International

Israel Lets Gazans Leave for Hajj

December 16, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7146932.stm

Almost 500 Palestinians have been allowed to leave the Gaza Strip to make the Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, Israel has confirmed.

The Palestinians left Gaza on Sunday by the Erez checkpoint, controlled by Israel and usually closed to civilians.

The 491 pilgrims were taken by bus to the West Bank, before...

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Monks Rap, Strut in Effort to Re-Energize Buddhism

December 16, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Japan Times

Wire Service: AP

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20071216a5.html

Japanese monks and nuns held a fashion show — replete with rap music and a catwalk — at a major temple in Tokyo on Saturday to promote Buddhism.

In the Tokyo Bouz (monk) Collection held at Tsukiji Honganji, nearly 40 monks and nuns from eight major Buddhist sects joined in...

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Philippines Muslim Factions Agree to Unity Talks: Government

December 15, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: AFP

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g2Oi-Ob0CLt8m7615e0Hwgl7O5pw

Rival Muslim factions in the Philippines have agreed to open unity talks on the urging of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi's eldest son, the government said Saturday.

Manila's peace negotiator said Saif Al-Islam Al-Kadhafi raised the need for unity between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the breakaway separatist Moro...

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RM10m (US$ 3 mil) Building for Kedah Buddhist Association

December 14, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Buddhist Channel/The Star

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=56,5587,0,0,1,0

Work on a new Kedah Buddhist Association building near Alor Star, Kedah, costing about RM10mil will start early next year.

Kedah Buddhist Association secretary Ong Jin Peng said that they had already got the approval from the Alor Star City Council for the new building. “We got the approval in September 2003 to...

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Too Much Christmas in Kindergarten Class, says Jewish Mom

December 13, 2007

Author: Sandra McCulloch

Source: The Province/CanWest News Service/Times

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=0a816b38-a8b8-498d-a6e6-aa22df18d76a

A Shawnigan Lake mother has pulled her five-year-old boy from his kindergarten class at École Mill Bay because she says Christmas has gone beyond the annual concert and is saturating his lessons.

Mary Anne Watson's family is Jewish and doesn'...

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'Witches' Face Fine in Tajikistan

December 13, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7141658.stm

The lower house of parliament in Tajikistan has endorsed a bill to try to tackle what it describes as fortune-telling and witchcraft.

Those found engaging in superstitious activities could be fined $200 (£98).

Belief in the occult is widespread in many former Soviet societies. The Tajik authorities say those claiming occult powers are...

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Bravery of Interfaith Leaders Gives Abducted Chance at Life

December 13, 2007

Author: Judy Gerstel

Source: The Star

http://www.thestar.com/living/article/284939

Every year Father John Fraser, the Canadian Catholic priest whose family in Toronto's Beach help to support his mission and his radio station in Uganda, organizes a Christmas party for the Aboke girls.

At the party are the 16 girls who returned to the Aboke convent school after years in sexual slavery. Also in attendance are some of the more than 100 others also...

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RSPCA 'Secretly' Killed Cow at Hindu Temple

December 13, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Times of India

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3047068.ece

A cow kept at a Hindu temple once owned by former Beatle George Harrison was secretly killed by the RSPCA today, Hindu groups have claimed.

Gauri Das, leader of the Hindu Community at Bhaktivedanta Manor temple in Hertfordshire, said that the cow was given a lethal injection this morning while worshippers were at...

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HAF Urges Immediate Release of HINDRAF Leaders Arrested under Internal Security Act

December 13, 2007

Author: Press Release

Source: Hindu American Foudnation

http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_malaysia_arrests.htm

Several human rights activists at the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) raised alarm today over what they described as the continued heavy-handed and authoritarian actions of the Malaysian government in dealing with the leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF).

According...

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