Author, two others held for hurting Muslim sentiments

Two men N.Innaiah and Subba Rao were Friday arrested in Andhra Pradesh's Khammam town for helping an author in writing a book that reportedly hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims, police said.Police Thursday arrested Macha Laxmaiah alias Krantikar, author of "Crescent over the world - is a boon or the silent Holocaust" containing blasphemous comments about Islam, the Prophet and the Quran. A case was booked against him for hurting the religious sentiments of the community. The arrests followed massive protests by Muslims in Khammam, around 250 km from Hyderabad. They took out a rally, demanding action against the author and those who helped him. Muslims alleged that the book contained articles from banned books "Satanic Verses" by Salman Rushdie and "Lajja" by Tasleema Nasreen, along with a blasphemous cartoon published in a Danish magazine. Police said they seized 380 books of the first volume and 410 books of the second volume of the publication in different parts of Khammam district. Khammam superintendent of police Anil Kumar said efforts were being made to seize all books despatched to other areas. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah told the state assembly that the police arrested the author and seized the books. He said stern action would be taken against anyone disrupting peace and communal harmony of the state. His assurance came after Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) raised the issue and demanded action against the guilty. Police sounded an alert in Hyderabad, Khammam and other places to prevent any untoward incident. Additional police forces were deployed in the old city of Hyderabad where 'imams' or clerics, during their Friday sermons, condemned the author and those who supported him. ==========================================================

President’s Milad-Un-Nabi greetings

(PIB NEWS) The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil in her message on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, which is being observed tomorrow, has said: - “On the occasion of the Milad-Un-Nabi, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens. May the message of compassion, tolerance and service to humanity preached by the Holy Prophet inspire and guide us to follow the path of kindness and universal brotherhood.”
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Vice President Shri Hamid Ansari greets people on Milad-un-Nabi

(PIB NEWS)The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has greeted the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Milad-Un-Nabi which is celebrated to mark the birth of Prophet Mohammad. In his message he has said that Prophet Mohammad showed mankind the path of compassion, tolerance, love, brotherhood and righteousness. His message has the power to lift the human race from ignorance, violence and moral decay to a life of peace, virtue and spiritual fulfilment. Following is the text of the Vice President’s message : “I extend my greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Milad-Un-Nabi which is celebrated to mark the birth of Prophet Mohammad. Prophet Mohammad showed mankind the path of compassion, tolerance, love, brotherhood and righteousness. His message has the power to lift the human race from ignorance, violence and moral decay to a life of peace, virtue and spiritual fulfilment. May the enlightened message of the Prophet unite us all and guide us on the path of peace and harmony.”
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PM greets nation on Milad-un-Nabi

(PIB NEWS) The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Milad-un–Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed. In a message, the Prime Minister said that the universal teachings of love and compassion of Hazrat Mohammad inspire us to work for universal peace and brotherhood.

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