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Daddy, why did we got to war with Iraq?.
A contribution from an anonymous source, but a simplistic view of recent world events. Why don't we all ask questions? Maybe, we do...
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Double Standards.
This article has been extracted from an email received by the webmaster. It does make us think (again!) about the role of media and our own strength
in standing up for our beliefs...
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Stop The Hatred.
I sit staring at a black television screen, stunned to silence. It’s so quiet in the room yet my ears are echoing with the sounds I’ve just heard. My body is slouched and I can’t do anything but take a deep breath and compose myself. I have just watched the most haunting and touching visuals I have ever seen...
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Diwáli: 4 Nov 2002.
A brief account (story, customs, significance) of the Hindu festivals of Diwáli and New Year, celebrated in October or November.
With illustrations.
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Hindu festival of Durgashtmi follows the nine days of Navratri...
On 14 Oct this year (2002), Hindus celebrate the festival of Durgáshtami, the worship of Goddess Dúrga. From 7 to 15 October they celebrate Navarátri, the Nine-Day-Festival, during which the great battles of the
Goddess against the forces of evil are commemorated. Ashutósh Várdhana, a Hindu writer who lives in England, explains what the festival means to Hindus.
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Remembering the Sep 2001 events...
in Blackburn which has a 20% muslim population.
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Janmashtmi - The Birth of Lord Krishna
On 31 August this year (2002), Hindus celebrate the festival of Kríshna Janmáshtami, the birth of Lord Kríshna. Ashutósh Várdhana explains the significance of this festival.
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Raksha Bandhan.
A festival which serves to cement family relations and to honour women is Ráksha Bándhan, the festival for brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shrávana, which was 22 August this year. On this day brothers visit their sisters to bring them presents, which may be of material value or merely symbolic.
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On 14 Feb 2002, a delegation of the British Stop the War Coalition called on the High Commissions of India and of Pakistan to hand in a petition urging the two governments to resolve their problems by peaceful means. The delegation contained Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Westerners, and the petition was signed by about 400 members of all communities.
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America does not need to be controlled by the laws of the world.
It has been argued that the USA need not be subject to the newly established International Criminal Court because it is a democracy and democracies do not commit war crimes. Klaus Bung looks at this fond belief from a historical perspective.
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Diwali
On 14 November 2001, Hindus all over the world celebrate the festival of Diwali, the festival of lights. It is not only one of the most popular Hindu festivals but also one of the few that non-Hindus are aware of. Ashutosh Vardhana, a writer living in England, puts the ancient festival into a topical context.
- Hijack of the Iftar
This article contrasts the genuine iftar of a Muslim family with the for-show-only iftar laid on by President Bush for 50 Muslim embassadors. Iftar is the name for the modest meal which Muslim families take when breaking their dawn-to-dusk fast during the holy month of Ramadan. It is not a dinner party or an occasion like Christmas dinner. Ashutósh Várdhana, a non-Muslim writer living in Yorkshire, England, who has for many years enjoyed the close friendship of Muslim families, describes his very personal iftar experiences during the first two days of Ramadan. He concludes with a sideways look at the iftar charade put on at the White House for the benefit of the media.
- These Evil Cowards,
or: I love America
Society has to defend itself against terrorists and to punish them. However, by calling them 'evil' we concede that we do not understand them and are not willing to consider the causes of their actions. Calling them cowards is often plain silly. Western belief in the superiority of its civilisation matched with Muslim belief in the superiority of its secular and religious values, must lead to contempt. Contempt breeds hatred, hatred breeds violence, in both directions. We must stop calling our enemies evil and try to understand them if we want to stop the cycle of violence.
- September 11th, 2001 - A date that will be difficult to forget for all those who were around in this
world on that day.
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