Religion News – Weekly Newsletter for November 15-22, 2010

Monday, November 22, 2010

Eid brings back smiles to Kashmiri faces

SRINAGAR – Preparations for Eid-ul-Azha festival are bringing back gaiety, fervour and vibrancy in the life of Kashmiris, who have been scarred by the flare up of the separatist movement in the last five months.

Markets in the Valley thronged with shoppers Monday, as people got busy with preparations for the Muslim holy festival, to … Read more : Eid brings back smiles to Kashmiri faces.

No more yak sacrifice on Eid in Karachi

KARACHI – Sacrificing yaks on Eid has come to a stop in Pakistan’s largest city due to a theological “doubt”, a media report said Monday.

Around 30 yaks used to be brought Karachi on Eid-ul-Azha from areas as far as Skardu and Baltistan till about four years back.
Cattle Market Administrator Shahab Ali Ikram … Original source on Gaea Times at : No more yak sacrifice on Eid in Karachi.

Ayodhya verdict challenged in Supreme Court

NEW DELHI – The Allahabad High Court’s Sep 30 verdict on the Ayodhya dispute was Monday challenged by a petitiner in the Supreme Court.

The appeal was filed by Mohammad Siddiq alias Hafiz Mohammad Siddiq on behalf of 90-year-old organisation Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH). Siddiq is the general secretary of the JUH, which had taken … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Ayodhya verdict challenged in Supreme Court.

Praying in Jama Masjid and feasting on mutton – it’s Eid!

NEW DELHI – The area around Jama Masjid in Delhi’s old quarter was a sight to behold Wednesday as men of all ages, dressed in crisp white pathani suits and matching skull caps, visited the 17th century mosque to offer prayers on Eid-ul-Azha and hugged each other, saying “Eid Mubarak”!

Muslims around the capital celebrated …. Source article : Praying in Jama Masjid and feasting on mutton – it’s Eid!.

In Hyderabad, faithful throng Mir Alam Eidgah, Mecca Masjid

HYDERABAD – Over 200,000 people offered prayers at the historic Mir Alam Eidgah, making for the biggest Eid-ul-Azha congregation in Hyderabad. They were among millions of Muslims who celebrated the festival in Andhra Pradesh Wednesday.

The day began with Muslims, attired in their best, offering prayers at hundreds of mosques and Eidgahs or open grounds. … Original source on Gaea Times at : In Hyderabad, faithful throng Mir Alam Eidgah, Mecca Masjid.

Praying, feeding poor, Lucknow Muslims mark Eid-ul-Azha

LUCKNOW – Thousands of Muslims converged at mosques and prayer grounds here to offer Eid-ul-Azha prayers Wednesday morning. And then it was time for merrymaking and feeding the poor.

The biggest crowds were seen at the Aishbagh Eidgah, the biggest prayer ground in this Uttar Pradesh capital, and the Aasifi Masjid – both in the …. Source : Praying, feeding poor, Lucknow Muslims mark Eid-ul-Azha.

Thousands offer Eid prayers amid sporadic violence in Kashmir

SRINAGAR – Thousands of Muslims offered Eid-ul-Azha prayers across the Kashmir Valley Wednesday even as youth at some places clashed with the security forces, pelting stones and raising pro-freedom slogans.

Some prominent separatist leaders, including hardliners Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Shabir Ahmad Shah, were placed under house arrest by the authorities to …. Read the original article : here.

Be it Mammootty or common Muslims, Eid-ul-Azha touches all

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Malayalam superstar Mammootty wasn’t the only one who took a break from work on Eid-ul-Azha. Thousands of ordinary Muslim men and women in Kerala celebrated the festival of sacrifice with prayers and feasting Wednesday.

The biggest crowds, all dressed in their best, were seen in Muslim dominated Malappuram district besides Kozhikode, Kochi and … Read more >>>.

Celebrating Eid-ul-Azha with prayers – and a 180 kg goat!

MUMBAI – Millions of Muslims in Mumbai and others parts of Maharashtra celebrated Eid-ul-Azha with joy and religious fervour Wednesday. As people hunted for the best sacrificial goats, one that grabbed instant attention was a four-feet tall giant, weighing 180 kg!

The huge goat, which weighed nearly four times a normal goat, drew crowds at … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Celebrating Eid-ul-Azha with prayers – and a 180 kg goat!.

Muslims defer goat sacrifice to respect Hindu sentiments

PANDHARPUR – In a gesture of brotherhood with fellow Hindus, Muslims here deferred the traditional goat sacrifice on Eid-ul-Azha as the Hindu festival of Kartiki Ekadashi also fell Wednesday.

The Muslims of Pandharpur in Solapur district postponed the goat sacrifice till Friday at the behest of their community elders.
Nearly half a million …. Source article : Muslims defer goat sacrifice to respect Hindu sentiments.

Sacrifice essence of life: Message of Eid-ul-Azha (Comment)

Even as the country celebrates Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice, the significance of it is often not understood.

A sacrifice, usually taken to be the slaughtering of animals, is much more than that. A mother sacrifices her sleep for her children. A father sacrifices all his comfort for his son. The sacrifice of the animals … Read more >>>.

President, PM greet citizens on Eid

NEW DELHI – President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh greeted the nation on the ocassion of Eid-ul-Azha which will be observed Wednesday, stating that it teaches the quality of humility and charity.

In her message, Patil hoped that the festival brings all the communities and religions of India together in a celebration of …. Source article : President, PM greet citizens on Eid.

UAE charity distributes meat in 60 countries

Abu Dhabi, Nov 16 (IANS/WAM) A charity in the UAE has begun distributing sacrificial meat in 60 countries on the eve of the Eid-ul-Azha, it was announced Tuesday.

The Red Crescent Authority (RCA) in coordination with the UAE embassies abroad has launched the initiative to boost solidarity with friendly countries, especially those suffering from natural … Original source on Gaea Times at : UAE charity distributes meat in 60 countries.

Ranchi church selects first woman priest

RANCHI – Chonhen Minz, a 39-year old tribal, became the first woman to be selected as priest of North Western Gossener Evangelical Lutheran Church (NWGEL) of Ranchi, a church official said Tuesday.

“It is a great feeling to become a parish priest. This is the first time in eastern India that any woman has become … Original article on : Ranchi church selects first woman priest.

US envoy greets Muslims on Eid

NEW DELHI – The US ambassador to India Tuesday greeted Muslims on Eid, saying the festival stands for kindness, generosity and compassion.

“I extend my best wishes to Muslims in India and throughout the world on the celebration of Eid,” Timothy J. Roemer said in a statement.
“As President (Barack) Obama recently said during his …. Source : Gaea News Network.

Hajj Marks Million Pilgrims

MECCA(GaeaTimes.com)- Hajj is the annual pilgrimage of Muslims to Mecca which takes place from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of Muslim calender. Ed al Adha is one of the most auspicious religious events of Muslim Community during this time millions of Muslims flock in Mecca to ask for … Original article on : Hajj Marks Million Pilgrims.

US gives India high marks on religious freedom

WASHINGTON – The United States has given India’s United Progressive Alliance (UPA) central government high marks on religious freedom but said some state and local governments imposed limits on this freedom.

The UPA national government “generally respected, provided incentives for, and intervened to protect religious freedom,” the State Department said in its annual report on … Read more »»».

Pakistan bans collection of animal hides for charity

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan government has banned the collection of animal hides by militant and religious groups for charity on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha when Muslims sacrifice animals to fulfill a religious duty.

Eid is being celebrated in Pakistan Wednesday. The religious groups had already started advertising for the collection of hides from the …. Source : Pakistan bans collection of animal hides for charity.

Making sacrifices, feeding poor, Indian Muslims mark Eid-ul-Azha (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – If there was sporadic violence in Kashmir Valley, there was also the heartwarming gesture of Muslims in a Maharashtra town deferring the traditional goat sacrifice as a mark of respect to Hindus. As millions of Indian Muslims celebrated Eid-ul-Azha, its spirit came alive in many splendoured ways.

Be it in open grounds, [..] Read the original article: here.

Pakistan protests ill-treatment of Haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has lodged an official protest with Saudi Arabia after receiving reports of ill-treatment of thousands of Haj pilgrims from the country and sought a hefty compensation in this regard.

Hamid Saeed Kazmi, the federal minister for religious affairs, had to rush to Saudi Arabia a couple of days ago after he heard …. Read the original article : Pakistan protests ill-treatment of Haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

PM greets nation on Guru Nanak Jayanti

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday greeted the nation on the occasion of the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion.

In his message, Singh said Guru Nanaks life and message of brotherhood and equality of man remain relevant even today. By following his teachings, the world can overcome differences …. Read the original article : here.

Obama lauds Sikh Americans’ many contributions

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama has lauded the “many contributions that Sikh Americans have made” in a message of “best wishes” to Sikhs on the birth anniversary Guru Nanak, the founder of the religion.

It is “an opportunity to recognize the many contributions that Sikh Americans have made to our nation, and to reflect …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Obama lauds Sikh Americans’ many contributions.

Europe’s largest Buddhist centre to be built in Germany

BERLIN – Europe’s largest Buddhist centre has got the go-ahead for a site at a former military complex outside Cologne, it was confirmed Friday.

The complex will house 60-80 monks plus up to 200 guests.
There are already 20 Buddhist monks and nuns living on the site in Waldbroel, 50 km east of Cologne.
The … Read : Europe’s largest Buddhist centre to be built in Germany.

4,000 Sikhs reach Pakistan for Nanak’s birth anniversary

ISLAMABAD – Over 4,000 Sikh pilgrims reached Pakistan by special trains through the Wagah border Friday to attend the 541st birth anniversary celebrations Nov 21 of Guru Nanak, the first guru of Sikhism, at hi birthplace

Tight security arrangements were made at the Wagah border near Lahore as the visiting pilgrims went through the customs … Read : 4,000 Sikhs reach Pakistan for Nanak’s birth anniversary.

Guru Nanak’s Birthday Being Celebrated Today

NEW DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com) The auspicious occasion of Guru Nanak’s birthday or Guru Nanak Jayanti is being celebrated all over the nation in high spirits. This year in 2010, it marks the Sikh guru’s 541 birthday.
On the eve of this holy event, the country got the wishes of the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Guru Nanak’s Birthday Being Celebrated Today.

Pope says condoms permissible in some situations

ROME – Condom use is acceptable in certain situations, according to Pope Benedict XVI in statements made in a new book, excerpts of which were printed Saturday in Italy’s Osservatore Romano daily.

The pope cited the example of prostitutes who use condoms as a first step toward claiming responsibility for their lives, in statements cited … Read : Pope says condoms permissible in some situations.

UAE charity gives out sacrificial meat in 42 countries

Sharjah, Nov 20 (IANS/WAM) A charity in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) gave out Eid-ul-Azha sacrificial meat to 48,000 underprivileged families in 42 countries, an official said.

The Sharjah Charity Association (SCA) distributed the meat in coordination with UAE embassies and humanitarian organisations across the world, SCA board member Mohammed Al-Razzi said.
The meat was …. Original article : UAE charity gives out sacrificial meat in 42 countries.