Religion News – Newsletter for December 18, 2010

US cable praises India’s secular society

NEW DELHI/LONDON – A diplomatic cable sent by the US embassy here to Washington says America can learn a lot from the Indians’ tolerance for all faiths, according to whistleblowing website WikiLeaks.

An April 2006 cable posted in The Guardian newspaper said that in the Indian context, secularism was synonymous with tolerance for all faiths, …. Source article  : US cable praises India’s secular society.

Hindu terrorism phrase coined by vested interests: VHP

PANAJI – Hindu or saffron terrorism was a “figment of imagination” and a phrase coined by vested interests who were working against the nation, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said here Friday.

VHP’s all-India vice president Ashok Chowgule said the parishad will discuss the issue of ’saffron terrorism’ at its international conference in Goa … Original source on Gaea Times at : Hindu terrorism phrase coined by vested interests: VHP.

Vatican condemns China’s interference in church affairs

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican Friday condemned a unilateral gathering earlier this month of China’s state-supervised Catholic church – saying bishops and priests had been forced to attend.

The Vatican’s protest, contained in an eight-point statement, is the latest salvo in a growing rift with Beijing, one that appears to reverse an improvement in relations [..] Read the original article: here.

Peaceful Moharrum in Mumbai

MUMBAI – Muslims Friday peacefully observed Yaum-e-Ashoora, the 10th day of the Muslim month of Moharrum, remembering the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, and his followers in the battle of Karbala about 1,400 years ago.

While Shia Muslims observed the day Thursday, Sunnis observed it Friday by fasting. The city also …. Original article  : Peaceful Moharrum in Mumbai.

Thousands join Muharram processions across Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR – Muharram processions were taken out peacefully in many parts of the Kashmir Valley Friday except for the main procession which couldn’t be taken out due to the imposition of curfew in Srinagar.

Thousands joined the processions at different places to pay rich tributes to the grandson of the Prophet and commemorate his … Read more >>.

Yaum-e-Ashoora observed in Hyderabad with procession

HYDERABAD – Muslims Friday observed Yaum-e-Ashoora or the 10th day of the Muslim month of Moharrum remembering the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, and his followers in the battle of Karbala about 1,400 years ago.

While Shia Muslims in this historic city observed the day by taking out the traditional ‘tazia’ … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Yaum-e-Ashoora observed in Hyderabad with procession.