GreenFaith names Hindu and Jain scholar in residence

WASHINGTON – GreenFaith, a leading US interfaith environmental coalition, has named Pankaj Jain, an Indian American professor, as a Hindu and Jain Scholar in Residence on the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday.

Jain, an Assistant Professor of Indian Religions and Ecology at the University of North Texas will work with GreenFaith to strengthen Hindu and … Read more »»».

Shia youth group offers donation to build Ram temple

LUCKNOW – Announcing a donation of Rs.15 lakh for starting the construction of the much-debated temple at Ayodhya, a Shia youth organisation here says itopposes with any move to appeal against the Allahabad High Court verdict in the Ayodhya dispute.

“We will make a formal request to the Sunni Central Waqf Board not to go … Read more »»».

Tibetan netizens debate their prime ministerial candidates

DHARAMSALA – The Tibetan cyberspace is abuzz with activity ahead of Sunday’s primary elections to shortlist candidates for the ‘prime minister’ and parliament of the Tibetan government-in-exile here.

The primary elections to nominate candidates for the Kalon Tripa, or prime minister, and parliament of the government-in-exile based in this northern Indian hill town will be …. Source article  : Tibetan netizens debate their prime ministerial candidates.

Tree featured in Bible tale of Jesus to help transform Jericho into tourism hub

Ancient tree to help turn Jericho into tourism hub

“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, who was the chief among the tax collectors, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus … but could not because of the crowd, because he was of short stature. … Read more »».

Hardline Sadrists throw support behind Iraqi PM, with hopes of taking over after US leaves

Anti-American cleric vies for more power in Iraq

BAGHDAD – A Muslim cleric who once used a militia to resist the American invasion positioned himself as a big winner in Iraq’s monthslong political deadlock Friday when his party threw its support behind the beleaguered prime minister.
The hard-line Shiite group led by Muqtada al-Sadr called it the …. Original source  : Hardline Sadrists throw support behind Iraqi PM, with hopes of taking over after US leaves.

Digvijay Singh favours negotiated settlement to Ayodhya dispute

NEW DELHI – Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh said Friday that “all right-thinking people” should work for a negotiated settlement to the Ayodhya dispute in the wake of the Allahabad High Court verdict.

“Not only the government, but all right thinking people should work for a negotiated settlement, Singh said here.
Answering queries, he … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Digvijay Singh favours negotiated settlement to Ayodhya dispute.

Bouquets and brickbats for Ayodhya verdict in Pakistani press

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani newspapers had different takes Friday on the Allahabad High Court verdict on the Ayodhya issue. One held that the trifurcation of the disputed land into two parts for the Hindus and one for the Muslims seemed to be the “only tenable solution”, while another hailed it as the victory of “inflamed Hindu …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bouquets and brickbats for Ayodhya verdict in Pakistani press.

US judge asks Vatican to serve pope, 2 others with legal documents in Wisconsin abuse lawsuit

US judge asks Vatican to serve legal docs to pope

MILWAUKEE – A federal U.S. judge is asking the Vatican to cooperate in serving the pope and two other top officials with court papers stemming from decades-old allegations of priest sexual abuse in Wisconsin.
The request is an incremental step in a lawsuit that accuses the officials … Read : US judge asks Vatican to serve pope, 2 others with legal documents in Wisconsin abuse lawsuit.

Ayodhya verdict only tenable solution: Pakistani editorial

ISLAMABAD – The Allahabad High Court verdict on the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi issue trifurcating the disputed land into two parts for the Hindus and one for the Muslims seemed to be the “only tenable solution”, a leading Pakistani paper said Friday, adding it hoped the “demarcation is done amicably and fairly”.

“Perhaps …. Original article  : Ayodhya verdict only tenable solution: Pakistani editorial.

Ayodhya verdict an answer to those who doubted us, say BJP leaders

NEW DELHI – Pleased with the Ayodhya verdict, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders feel that it will help them reach out to the people with the message that the party had delivered on its issue of building a Ram temple at the place of his birth”.

Party leaders also said that the verdict opens a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

BJP will seek to benefit from Ayodhya verdict, say Congress leaders

NEW DELHI – The Ayodhya ruling would not cause political polarisation in the country but the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would seek to make political mileage from the verdict in the long run — this was the feeling among a section in the Congress party Friday, a day after the judgment.

Some party leaders …. Original article  : BJP will seek to benefit from Ayodhya verdict, say Congress leaders.

Ayodhya verdict has a message of coexistence: Jamia VC

NEW DELHI – The “underlying message” in the Ayodhya verdict is that of coexistence, because India’s Muslims and Hindus have to live together and it is time for them to start praying together, Jamia Millia University Vice Chancellor Najeeb Jung says.

“I believe the learned judges have actually presented a cocktail of their own belief …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Ayodhya verdict gets mixed review at Durban meet

DURBAN – The Ayodhya verdict was a hot topic at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-Africa (PBD-Africa) here, with a majority of the diaspora giving a thumbs up to the court ruling, while a few expressed disappointment.

KwaZulu Natal’s former sports minister A. Rajabansi told IANS that he was “very pleased” with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Ayodhya verdict gets mixed review at Durban meet.

Status quo on Ayodhya to stay, government ‘pleased’ with peace (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – A day after the Ayodhya verdict, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said Friday he was “pleased” with the “dignified” response of the people to the judgment and the government would maintain the status quo at the site. He said the court ruling didn’t justify the demolition of the Babri mosque by Hindu mobs …. Source article  : Status quo on Ayodhya to stay, government ‘pleased’ with peace (Roundup).

UAE paper praises Ayodhya verdict

Abu Dhabi, Oct 1 (IANS/WAM) Dividing the Ayodhya disputed site among litigants was the only logical way out, said a United Arab Emirates (UAE) newspaper Friday, commending the judgment by an Indian court.

“After six decades, India’s judiciary attempted to certify that the country’s secular face remains unbroken with a long-awaited ruling on the Babri … Original source on Gaea Times at : UAE paper praises Ayodhya verdict.

Ayodhya verdict evokes skeptical reactions in Karnataka

BANGALORE – Though people in Karnataka felt relieved that the much-awaited Ayodhya judgment did not trigger trouble and peace prevailed, the younger generation felt the verdict would not end the title dispute, as the losing parties would approach the Supreme Court for a prolonged legal battle.

“I dont think the case has been solved once-for-all, … Read : Ayodhya verdict evokes skeptical reactions in Karnataka.

Indian Muslims divided over Ayodhya ruling

NEW DELHI – A day after a court ruled in favour of a Ram temple at the site of the razed Babri mosque in Ayodhya, many Muslims across India were clearly unhappy. Others felt it was time to move on.

As millions went into the details of the epoch-making three-judge bench verdict from the Allahabad … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Indian Muslims divided over Ayodhya ruling.

Aides: Iraq’s prime minister gets strong boost from Shiite cleric

Aides: Iraqi Shiite cleric backs al-Maliki

BAGHDAD – Powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has agreed to support the bid by Iraq’s prime minister to retain power, aides said Friday, in a move that could speed an end to the seven-month political impasse and bring dealmaking that may give key concessions to al-Sadr’s anti-American bloc.
The decision by …. Original source  : Aides: Iraq’s prime minister gets strong boost from Shiite cleric.

Dignified response to Ayodhya verdict: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI – A day after the Allahabad High Court ruled on the Ayodhya dispute, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Friday said the government was pleased with the “dignified and respectful” response of the people to the verdict.

“Law and order throughout the country has been extremely peaceful. No incident has been reported to us,” …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Dignified response to Ayodhya verdict: Chidambaram.