valladolid, Spain, will head the probe into … Read more : Vatican taps Spaniard to investigate cult-like group linked to disgraced Legionaries of Christ.

US commander says Iraqi impasse over forming government encouraging spike in insurgent attacks

US general: Iraq political limbo fuels violence

BAGHDAD – The top U.S. commander for Baghdad warned Wednesday that Iraq’s prolonged political crisis has encouraged militants to step up attacks and left civilians so frustrated they could be holding back crucial tips on suspected insurgent cells.
The assessment by U.S. Brig. Gen. Rob Baker is the most direct … Read more »».

Danish foreign minister meets Muslim ambassadors ahead of cartoon anniversary

Denmark seeks to avoid renewed cartoon uproar

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Denmark’s foreign minister met Wednesday with ambassadors from 17 Muslim countries in a move to avoid tensions ahead of the five-year anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad cartoons.
The drawings first appeared in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten on Sept. 30, 2005, and sparked fiery protests in Muslim countries … Original article on : Danish foreign minister meets Muslim ambassadors ahead of cartoon anniversary.

Ayodhya dispute a national problem: Priest

AYODHYA – Head priest of Ram Lala – a makeshift temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya – Mahant Acharya Satyendra Das said here Wednesday that the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute must be viewed as a national problem and not as a conflict between two religious communities.

“The Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue cannot be linked only …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Ayodhya dispute a national problem: Priest.

PM calls for calm as India on alert ahead of Ayodhya verdict (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – A day ahead of the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi verdict that will put to test India’s ideal of religious tolerance, India was on alert Wednesday with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, among others, appealing for peace and mutual respect.

While the central and state governments stepped up security to ward … Read more : PM calls for calm as India on alert ahead of Ayodhya verdict (Roundup).

Don’t foresee problem after Ayodhya verdict: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI – A day before Allahabad High Court’s verdict on the Ayodhya dispute, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday said the government didnt foresee any problems after the announcement of the court decision.

India has moved on, especially the people who were born after 1992 (when Babri Masjid at the disputed site was razed …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Don’t foresee problem after Ayodhya verdict: Chidambaram.

Ayodhya dispute: claims and counter-claims

NEW DELHI – The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court will Thursday give its verdict on the Ayodhya land row. Here are the claims and counter-claims of the contestants in the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi dispute:

Birthplace of Hindu god Ram:
– Hindu litigants say the disputed site in Ayodhya is the birthplace of Ram.
– …. Source article  : Ayodhya dispute: claims and counter-claims.

Security tightened ahead of Indian court decision on Ayodhya holy site

Tight security as India awaits holy site verdict

LUCKNOW, India – Thousands of police and paramilitary forces fanned out across a dozen north Indian cities and towns Wednesday ahead of a potentially explosive court judgment on who should control a disputed holy site, police said.
Authorities used helicopters to keep a vigil on historic sites of violence … Original source on Gaea Times at : Security tightened ahead of Indian court decision on Ayodhya holy site.

Iraqi PM candidate in Syria amid frustration over political deadlock

Iraqi PM candidate in Syria for talks
DAMASCUS, Syria – A leading candidate in the contested race to lead Iraq’s new government insisted during a visit to Syria on Wednesday that he would not take part in any coalition headed by his rival, the current prime minister.

Former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi narrowly defeated Prime Minister Prime …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Iraqi PM candidate in Syria amid frustration over political deadlock.

Maintain peace after Ayodhya verdict, urges Sonia

NEW DELHI – Congress president and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi Wednesday asked the people to maintain peace and communal brotherhood “at any cost” after the court verdict on the “sensitive” Ayodhya dispute.

“I request you to accept whatever the court’s decision will be and keeping faith in the Indian judiciary maintain … Read more : Maintain peace after Ayodhya verdict, urges Sonia.

Devotees can visit Ayodhya temple on judgement day

LUCKNOW – No restrictions will be imposed on devotees visiting Ram Lala – the makeshift temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya – Thursday when the verdict in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit will be pronounced, an official said Wednesday.

“There will be absolutely no restriction on ‘darshan’ of Ram Lala,” said Faizabad District Magistrate …. Source article  : Devotees can visit Ayodhya temple on judgement day.