PM’s intervention sought for Kashmir’s Haj pilgrims

SRINAGAR – The 6,700 pilgrims from the Kashmir Valley going for the Haj this year want Prime Minister Manmohan Singh intervenes after Saudi Airlines refused to operate from the Srinagar airport.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sought the prime minister’s intervention when he met him in the capital Monday.
Omar Abdullah wanted … Read more : PM’s intervention sought for Kashmir’s Haj pilgrims.

Ram Lalla’s ‘tailor’ stitches together a story in harmony

AYODHYA – He heads no religious group or political party but his is the voice for peace struggling to be heard. Sadiq Ali, who has been stitching clothes for the Ram Lalla deity in Ayodhya for over a decade, says he is living proof that the entire dispute has nothing to do with religion.

“I … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Ram Lalla’s ‘tailor’ stitches together a story in harmony.

President offers prayers at Golden Temple

AMRITSAR – President Pratibha Patil Wednesday arrived in this Sikh holy city and offered prayers at ‘Harmandar Sahib’, popularly known as the Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh shrines in the world.

Dressed in an ivory-coloured saree with a deep red border and her head covered, the president went around the ‘parkarma’ of the Golden …. Read the original article  : here.

Paedophile scandal like banking collapse: Catholic leader

LONDON – A Roman Catholic leader in Britain has compared the paedophile scandal involving priests with the banking collapse that led to recession worldwide.

Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols linked the behaviour of abusive priests with that of the city traders whose unrestrained lending threw the world into a financial crisis, according to the Daily … Read : Paedophile scandal like banking collapse: Catholic leader.

Santhal Durga Puja symbolises revolt against British

SULUNGA – There is no chanting of mantras or ostentatious decor, but simple prayers to the goddess. A goat sacrifice is also held to symbolise the fight against British colonial rulers. Welcome to the Durga Puja of the Santhal tribals of this village.

Santhals are not known to follow Hindu rituals, but the ones in …. Original source  : Santhal Durga Puja symbolises revolt against British.

Lawyer defending her anti-gay, anti-military church to Supreme Court a study in contradictions

Anti-gay church’s lawyer study in contradictions

TOPEKA, Kan. – In one photo, Margie Phelps has a furrowed brow and is stomping on the American flag at one of the numerous protests her fundamentalist church has held nationwide against the military, gays and the Catholic church.
Another picture reveals a different Phelps. One with a warm smile as …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Let reconciliation process on Ayodhya continue: Prasad

NEW DELHI – Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad Tuesday stressed that the Ayodhya verdict was neither a victory nor defeat for any party and said a new India of “goodwill and brotherhood” has emerged after the judgment.

Speaking at a discussion on ‘Ayodhya: the Verdict’ organised here by the Delhi BJP, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Let reconciliation process on Ayodhya continue: Prasad.

Court orders hate speech trial of Dutch anti-Islam politician to resume

Dutch politician hate speech trial to resume

AMSTERDAM – An Amsterdam court Tuesday ordered the hate speech trial of anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders to resume, rejecting his arguments that judges are biased against him.
Wilders, who is enmeshed in negotiations to help form a new conservative government in the Netherlands, faces charges of inciting hatred against Muslims.
In … Read more >>.

Ayodhya verdict: Waqf board resolves to move apex court

LUCKNOW – Virtually derailing efforts at a possible reconciliation, the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board Tuesday said it is all set to take the Ayodhya legal battle to its logical next stage – the Supreme Court.

An announcement to this effect was made by board chief Zufar Ahmad Farooqui after a meeting here.
“At …. Read the original article  : Ayodhya verdict: Waqf board resolves to move apex court.

Thousands gather to watch ‘Ram baraat’

AGRA – Thousands of people, including women and children, lined up along roadsides, on balconies and rooftops here Tuesday to catch a glimpse of the ‘Ram baraat’, a procession of caparisoned elephants, horses, colourful tableux and ‘baraatis’ for the divine marriage of Hindu god Ram and Sita.

The procession will head to Balkeshwar, on …. Original source  : Thousands gather to watch ‘Ram baraat’.

Egyptian newspaper sacks chief editor critical of government

Egyptian newspaper sacks dissident chief editor

CAIRO – A leading independent Egyptian daily has fired its chief editor, an outspoken government critic, amid what journalists are calling a state crackdown on the media ahead of parliamentary elections.
Ibrahim Eissa’s dismissal from Al-Dustour, announced in the paper Tuesday, comes as uncertainty has grown over Egypt’s political future, with …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Egyptian newspaper sacks chief editor critical of government.