SourceSINGAPORE, June 10, 2003: After six months of intense debate over its exact wording, leaders of religious groups here have worked out a declaration on religious harmony that all parties are comfortable with. The groups plan to hold activities to recite and teach the declaration to their congregations during the week of Racial Harmony Day, beginning July 21. Representatives of…
SourceTOKYO, JAPAN, June 3, 2003: What do the Japanese do when their nation’s economic slide throws more people out of work and cuts into their savings? They go in for a hug from none other than Kerala’s Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, who is on the Japanese leg of her world tour. For the Japanese, a hug from the holy woman is…
SourceSAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, June 4, 2003: Pausing a few minutes to say a prayer of gratitude and upliftment before partaking of a meal is a tradition followed by over 64% of homes in America. During this time of reflection, families are brought closer and grounded. Mark Jurgensmeyer, professor of sociology and religious studies and director of Global and International Studies…
SourceSINGAPORE, June 6, 2003: A Temple accommodating the worship of four faiths in Singapore may soon have to vacate its 1,400 square meter site by the beach. From humble beginnings twenty years ago, the Loyang Tua Pek Kong temple has become a very popular place of worship. The temple’s lease runs out at the end of June and the temple…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, June 7, 2003: Popular South Indian Actor Kamal Hasan has vowed that he will never again be seen smoking in any of his future films. This prompted a leading cancer surgeon to appeal to other stars, particularly Mr. Hasan’s peer, Rajnikanth, to follow suit. Speaking at a function organized by WHO on “Tobacco-free films and fashion” Mr. Hasan…
SourceSRINAGAR, INDIA, May 21, 2003: A nun from West Bengal was killed when Muslim terrorists attacked a Christian school in Anantnag, the first such incident in Kashmir. Sister Kamlesh died when a grenade exploded near the main entrance of the Saint Lukas Convent School in Nai Basti in Anantnag town, 50 km from Srinagar. Sister Mary, another teacher who also…
Press Trust of IndiaPARAMARIBO, SURINAM, June 9, 2003: The World Hindi Conference was in an uproar Monday, PTI of India reported, when some believed efforts were made to project Hindu culture as Indian culture. Opponents alleged that it was an attempt to “saffronize” the conference. The uproar began when the chairman of the session, Dharmpal Maini, one of the ten…
SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, June 10, 2003: A serious controversy has erupted following the release of a report by the House of Lords Select Committee on Religious Offenses. The committee was asked to decide whether the present law on religious offenses, that, according to yesterday’s HPI, guarantees protection to only the Church of England, should be extended to protect all religious faiths…
Hindustan TimesNEW DELHI, INDIA, June 7, 2003: A survey of people’s attitudes from around the world has shown Indians were the most nationalistic. The latest survey of the US-based Pew Global Attitudes Project (http://people-press.org/), “Views of a Changing World,” asked people of 44 countries about the superiority of their culture, their wariness regarding foreign influence on their way of life,…
Columbus Dispatch (Ohio)COLUMBUS, OHIO, June 6, 2003: At times Dr. Raj Tripathi seems as much a fixture at Powell’s Hindu temple as are the majestic statues that give the building its identity. And yet he is at or near the Bharatiya Temple only part of the week. The rest of the time, he’s 90 miles to the east, working as…