The Myanmar government doesn’t deny its involvement in the slaughter of Rohingya Muslims, so it is accepting responsibility and cocking a snoot at Muslims. But why Bangladesh government should act like Myanmar .

As an Islamic country, the Bangladeshi government must bring to book the criminals behind such outrageous act. It’s high time they should refrain from blaming this atrocity on ‘international conspiracy. Instead of being seen in contempt and complicity Bangladesh government should track down the scoundrels behind the attack and set an example of living in peaceful co existence.

How long such action and reaction of minority persecution will go on in South Asia ? Each of us in fact is a minority in one sense or other, if we just try scratching our identities.

The best example to site could be that of Babu Bajragi, the man who orchestrated the orgy of communal violence against Muslims in Ahmedabad. He is found to be complaining that while serving life imprisonment in jail, he finds himself as a minority surrounded by the Muslims inmates as a majority.

In fact if reports are to be believed on one occasion Bajragi was even thrashed inside the prison. What more ironical story could be better than this, when we compare the demon of a person letting loose the trail of blood and mayhem against the minority Muslim during the post Godhra riots. At that time he always thought he belongs to majority community and can get away doing whatever crime against the minority.

Anyway coming back to the point, such senseless act of persecuting the minorities is going on for long in South Asia . There seem to be no remedy in sight, no one knows, when such mindless retributions is going to stop and each group would live in peace and harmony.

It is high time some concrete plan of action has to be made to address this issue. I have always been arguing that the religious, the ethnic, the linguistic minorities in south Asia can only be safe, under the umbrella of South Asian Federation.

If there are any takers of this idea let us take it forward and make South Asia a better place to live.

AUTHOR: Mujtaba Syed
URL: http://mujtabas-musings.blogspot.com
E-MAIL: syedalimujtaba [at] yahoo.com

Students attend the launching of a book on Climate Change for Secondary Schools in Tanzania

Servants of God through their network of Faith Based Organizations, the Inter-Religious Council for Peace Tanzania (IRCPT), have resolved to find a common ground in matters of Climate Change.

Behind this initiative was the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), which has sponsored not only the conference that took place at Kebby’s Hotel in Mwenge on Thursday last week, but also has sponsored similar gatherings on the subject and the publication of two books in the topic.

During the opening session Stephen Reith the Resident Director of KAS said that religious leaders are closer to their congregations which make it easier to disseminate the message on Climate Change.

“We are proud that through KAS now clerics can deal with the subject more confidently, the IRCPT have brought people from different religious affiliation even more closely,” remarked Rev Sistus Mallya from the Pentecostal Churches of Tanzania (PCT).

Eelier KAS sponsored the publication of a book on Climate Change for secondary schools and the second one was this for the Faith Based Organizations.

The conference not only expanded knowledge to the servants of God, but also it proved that serious pertinent issues could replace divisive sentiments which are always calculated to work for a certain political agenda.

During the conference it was decided that there was a need to prepare a special curriculum that will be used to disseminate knowledge on Climate Change by the clerics to their congregations.

Six people were appointed to determine what should appear in the curriculum and they represented the different religious sects namely Baahai, Muslims, and Christians.

Representative of the Roman Catholic Church Fr Benedict Shemfumbwa who represented the Tanzania Episcopal Council (TEC), said his church has deiced to’ walk the talk’ by embarking on a major tree planting scheme.

We have started by planting trees at Segera Senior Seminary because all priests must undergo training through such an institution which means many people will benefit from this education,” he commented.

Sheikh Ali Saidi Mosse from the Ahmadiya-Tanzania Islamic wing said that there was a need to standardize the curriculum of the education that will be provided to Christians and Muslims because in essence they do share goals on this topic.

A senior official from the KAS Mr Erasto Ndeuka warned that there must be a balance between planting of trees for Climate Change purpose and the cultivation of food crops.

Coincidently Tanzanian journalists, policy makers and researchers obtained week long training in Climate Change at White Sands Hotel in Dar es Salaam, starting from Sunday last week.

The training was convened by FANRPLAN in collaboration with the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), and it brought together farmers, the private sector, experts in agriculture and policy makers and journalists across the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

Standing for Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network, it has conducted training for various groups from inside and outside Tanzania meeting to share matters of mutual concern on this matter.

Before attending the training scribers underwent one day training from Mr Ben Rootman from South Africa who coached them on getting the right angles of the stories to be covered.

In cooperation with Mr Martin van Niekerk also from South Africa, they exposed journalists to the various strategies to communicate messages in Climate Change through print, electronic, online, and social media.

Introducing the subject matter to journalists the Chief Executive Officer and Head of Mission Dr Lindiwe Majele Sibanda said that it was important that scientists, journalists and other experts work together in order to attain food security.

An expert in food and bio-fuels Dr Wyanand van Walt said that there were many benefits of biofules all there one cannot deny the requirement of large portions of land.

Expertise in Climate Change started with Dr Amy Sullivan who discussed on how strategies to adapt Climate Change and agriculture must be balanced so that people gets to know how they can mitigate and adapt for the same.

“It is important to acknowledge the fact there are many associated factors to the extent that all must be given due consideration, otherwise the communities might end up in unending conflicts,” she commented.

Dr Sullivan said that the subject entails the components of resource management, but also taking into consideration protection of water sources and food production for the communities.

Moreover journalists and other attendants in the workshop were exposed to various methods targeted at Strengthening Evidence-Based Climate Change Adaptation (SECCAP). The discussion was based on the Limpompo Basin as a case study.

Mr Kudzai Ndizadzano discussed the potential threats and resources variations caused by Climate Change including HIV/Aids spread due to demographic shifts as well as possible conflicts due to the fight for resources.

For his part Nkulumo Zinyengere warned that it was important to analyze a combination of facts like which kind of crops are more applicable, and the kind of fertilizers to be used when the land become warmer and warmer.

AUTHOR: Elias Mhegera
URL: http://mhegeraelias.blogspot.com
E-MAIL: mhegeraelias [at] yahoo.com

Close to 25 self-avowed Christians were arrested and charged with breach of the peace and unlawful assembly for kneeling and praying in front of the taxpayer-funded White House.

On Saturday, members of the group knelt on the sidewalk in prayer and were arrested by Capitol Police. The Christian group says that despite police arrests their public prayer demonstration will be conducted through Oct. 2, 2012.

A non-denominational Christian group known as ActsFive29, who consider themselves protectors of unborn babies, had organized the prayer vigil knowing that they could be arrested by the pro-abortion administration, but they believe the current occupant of the White House is pursuing an anti-Christian agenda and that religious freedom in America is in jeopardy.

This latest Christian incident was ignored by the news media as was pop superstar Madonna’s urging Americans to vote for the “Black Muslim in the White House.” Also, the White House web site contains a separate section for Muslim members of the administration, but no section on Christians and Jews.

“Today our arrests will be voluntary, a living witness to the church and to the government — tomorrow arrest may be the only option if we are unwilling to pay to have someone’s child murdered,” states the group’s web site.

The group uses the New Testament verse Acts 5:29, “But Peter and the Apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men,’” as their motto in their spiritual battle against the Obama administration’s Health and Human Services Obamacare mandate requiring employer-provided health insurance to cover birth control measures and pregnancy terminations.

“These Christians may be on to something that the Republican Party candidate for President fails to address: Obama said over and over again that Obamacare would not mandate taxpayer funded abortions or force private entities to pay for the killing of unborn babies. As usual, Obama lied,” said political strategist Michael Baker.

The group claims that the reason given for their arrests is that the sidewalk in front of the White House is a “restricted zone” for free speech.

A young person paused on the curb and said, “I’m here for my civil rights. It is not okay for the government to tell me what to say, what to buy, and it is definitely not right for them to tell me what faith to be, or how to practice it.”

Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life said, “We have stood up for life and religious freedom in hundreds of cities. Today we do so at the president’s house. I am delighted to be here.”

“These weeks lead up to the most important election of our lifetime, an election that will decide the fate of countless unborn children, and the status of religious liberty in America,” said the activist priest.

Rev. Pavone’s group is supported by Dr. Alveda King, niece of civil-rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who is very outspoken about conservative issues within the African American community.

AUTHOR: Jim Kouri
URL: http://www.renewamerica.com/
E-MAIL: COPmagazine [at] aol.com

According to bdnews24, on 30th September 2012, seven Buddhist Viharas, around 30 houses and shops were torched in the attacks that started at 11:30pm and lasted until around 4am on 1st of October. More than a hundred houses and shops were also reportedly attacked, vandalized and looted.

My sources inside Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) shared sensational inside story and background of the per-planned attack on the Buddhists in Cox’s Bazaar’s Ramu Upazila.

The whole attack was engineered by special unit of Indian Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) in coordination with DGFI.

A special team of monitoring the social media in the DGFI and R&AW were closely monitoring the social media to monitor the ongoing protest on anti Islam film in different parts of Bangladesh on social media.

The government was facing challenge to tackle the protest on anti Islam movie in different parts of the country
The social media monitor team within the intelligence agency noticed that different people were tagged different photos related anti Islam movie and defaming Holy Quran , Uttam Barua was tagged in the photo from a Facebook ID called ‘Insult Allah’.

The special units of R&AW consult with concern people in prime minister’s office ask to run special operation named “Operation Tango”.

The main aim of operation tango was to spread the violence in hill district, specifically on the Buddhist and Hindu minorities.

Selected officials were called immediately from different detachments of DGFI that includes Coxs’ Bazar, Khagrachari, Rangamati, Bandarban and Chittagong.

They were briefed, how to implement the operation tango. They special team of army commando were send to vandalized a village of Buddhists in Cox’s Bazaar’s Ramu Upazila early on 30th September 2012.

Cox’s Bazaar district’s Superintendent of Police Selim Mohammed Jahangir was informed earlier by the tango team to remain silent while tango team run the operation and police were on high alert that tango team can successfully end the operation.

Special units of R&AW informed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier that operation tango will help to get the sympathy of minorities.

They also briefed that minorities are your vote bank, before election this attack will benefit you in all ways
They also briefed BNP had embraced the government over Rohingya Muslims issue and it’s a proper time to use the situation while the opposition is protesting over anti islam movie.

The tango team had suggested spreading attacks on minorities in different minority populated areas all over the country and that will continue one after another.

A team of media professionals were briefed earlier to run continuous news propaganda naming the violence as an effort to Islamize the hill area and the opposition parties specifically BNP is behind the communal attack.

While the ruling government is playing dirty game on the life of minorities with the Indian intelligence R&AW , minorities are paying a high cost.

AUTHOR: William Nicholas Gomes
URL: www.williamgomes.org
E-MAIL: williamgomes.org [at] gmail.com

Dr Dorcas Otieno, the Executive Director, Kenya Organization of Environmental Education (KOEE) said in the sidelines of the ongoing meeting of the Alliance of Religions and Conservation in Nairobi, Kenya that the toolkit recognises that Faiths are managing the youth who represents the future of any society.

Dr Otieno said the toolkit is about sustainable development which espouses values that include a call for respect for the environment, equality in sharing the natural resources and environmental care.

She said these values appeared common and cross cutting through religious groups which included, the Catholic, the Protestant churches, Muslims, and Hindu at meetings held between the KOEE and the Faiths in the recent past.

Dr Otieno said the faiths recognise that the challenges of water, sanitation, and health, agriculture and waste management in the era of climate change need active participation of the Faith to be solved.

She said the toolkit aims to address these issues through empowering the youth and children in Schools and colleges managed by the faiths.
Already, she said, teachers have been identified from 35 schools across the country and trained on how to implement the toolkit.

The teachers have already formed eco-schools that emphasize hands on experience. Out of these, nine schools are already running pilot projects that implement the toolkit with clear demonstration of conservation with religious values.

Dr Otieno said environment care is proving to be one route through which many faiths and religious groups can be united.

Already churches like the Methodist Church in Kenya with three million members, a university, major hospital and 533 schools, has drawn up its own long-term environmental plan. It has commuted to set up an Intensive Agricultural Training Centre to train in environmentally friendly and sustainable farming techniques, and will also organize creation awareness courses in schools and on radio programmes.

“The initiative to draw an environmental policy for our church was born following a conference with ARC in 2011 in Nairobi,” said presiding bishop of the Methodist Church in Kenya Rev Fr Stephen Kanyaru M’Impwii.

ARC’s head of Africa projects Alison Hilliard said it was inspiring to see all the extraordinary work being done by faiths in Africa. “I have been working on these programmes for many years, and I am constantly surprised and moved by the creative and energetic responses from faiths. Each plan is different, according to what the faith can do, and sees is important. I look forward, many years into the future, to seeing the fruits of these extraordinary initiatives being launched today.”

The programme emphasised the centrality in all faiths of thanksgiving and celebration for creation; it included singing and a chanted poem from the choir of All Saints Cathedral Primary School and the girl’s choir from the Muslim Academy, Nairobi.

AUTHOR: Henry Neondo
URL: http:// www.africasciencenews.org
E-MAIL: neondohenry [at] yahoo.com

“In response I felt convicted that Gods’ call is for us to be caring over all that he has given us according to his wisdom and that our failure (sin) has lead to destruction, poverty and death of many. We therefore, as God’s children, must arise to our God-given responsibilities.”

Further north, the Ugandan Muslim Youth Assembly has concentrated on forest and tree planting, with 50,000 trees planted in the past two years, and more than 700,000 trees planned for the next two.

Immam Ibban Iddih Kasozi explained that people are cutting down trees for construction, furniture, and fuel: “Wood is the biggest fuel source in Uganda,” he said. “The only way of ensuring there is wood for the next generations is to do this programme.”

“Our community believes in community work. All is jama, all is congregation: we believe that everything that we do is a prayer: this is why we have undertaken this plan.”

Elimringi Abraham Maringo from the Northern Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania said a whole generation had grown up never planting a tree and they were the ones cutting the trees down. That is why all faith groups should engage young people in nurturing the care of trees so that this generation loves trees and sees them as their responsibility. The church plans to plant 8.5 million trees.

In Kenya, SUPKEM, an umbrella body of all Muslim organsiations, societies, mosque committees and groups with around six and a half million members across Kenya in over 4 thousand groups committed itself to launch a long-term programme of training for sheikhs, imams and madrasa teachers on the importance of environmental conservation from an Islamic perspective. It commits to getting that message out through local religious FM stations and through Friday prayers and through schools.

It will promote widespread tree planting activities, as tree planting is one of the greatest virtues in Islam- and start work on an educational kit on environmental conservation for use in madrassas.

A similar body in Nigeria, Qadiriyyah Movement, with an estimated 15 million followers, 1500 full time imams and it runs 118 primary schools, 34 secondary schools, two theological colleges and has 8000 mosques committed to develop tree nurseries to supply the schools with seedlings.

At the schools to grow food organically for sale through kiosks in Kano city.

To organise weekly collections of the polythene water bags with up to 120,000 children every week collecting 100 each. These will be recycled or used as tree sapling bags.

To Green the Kano pilgrimage which brings up to 4 million pilgrims to the city and is a commitment as part of the Green Pilgrimage Network launched last year by ARC.

Not to be left behind is the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church with 43.5 million followers in 70,000 parish churches with 6.5 million children in Sunday Schools and 3000 monasteries.

45% of parish churches have forests and 75% of its monasteries are surrounded by faith protected forests. The church and monastery has traditionally been centres for protection of indigenous biodiversity as well as the centre for faith based respect for nature.

Their commitments include creating a full inventory of Church owned forests and developing a protection and management plan for them all.

Create within each monastery a centre for improved technology and skills for sustainable land management.

Install biogas digesters within all monasteries.

In Southern Africa, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa with 10 million believers and around 1000 clergy with 5000 parishes and mission centres in 53 countries committed to establish a new Environmental Centre in Johannesburg as the Church’s main training centre.

All churches will keep September 1 a day of prayer and action on the environment.

The Church will also advocate that no industrial products are brought to Africa and no waste discarded here if the country of origin would not itself accept such products or waste.

The Bhumi Africa, of the Hindu Council of Africa based in Nairobi, Kenya committed to conduct green audits on their buildings and land to be followed by environmental certification which will guide the Hindu community in creating environmentally buildings, manage the environment well and achieve sustainable development.

There are 1.7 million Hindus in Africa with 35,000 in Nairobi itself making up 1% of the city’s population. Between them they have set up 27 temples, 40 social, cultural and sports facilities, 22 schools, 9 medical facilities and 10 written and radio media outlets.

Hindu festivals add colour to our heritage and lives. However celebrating some of these festivals significantly contributes to pollution and waste. As part of their commitment Hindu communities will be encouraged and assisted to green these events by greatly reducing waste and pollution.

They will also phase out the use of plastic bags by introducing Bhumi bags, durable bags made from hemp to be promoted by Hindu temples, schools and shops.

AUTHOR: Henry Neondo
URL: http:// www.africasciencenews.org
E-MAIL: neondohenry [at] yahoo.com

There is the question of what the US authorities would do under the Patriot Act, if a Muslim made a film that defamed Jesus Christ and Christian Western civilization? This is a question that has been raised in the last two decades, given that there have been burnings of the Koran, vehemently vitriolic speeches, writings, and broadcasts against Islam, using ‘terrorism’ as a thin veil for inciting prejudice and hatred, and a systematic policy of persecution not just by the US, but many of Western counties that violate the human rights of Muslims and where hate crimes take place by individuals and xenophobic groups.

The tragedy that erased human lives must be condemned by all, including Muslims no matter how angry they may be with US policy of military intervention in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and the entire Middle East that has been an obsession for US balance of power politics and a source for cheap energy in the past sixty years. However, there is a larger question of hypocrisy here, the kind of hypocrisy that keeps repeating itself without end. Why the double-standard in the treatment of Muslims versus non-Muslims?

Another very important issue is that the US has been working with some Islamists in Arab Spring uprisings to bring down regimes it does not favor, including those of Libya under colonel Qaddhafi and now Syria under Assad. Naturally, Obama and Clinton cannot reveal to the world what many know already, namely, that the US has been and continues to work with Islamists, while fighting the ‘war on terror’. Let us not forget that the US once worked with al-Qaeda against the pro-Soviet secular regime in Afghanistan in the 1980′s, and the goals of the US and al-Qaeda have been running parallel in many countries during the Arab Spring uprisings.

Political Islam with which the US often cooperates as well as fights as part of the larger ‘war on terror’ is at some level responsible for breeding violence. To what degree would political Islam be able to gain the kind of broad popular support if it were not for US intervention intended to achieve hegemony at various levels from economic to military in the Middle East? Political Islam is today an instrument of political expression, as it was in the late 19th century Egypt, producing disparate voices from moderate to fanatic, from non-violent to very violent amid the desperation of colonialism by the secular West.

This is not to say that Islamic political opportunists are not using religion for their own ends, but what feeds political Islam is the perpetual quest of the US and to a lesser degree Europe, to exploit and dominate the Middle East and North Africa; domination that translates into exploitation and gradual eradication of indigenous culture. One could rightly argue that the Chinese are just as involved with the Arab world and Africa. True enough, so why do we not see a Muslim movement against China that is interested in a business relationship under the market system, without pursuing a more overall policy of hegemony that includes diluting, if not occasionally insulting the Islamic faith?

Islam was the first force of anti-colonial resistance in the Arab World. After centuries-long tradition of Islamic rule over society, political Islam is an inevitable development in the form of political parties trying to mobilize popular support and win control of the state. The debate of whether political Islam is or is not a legitimate extension of Muslim tradition is one that preoccupies mostly the West, though it is true that Muslims have also dealt with this issue. Naturally, political Islam was fine as long as the rulers were and some who remain Western puppets and permit natural resources and markets to be exploited by the West whose defense and foreign policy they follow.

Political Islam became an anathema only when it became anti-Western, refusing to emulate the political, economic and cultural institutions of the West any more than embrace its values. Political Islam is questionable not because it is political, but because it is anti-West. A reasonable person would think that the US and the West would have learned their lesson in the last ten years in the Muslim World, namely, co-optation under Americanized institutions and values simply will not work nearly as smoothly as expected, and it will definitely backfire as it has repeatedly. I am convinced that policymakers are smart people who know all of this, but what drives them is ideology behind which hide tangible policy and economic interests.

Religious Islam and Peace

Contrary to what many in the West believe, largely because the media and politicians have bombarded them with endless propaganda, Muslims are a people of peace, no different in their quest for survival on this planet than anyone else. They too bleed when punctured, they too feel tragedy when their sons and daughters are shot down by the military of an occupying force, whether that would be NATO, US, or Israeli. The quest to be treated humanely and with respect for their religious and national integrity, to preserve their cultural identity that the West has been violating for more than a century may seem unreasonable to some in the West. Having the West pay tribute and respect and collaborating with a few among the political and business elites in the Arab world while the average Muslim struggles to preserve cultural identity, ethnic integrity, economic and social justice is at the root of the problem of why a person committed to the faith of peace my use it to justify turning to political Islam.

What is Islam? Islam means voluntary submission or surrender to the Will of Allah, but it can also mean peace or safety, under Allah. This third monotheistic religion to come from the Middle East after Judaism and Christianity whose doctrinal roots Islam shares and respects, given that Abraham, Moses and Jesus are regarded as prophets. The Qur’an contains Allah’s revelation as the prophet Mohammad delivered it to the faithful called Muslims. Besides the five pillars of Islam that make up the doctrinal foundation, the religion of Mohammad integrates faith and (Islamic) law, thus providing society with guidelines on all matters from worship to commerce and marriage.

As all religions evolve and theologians provide their own interpretations, similarly Islam has undergone various interpretations in the past 14 centuries. The estimated 25% of the world’s people that follow Islam do not fall into the exact same doctrinal mold any more than Christians or Jews. The interaction of Christians, Jews and Muslims was relatively harmonious from the rise and spread of Islam until the Christian crusades that marked the beginning of religious rivalry, behind which rested commercial ambitions to take over the long-distance trade routes that Muslims controlled along with the lucrative gold trade.

It seems to me that politicians, journalists, academics and clergy should have been promoting peace and harmony among all people, especially after 9/11, instead of joining the bandwagon of the fruitless and destructive ‘war on terror’ that has made a few corporations richer but without making the West any safer. Paying lip service to such concepts as peace, interfaith harmony, etc., so that one appears politically correct is not enough if it means conforming to the ‘war on terror’ policy which is in essence focused on augmenting popularity, strength, purses and prestige of certain narrow groups behind this policy. Engaging in anti-Islam rhetoric and justifying it by supporting the ‘war on terror’ only strengthens political Islam and feeds the cycle of violence.

While there are politicians, a few academics, journalists and clergy honestly committed to the goals of peace and harmony, mainstream political parties, the mass media and organized religion have failed to deliver in practice on what they claims as a key doctrine, namely, peace and harmony. This is because division of people, nationalities, religious and ethnic groups sells and permits those delivering the message of hatred to benefit.In short, conflict results in profits, power and prestige, though it carries many risks as well.

Americans have every right to ask the question of how can this attack on US nationals take place in a country the US helped ‘liberate’, in Benghazi that was a pro-US stronghold during the uprising, and on the anniversary of 9/11. They also have every right to honest answers about US government tactics and goals in Libya during the civil war and since then. Listening to Hilary Clinton and Barak Obama speak about the tragedy in Libya, it simply confirms that the US government is not about to change course of failed policies of the past, policies I fear that will bring a great deal more violence in the region, no matter how much the US tells the world that its only goal is freedom and democracy.

This is not to say that those who committed the acts of violence should not be pursued and tried under Libyan court of law. Nevertheless, I am guessing that Washington’s decision will be to adopt an even more hardline toward Islamic nations in general that do not cooperate with the US, especially given the pressure from Republicans amid the heated campaign season, and Israeli pressure to strike at Iran. In short, a policy not so different from the past. Therefore, the cycle of violence will continue and probably intensify. The worst is yet to come in the Middle East, and not just because Islam the religion of peace has been subverted into political Islam of fanaticism owing solely to internal factors.

AUTHOR: Jon Kofas
URL: http://jonkofas.blogspot.com
E-MAIL: jonkofas [at] yahoo.com

Pathibhara

If you believe that wishes come true with mere prayers then there is a thin line in between reality and beliefs. Reality that portraits and follows logic, where as beliefs that are accustomed to values and culture. Like such, Pathibahar has been one of the most enchanting and enigmatic pilgrim that has the spectacle beliefs of magical powers. The Temple is famous around the country for its magical and spiritual power that highlights different beliefs and stories. Hindus as well as the Buddhist worshipers from all over Nepal and India flock to this pilgrimage with the sole belief of the goddess.

Regarding the origin of the temple, it is believed to have started years back where the story has been passed on from generation to generation, transcending belief to a stronger form of reality.

The story is related to shepherds, and it is believed that the temple which is established now was founded by shepherds who had led their flock to the place where the temple lies today and magically the sheeps vanished. Later the shepherds had a dream in which they were instructed by the Goddess to make a ritualistic sacrifice and when the sacrifice was offered the sheeps were returned. The shepherds then constructed the temple and set up the statue of Devi.  The goddess was believed to accept animal sacrifices, which later gave her the name of Raktakali.

Later in time Pathibhara Devi was considered as one of the Shakti Peeths where the pilgrims sacrificed animals and offered gold and silver to the goddess.  Worshippers from different part of Nepal and India flocked the temple during special occasions, as it is believed that a pilgrimage to the temple ensures fulfillment of wishes.

“You just have to say it with a pure heart and the goddess makes it true that’s the local belief, but it’s your will and power to make it possible.  The goddess calls on those whom she believes and you have to come with your heart open. She hears all your prayers and magically everything comes true,” Prakash   Acharya, a devotee said.

Located within the laps of the Himalayas syncing the echoes of the valleys, Pathibhara is located in alpine grassland.  It is located in the northeast side of the country on a mountain at 3794 meters in Taplejung District. The Pathibhara district lies in the junction of three VDCs: Tapethok, Limkhim and PhawaKhola VDCs at a 19 kilometeres distance from Taplejung Bazaar (Phungling).

The trek to Pathibhara Devi (3794 m) is combined with the natural and cultural experiences of the region that makes the visit a unique exhilarating experience. It’s a one in a world experience where you can see the main route of the Kanchanjunga trek, and highlights the Limbu culture.  A week-long Limbu Cultural Trek, passing through traditional villages like Phurunga (or Phurumbu), Limkhim, Khewang, Tellok, PhawaKhola and Mamankhe is a learning and adding factor of the trip.  Other major attractions of the journey can also be Olangchung Gola and Lungchung monasteries. The waterfall at Sawa and the pond of Timbung, especially during autumn and spring are worth visiting every year.

The best time to visit Pathibhara is from March to June and September to November. The trek to Pathibhara Devi (3794 m) is combined with natural and cultural experiences of the region that makes the journey a unique exhilarating experience.

Travel Itinerary from Kathmandu to Pathibhara

Day First: Kathmandu-Suketar-Deurali

Activities:

• Flight from Kathmandu-Suketar (1hr) or Kathmandu-Biratnagar-Suketar (2hrs).
• Trekking from Suketar to Deurali
• Night stay in Deurali

Day Second: Deurali -Phedi

Activities:

• Trek of 4-5 hrs trek from Deurali to Phedi. On the way one can enjoy birds watching scenic views of the valleys
• Night stay in Phedi

Day Third: Phedi-Pathibhara district

Activities:

• Around 3 hours of trekking takes you to Pathibhara district. During this one can enjoy the panoramic views of the Himalayas mountain view from Pathibhara.

Travel Facilities to Taplejung:

• Air ways: Kathmandu – Taplejung (Suketar)-Biratnagar – Taplejung (Suketar)
• Road ways: Birtamod(Jhapa) – Taplejung (Phungling Bazaar)-Mechi National Highway 236KM
• Trekking: Basantapur- Gufa Pokhari – Taplejung (Phungling Bazaar) – 2 Days

AUTHOR: Shreedeep Rayamajhi
URL: http://www.rayznews.com
E-MAIL: weaker41 [at] gmail.com

Burning the holy books which are interconnected with the hearts and souls of millions of people around the world is one of the most heinous and dreadful actions which one can think of. After decades of bloodshed and bigotry in the two World Wars, Civil War in the United States and Crusades against Muslims in the 11th and 12th centuries, burning the holy books can be interpreted as a new form of barbarity and ignorance in the modern era and an unforgivable crime which can be justified by no standards whatsoever.

Over the past decade, several cases of desecrating the holy book of Muslims, Quran, have been reported that incited the hatred and frustration of millions of Muslims and non-Muslims in the four corner of the globe.

In July 2010, an extremist Christian pastor Terry Jones gained widespread public attention when he announced that he would be burning copies of the Holy Quran on the anniversary of September 11 attacks for the alleged excuse that they were the Muslims who spearheaded the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon and that Islam promotes violence and aggression. Of course such a terrible idea can be only issued by someone who suffers from an inferiority complex and yearns for attracting people’s attention. Taking a glance at the background of Terry Jones and what his former colleagues say about him, one can effortlessly figure out that the Christian pastor has always had an ambivalent personality and an air of self-importance which has made him an arrogant and supercilious man. After receiving an honorary degree from an unaccredited theology school in 1983 when he was 32, he began referring to himself as “Doctor” for which he was ultimately found guilty and condemned by a German administrative court.

Jones moved to Germany in 1981 and established a small church in Cologne named Christian Community of Cologne. As reported by the German publication “Der Spiegel,” the congregation fired him after a while, accusing him of spreading a “climate of fear and control” in the church. His colleagues say that he preached the congregants to beat their children with “rods” and also consumed the church funds for personal, improper purposes. What can be inferred from his biography is that the traces of sanity and reason can be barely found in his behavior and disposition.

In July 2010, he made the headlines by announcing his devilish plan for burning the copies of Holy Quran on an “International Burn a Quran Day.” Several heads of states, politicians, academicians, peace activists and journalists condemned his plan, and although he initially retreated from his decision, he finally set ablaze copies of the holy book of Muslims in Dove World Outreach Center’ss sanctuary on March 20, 2011.

Surprisingly, the Western politicians refused to express disapproval of this shocking venture and only stated that Terry Jones should cancel his plan simply because the lives of multinational forces in Iraq and Afghanistan might be endangered. Actually, the Western statesmen credulously overlooked the immoral and decadent nature of this action or simply refused to practice what they always preach: religious tolerance and diversity. Of course they would have no response to give if asked about the veracity of their claims of being supportive to religious freedom and tolerance. They offended and disappointed millions of Muslims with their silence and demonstrated that they have no respect for the beliefs of those who want to live alongside them in peace.

But the Quran burning controversy of 2011 did not mark an end to the adventurous ploys of Pastor Jones. The newspapers and TV stations across the world reported last week that Terry Jones once again burned copies of the Holy Quran and a portrait depicting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Saturday, April 28 in what was claimed as his protest to the detainment of a so-called Christian clergyman in Iran.

Before committing this obscene act, Pentagon had urged Jones not to burn the Holy Quran for the sake of the security of Americans in uniform, but no other statement was released by Obama administration to prevent the insane pastor from doing such a crime. Gainesville Sun reported on April 29 that the Quran burning plan was attended by a number of local residents and was broadcast live on internet. Even a group of police officers patrolled around the church premises and provided security for the ceremony. The region’s fire department chief also said that Jones had received proper authorizations for burning certain materials on April 28, but it was not specified what the materials were.

Although the high-ranking officials of Islamic countries, including the Iranian statesmen condemned the renewed venture of burning the Holy Quran in strongest terms, the U.S. and European officials turned a blind eye to the blasphemy, tacitly endorsing the radical pastor.

However, what is clear is that Jones is certainly looking for national and international attention. He has established a campaign for the 2012 presidential elections and even created a website for his campaign with the slogan “Real America, Real Hope.” In this website, Jones has claimed that he is standing up to speak for “truth” and confront “Islamic radicalism.” This is unquestionably a testimony to his lunacy and provides evidence for the fact that this mad man has no clear ideology or worldview. If he is a real Christian pastor, then can he justify that insulting the holy book of a major religion is in compliance with the teaching of Christianity?

Different Christian institutions, including the World Evangelical Alliance have strongly condemned Terry Jones and asked the U.S. government to take action against him. An Islamic movement in Pakistan has called for the execution of Terry Jones; however, it seems that the Obama administration and the Israeli-dominated Congress are so coward and pitiable that they will get along with the appalling enterprise that has come out of their country.

Of course, it should not be neglected that Yusef Naderkhani, the so-called pastor who is in jail in Iran is not detained on charges of changing his religion or advocating Christianity. He is charged with sexual abuse and robbery and no death penalty, as the U.S. mainstream media pretend, has been issued for him. The problem of Terry Jones and people like him with Islam and its teaching is that Islam unveils the true evil nature of imperialism and this is something which the U.S. politicians and their stooges such as the pastor of a tiny church in Florida cannot tolerate.

AUTHOR: Kourosh Ziabari
URL: http://www.intifada-palestine.com
E-MAIL: kziabari [at] gmail.com

On Tuesday this week at the Courtyard Protea Hotel the media stakeholders and lawyers were discussing the topic “is viable constitution possible amidst inadequate information?” in the breakfast debate that was convened by the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT).

Three presentations were made one by Erick Kalunga from Daraja an NGO based in Njombe who dealt with findings on the level of access to information at district levels.

A second presentation was made by Charles Mkude from the National Organization for Legal Assistance (NOLA), who presented on the legal aspects of the constitution making process and the Bill that was amended for the formulation highlighting its strength and weaknesses.

However it was the discussant Deus Kibamba chairperson of the Jukwaa la Katiba which is an independent Constitution Forum an umbrella body of the civil society who provoked serious discussions.

For his part ‘Uamsho’ an Islamic religious awakening has turned into a political machination to voice the Zanzibaris demand for discussing the Union matter in the process of formulating a new constitution.

“I can tell you Uamsho is no longer a purely religious movement but it has been manipulated in order to fulfill political ambitions,” noted Kibamba.

This then became the main theme of discussion in a meeting which was predominantly made of Tanzanians from the Mainland side of the Union.

Probably the debate was sensitized by the fact that the self proclaimed religious movement has arisen after so many years of dormant operations just to gain momentum now when the Union matter is being queried by some people in the Zanzibar Isles.

Impliedly contributors noted that there must be a big wig machination behind the Uamsho affair as it was noted by one Beda Msimbe an editor with the Tanzania Standard Newspapers.

He revealed that he belongs to the Roman Catholic Church and he had an opportunity to live in Zanzibar and therefore he knows of the existence of Uamsho for more than fifty years but he has been stunned by the recent turn of events.

“I have once lived in Zanzibar it is true that these people were uncomfortable whenever they saw one attending a church this stance was quite different from other normal Muslims, but they had never attempted to destroy any property therefore I am confused by the recent happenings,” he commented.

Ms Mesha Pius a postgraduate degree student in Development Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam said that it was high time the two sides of the Union had resolved the squabbles commonly known as “kero za Muungano”.

“In secondary schools our civics teachers taught us that Zanzibar was just one of the regions forming Tanzania but when I grew up to attend a tertiary institution I was told Zanzibar is a sovereign country “within the Union” this is very confusing,” she commented causing laughter at the hall.

This then tempted one Suleiman Seif Omar the MCT the manager Zanzibar Office who said that it was not proper to assume that all Zanzibaris do not need the Union, instead he noted if a survey was to be conducted today those who are against the Union would not exceed 30 percent of all residents in the Isles.

He assured attendants in the occasion that majority of his colleagues in the Isles were pro the Union but what they were querying was the nature of the Union and for the fact that resources are not distributed equitably to the two countries and that is the main cry of the Zanzibaris.

He also warned that the dissatisfaction was felt in the diplomatic representations where a good number of ambassadors emanate from the Mainland while there are many people from the Isles with similar or even far off better qualifications.

He was quick to add that the budget allocation for Zanzibar and many of grants from donors never reach his fellow Zanzibaris.

“But I do not see this as a justification for attacks to churches and bars because those who ambushed bars they later celebrated by drinking beers openly a sign that these are not devout Muslims,” he concluded.

But this did not resolve the matter either because participants said that it is very difficult to separate the Uamsho movement from the recent chaotic events taking into consideration that attempts to arrest a few of those who were implicated drew a massive support from other residents in Zanzibar.

On this issue Kibamba called for a mature approach from leaders of the Christian denominations because any strong statements could provoke serious repercussions of retaliations.

One journalist who preferred anonymity added that the movement might be a continuation of the Zanzibaris efforts to go alone in the Islamic world after their first attempt was interrupted when legislators from the Mainland called for the revival of Tanganyika if Zanzibar was to join the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in 1994.

He noted that for quite some time there have been rumours that the Mainland is suspicious of the security threats if it were to release Zanzibar free. His argument concurs with the notion that Zanzibar could have turned a ‘Cuba of Africa’ after its revolution which was a concern to the US, in early 1960s but currently the main threat is Islamic fundamentalism if the same was to happen.

This theory was supported by other members who said there are big wigs of Zanzibar origin in the Uamsho phenomena from the Government of National Unity (GNU), in Zanzibar and some currently working in the Union Government in the Mainland Tanzania.

Kibamba summarized his discussion by warning that even in Tanzania Mainland there are people who say Zanzibar is benefiting more from the Union he cited the recent survey which indicated that in Zanzibar 2000 people are eligible to elect a legislator a population which is far below for the election of a councilor in the Mainland.

Concluding his remarks Mkude warned that the constitution formulation process could as well be affected by illiteracy he called for the CSOs, media and political parties to foster the peoples’ agenda otherwise the new constitution might turn up to be a tool for few individuals to satisfy their political agenda.

AUTHOR: Elias Mhegera
URL: http://mhegeraelias.blogspot.com
E-MAIL: mhegeraelias [at] yahoo.com