NEW DELHI - Terming stone pelting as a form of protest un-Islamic, the Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Maulana Bashir-ud-Din, Wednesday said such violent practices were against the basic tenets of the religion whose essence is “peace and brotherhood”.

Resolve Tibet issue through dialogue, reiterates Dalai Lama

DHARAMSALA - Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Wednesday reiterated his commitment to settle the Tibetan issue through dialogue and within the framework of Chinese law.

Swedish newspapers reprint Prophet cartoon

STOCKHOLM - Several Swedish newspapers Wednesday reprinted a controversial caricature of the Prophet Mohammed as a dog, the day after an alleged plot to murder the cartoonist was disclosed.

Grand Mufti urges Muslim women to enter politics

NEW DELHI - A top Islamic cleric Wednesday welcomed the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha, describing it as “a great step towards women’s empowerment”.

Tainted godman’s Malaysian centre will not shut down

KUALA LUMPUR - A centre run by followers of Swami Paramhamsa Nithyananda, allegedly involved in a sex scandal in southern India, will not close down and will continue to promote his teachings, a Hindu leader said.

Mohsina Kidwai elected chairperson of Haj committee

NEW DELHI - Senior Congress leader Mohsina Kidwai was Wednesday elected chairperson of the Haj Committee of India, a government panel that makes arrangements for the Muslim pilgrimage to the holy cities of Makkah and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Mohali village tense after head priest’s suicide

MOHALI - Security was strengthened outside a Jain temple in Punjab’s Mohali district after its head priest committed suicide Thursday triggering tension in the area, police said.

Islamic clerics oppose women’s reservation

LUCKNOW - Not only certain political parties, but even some influential Islamic scholars and clerics are strongly opposed to the women’s reservation bill.

Automatic weapons fire breaks out in Nigerian town wracked by Christian-Muslim violence

US urges Nigeria to prosecute those responsible after 200 slaughtered in religious violence

Northern Ireland lawmakers vote to support next step in Catholic-Protestant cooperation

Egypt says it is dedicated to restoring all the country’s synagogues

Egypt to pay for restoration of all synagogues

Muslim street wear from Germany spreads across Europe with trendy designs, tolerant message

Muslim fashion label conquers streets of Europe

Northern Ireland Assembly to vote on next power-sharing step; No. 2 Protestant party says ‘no’

NIreland Assembly to vote on next peacemaking step

Nigeria: Rights group, US call for inquiry, credible prosecutions after religious violence

Nigeria: Calls for inquiry into religious violence

Restrictions on abortion funding take on different form in Obama’s health care overhaul bill