Reconciliation (Mantra): This is what the Dalai Lama has to say for 2009

Dalai Lama: "In today's highly interdependent world, individuals and nations can no longer resolve many of their problems by themselves. We need one another. We must therefore develop a sense of universal responsibility... It is our collective and individual responsibility to protect and nurture the global family, to support its weak members, and to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live." quoted @ Invitation to the United Nations' International Year of Reconciliation 2009

On the Web you will find a version that states: "Dalai Lama has to say for each year..."


Information courtesy: Jay Bee. Thank You.

See also Waht The Dalai Lama has to say for year 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Interesting poll, posted Nov 2008 (now open for you to join).

The Muslim Jesus: Mary in Islam

"If Humza and Maryam Javed Ismail had their way, they would ride by the big display of Christmas lights every day on Yeatmans Station Road that’s near their Landenberg, Pa., home.
The lights remind the children, who are 11 and 9, about the importance of Jesus and Mary in Islam."
“We believe in the goodness and purity of Mary,” says their mother, Dr. Sheerin Javed. “And sometimes we talk about this — that Jesus is a special prophet for Muslims so it makes us feel good to see him honored this time of year.” continue reading: The Muslim Jesus: Mary in Islam Posted on December 25, 2008 by Moin Ansari

DECEMBER FESTIVALS (2008)

Info courtesy: www.FoundationforPluralism.com:

Eid-al-Adha, Hanukkah, Khushali, Pancha Ganapati, Winter Solstice, Christmas and Kwanza

Once we're dead, let's talk

Vinay Menon Toronto Star
We're supposed to look our best ... even when we're dead?
I just finished reading a rather morbid story on msnbc.com titled, "Final Touch: A Cosmetic Lift for Your Funeral." And now I'm tempted to bleach my teeth, get laser eye surgery and do 1,000 abdominal crunches.
You know, just in case I expire tomorrow. continue reading

see also on the same shelf:

• 1st computerised Muslim graveyard in the making
• Death and Dying - Multifaith Resource Series no.1
  

Stitched together ~~ India's Composite Culture Revsited

Pradeep Magazine
December 16, 2008, Hindustan Times

"Among the many responses to the gruesome killings in Mumbai has been that of Muslims wearing black bands on Eid-ul-Adha. The act symbolised protest, pain and complete rejection of the killers.
But do Muslims need to go out of their way to proclaim to the world that the community does not endorse terrorism and are as angry and disgusted with what is happening as other communities in India? To have worn black bands on Eid was a touching gesture, akin to, say, Hindus doing the same on Diwali. But somehow, as a Hindu, I am disturbed to find my close friends having to wear bands to show their solidarity with the rest of India.

... But as an Indian I feel embarrassed to find one community having to wear ‘India’ on their sleeves, when we have all expressed our solidarity to fight this war together. I would feel humiliated if a day comes when, as a Hindu, I will have to wear black bands to proclaim to the world that I have nothing to do with Hindu surnames involved in acts of terror.
To my Muslim friends, all I can say is thanks for doing what you have done. But please don’t do it again. We are together in this fight against terror and for justice. " read full article

NB. Info courtesy: Ammar Ahtisham Ashraf

Hindu-Christian wedlock invalid & Avoid cow slaughter, Today's headlines in India

Avoid cow slaughter on Eid-ul-Azha: Deoband to Muslims

"Leading Islamic seminary Dar-ul-Uloom has suggested to Muslims in the country that they avoid slaughtering cows on Eid-ul-Azha as a mark of respect to the religious beliefs of Hindus." Continue reading

Marriage between a Hindu and non-Hindu under Hindu Marriage Act not valid: High Court, Dec 31, 2010

Hindu-Christian wedlock invalid under Hindu Marriage Act
"Marriage between a Hindu and a Christian is invalid under the Hindu Marriage Act, as the Act provides for only Hindu couples to enter into a wedlock, the Supreme Court has ruled." continue reading

See also books @ Amazon on Hindu Marriage Act:

Libraries offer solace in hard times

Sunday, November 30, 2008
Last updated: Sunday November 30, 2008, BY DENISA R. SUPERVILLE STAFF WRITER

PATERSON — Before heading to his job at a carpet company in Hackensack, Jorge Maradiegue stopped by the main library on Broadway to check out three DVDs and browse the Internet from his personal laptop.
"You know how much this [costs] to rent at Blockbuster?" Maradiegue asked, motioning to copies of "The Bourne Identity," "Las Mejores Canciones Del Mundo" and "Da Vinci Code" he had borrowed. "It's more than $4 [each]. That's a lot of money.
As consumers continue to look for ways to save money in a slow economy, more and more are heading to the local public library.
People who otherwise would have gone to Barnes & Noble to buy the latest thriller or to Blockbuster to rent a new release are now giving the public libraries a second look, library directors across Passaic County say.

...They are finding that the library is not just a place to get books. Some libraries now allow users to download entire movies online, something that was unavailable until recently, they said. Others offer yoga classes.
But if the downturn continues, libraries could see their funding decease while having to serve more people.
"If the economy is down and the tax base continues to dwindle, and you have to share services for the dwindling pie of funds, it's not a pretty picture," said Alire of the American Library Association. "We are all affected by the bad economy."... continue reading

Info courtesy: Gail Zimmer