Latest news with #prayer
Irish Times
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Politicians condemn attack on Belfast Islamic Centre while people prayed
Politicians have condemned an attack on the Islamic Centre in Belfast that was carried out while people were praying on Friday evening. A local MLA said a device was thrown into the building during evening prayer, forcing it to be evacuated. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he was 'deeply concerned by the shameful attack'. 'Hatred of this sort has no place in Northern Ireland. If anyone has any information about this, please contact the PSNI,' he said. READ MORE Police said they attended a security alert on University Road in south Belfast on Friday night. A number of cordons were put in place and members of the public were asked to avoid the area. A 34-year-old man was arrested and taken into police custody. Alliance MLA for South Belfast Paula Bradshaw condemned the attack, which she said did 'not reflect the diversity of south Belfast in 2025'. 'This attack was again designed to cause fear among people inside the centre, who were at prayer at the time. 'Nevertheless, I am thankful for the intervention of a nearby passer-by and for the work of the police. Those were much more reflective of the true spirit of Belfast, where most people rejoice in diversity. 'I would like to express my solidarity with all those who were evacuated and my thanks to all those who worked to ensure their safety.' Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey said 'no one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship'. 'Acts like these, fuelled by hate, spread fear and division, and target people who have come to our communities to build a life and call this place home. 'It's vital that all political leaders speak out and stand united against this disgusting behaviour.' Green Party councillor Aine Groogan condemned the attack as a 'cowardly and vicious act'. 'I am horrified to hear about the attack on the Islamic Centre during evening prayers,' she said. 'I want to pay tribute to the courageous passer-by who intervened and prevented what could have been a far more tragic outcome. 'It is terrifying to consider what might have happened and I sincerely hope that all those present are recovering from this traumatic ordeal.' She added: 'This attack is yet another reminder of the very real danger faced by our Islamic community. The recent rise in racist hate and violence on our streets is a shameful stain on our society. 'We must all take responsibility for actively challenging racism, misinformation and bigotry wherever it appears before someone is seriously hurt. 'I urge those politicians who continue to hide behind the notion of so-called 'legitimate concerns' around migration to reflect on the consequences of their words. 'Such narratives are as disingenuous as they are dangerous. They help foster a culture in which hate can thrive. Frankly, they should know better.' - PA
CBS News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Community gathers at Brooklyn Park church in wake of Minnesota lawmaker shootings
Inside Grace Fellowship church in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, community members stricken with tragedy look for comfort and an answer to why. "I was scared to go out of the house," said Judy Sprague from Brooklyn Park. "I'm just thinking of the children that are left behind now," said Jan Cady. Friends, family and supporters represented by Team Hoffman and Team Hortman T-shirts were at a Monday night community prayer as church leaders prayed for their families for guidance through an unspeakable trauma. Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed early Saturday in their Brooklyn Park home, and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot and injured at their house in Champlin. "We're not here with all the answers, but we are here together to be part of the solution," said Joe Boyd, lead pastor at Grace Fellowship. No one was prepared for this moment, Boyd said, and we may never know why it happened, but when things are uncertain, Boyd said to rely on faith. "The message that I have is that we don't really know why bad things like this happen, but we know that there is a God who can help us and guide us and we need to put our faith and trust in him," said Boyd.
Telegraph
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Nigerian agriculture ministry workers ‘told to fast and pray' to end hunger crisis
Nigeria's agriculture ministry has called on staff to pray and fast to address the West African nation's hunger crises. An internal memo sent late last week urged staff to participate in Monday lunchtime prayer and fasting sessions to seek 'divine intervention for protection and national development'. The leaked memo prompted mockery on social media, where critics alleged it showed the country was not serious about tackling malnutrition and food shortages. The circular signed by the director of human resources invited all staff 'to a solemn prayer session for God's guidance and success in supporting the government's efforts to achieve food security'. Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation, but the World Food Programme (WFP) last year estimated that around 27 million of its 220 million population had a severe lack of food. The ministry was quickly forced to clarify that the prayer circular did not represent official policy for finding a solution to the problem. It said the prayer meetings had been suggested as a staff welfare and morale activity, after the untimely deaths of several employees. A statement explained: 'The ministry wishes to inform that the prayer session is an initiative of the human resource department to address the well being of the staff, just as the already existing monthly aerobic exercise and establishment of the gymnasium in the ministry are for physical fitness [and] as the regular medical check-up of staff are for their health.' 'The prayer was to address the apprehensiveness of staff over the recent untimely and successive death of management staff of the ministry.' WFP's 2024 report on Nigeria said entrenched insecurity in the north east, floods, and economic woes had all badly hit food supply. The cost of basic food staples including sorghum, millet, maize, and wheat, climbed sharply over 2024, leaving many unable to feed themselves properly.
CTV News
14-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Candlelight prayer held in Brampton Hindu temple for Air India crash victims
Residents in Brampton are paying tribute to those lost in yesterday's tragic plane crash. A candlelight prayer was held at a Hindu temple in Brampton Friday night to remember the victims of the Air India crash. Devotees gathered at Hindu Sabha Mandir to pray for the 241 passengers aboard the London-bound Boeing 787 who died Thursday, after their plane crashed into a medical college hostel after takeoff in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad. Dozens more on the ground, including four medical students, were killed as a result of the crash. The lone Canadian national on board the flight was identified as 32-year-old Nirali Patel, who lived in Etobicoke with her husband and young son and worked as a dentist in Mississauga. Dr. Nirali Patel Maehu Lama, the president of the temple, said Patel, whose parents and brother live in Brampton, was a regular visitor. 'We have lost our own family member,' Lama said. 'All the Hindu devotees, they are our family members. So that's why it's very shocking for everybody.' Lama said he was still in shock and couldn't believe what had happened. 'We have gathered to pray for the families, in support of those families who have lost their loved ones,' he said. 'This was very tragic.' A family friend told CTV News Toronto on Thursday that Patel was visiting India for four or five days. Ashok Kapoor, the former president of the temple, said that it was necessary to hold the prayer event as many members had been impacted by the tragedy. 'That is what the purpose of this evening is to pay the condolences and pray that God gives strength to the families to be at this loss,' he said. One passenger survived the crash after jumping out of the emergency exit, sustaining burns and other injuries. Viswashkumar Ramesh spoke to India's national broadcaster on Friday, saying he was still in disbelief that he's alive. This handout photo issued by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs shows Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah meeting British plane crash survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, at a hospital in Ahmedabad, after Air India confirmed Mr Ramesh was the sole surviv... This handout photo issued by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs shows Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah meeting British plane crash survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, at a hospital in Ahmedabad, after Air India confirmed Mr Ramesh was the sole survivor of the 242 people on board the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it crashed into a medical college shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport. (Ministry of Home Affairs India via AP) On Friday, investigators recovered the black box on a rooftop near the crash site. Information recorded in the device could reveal what caused the crash. With files from The Associated Press
CTV News
14-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Candlelight prayer held in Brampton Hindu temple for Air India crash victims
Residents in Brampton are paying tribute to those lost in yesterday's tragic plane crash. A candlelight prayer was held at a Hindu temple in Brampton Friday night to remember the victims of the Air India crash. Devotees gathered at Hindu Sabha Mandir to pray for the 241 passengers aboard the London-bound Boeing 787 who died Thursday, after their plane crashed into a medical college hostel after takeoff in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad. Dozens more on the ground, including four medical students, were killed as a result of the crash. The lone Canadian national on board the flight was identified as 32-year-old Nirali Patel, who lived in Etobicoke with her husband and young son and worked as a dentist in Mississauga. Dr. Nirali Patel Maehu Lama, the president of the temple, said Patel, whose parents and brother live in Brampton, was a regular visitor. 'We have lost our own family member,' Lama said. 'All the Hindu devotees, they are our family members. So that's why it's very shocking for everybody.' Lama said he was still in shock and couldn't believe what had happened. 'We have gathered to pray for the families, in support of those families who have lost their loved ones,' he said. 'This was very tragic.' A family friend told CTV News Toronto on Thursday that Patel was visiting India for four or five days. Ashok Kapoor, the former president of the temple, said that it was necessary to hold the prayer event as many members had been impacted by the tragedy. 'That is what the purpose of this evening is to pay the condolences and pray that God gives strength to the families to be at this loss,' he said. One passenger survived the crash after jumping out of the emergency exit, sustaining burns and other injuries. Viswashkumar Ramesh spoke to India's national broadcaster on Friday, saying he was still in disbelief that he's alive. This handout photo issued by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs shows Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah meeting British plane crash survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, at a hospital in Ahmedabad, after Air India confirmed Mr Ramesh was the sole surviv... This handout photo issued by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs shows Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah meeting British plane crash survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, at a hospital in Ahmedabad, after Air India confirmed Mr Ramesh was the sole survivor of the 242 people on board the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it crashed into a medical college shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport. (Ministry of Home Affairs India via AP) On Friday, investigators recovered the black box on a rooftop near the crash site. Information recorded in the device could reveal what caused the crash. With files from The Associated Press
