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Asian Voice |10th September 2016
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Shraddhanjali Sabha in Leicester for HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, departed his mortal body on Saturday 13 August 2016, at the age of 95. Over 2.1 million devotees and several dignitaries from around the world rushed to the village of Sarangpur in Gujarat, India to pay their last respects before his final rites were performed on Wednesday 17 August. On Sunday 28 August, a special prayer assembly was held in Leicester at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in memory of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The assembly, attended by over 1,500 people, began with prayers and devotional singing. The atmosphere was infused with sombre respect at the loss of a spiritual stalwart yet with a sense of celebration for the lofty values he had instilled within people
Keith Vaz addressing the devotees
and his lifetime of selfless service to humanity. Delegates from across Leicester paid tribute to the life and work of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Rt. Hon. Keith Vaz MP recalled fond memories of his meetings with His Holiness and remembered the sense of peace he emanated. Cllr Piara Singh Clair MBE praised the visionary youth activities that Pramukh Swami
Maharaj had inspired and its positive impact on the wider community, whilst Cllr Manjula Sood MBE thanked His Holiness for his legacy to the City of Leicester in the form of the award-winning Mandir. Attendees shared memories of their uplifting interactions with Pramukh Swami Maharaj, reminiscing upon the heartfelt connection that cemented his influence and wisdom in
Crash pair jailed for causing death of father-of-three Jonilal Manjhu Two men have been sentenced for their part in a fatal city centre collision which killed father of three Jonilal Manjhu. Kulwant Singh Rai, 48, and Gurdip Rai, 35, of Brinsmead Road, Knighton, both appeared at Leicester Crown Court last Friday and were sentenced to four years and six months in prison each. The pair were also banned from driving for 10 years. The collision happened in Welford Road in the early hours of Sunday, June 15, 2014. Kulwant Rai was driving his BMW 1 Series and Gurdip Rai was driving a
Ford Focus, in which 39year-old Jonilal Manjhu was a passenger. Jonilal died in hospital after the vehicle he was travelling in left the road and hit a tree. Both defendants were driving at excessive speed in a 30mph zone, with one eyewitness reporting that the cars had been racing. Gurdip Rai was oneand-a-half times over the drink drive limit and suffered serious leg injuries which resulted in one of his lower legs being amputated. During a trial in June, Kulwant Rai was found guilty of death by dangerous driving.
Gurdip Rai pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving at a hearing in 2015. Detective Sergeant Mark Partridge, of the regional serious collision investigation unit, said: "This incident has devastated many lives. "Jonilal was a father of three young children when he lost his life in these very tragic circumstances. "We hope that if anything is to come from this case it'll be that others will think before they decide to drive at excessive speeds. "You are not only putting your life at risk but also the lives of other road users."
Muslim woman was made to ‘kiss her mother-in-law’s feet’ A Muslim woman was made to undergo “a degrading experience, including bending down in front of her mother-in-law and even kissing her feet”, a judge at the Family Court has heard. The woman and her husband had been married for nine years and lived in Lancashire. The couple are described as being of Pakistani origin and in their late 30s. They had an arranged marriage. Mr Justice Newton said the woman was an “entirely
traditional Islamic wife (who) served her husband and his family in their home in the north west with as much obedience and loyalty as she could muster”. The judge said the woman’s husband was an “essentially weak and shallow” man who “does as he is told by his mother”, a woman the judge called “selfish” and “manipulative” – according to a report in the Daily Telegraph. The woman had called police after her mother-in-
law told her to go to Pakistan. Subsequently, she was forced into “degrading” behaviour like kissing her mother-in-law’s feet. In late 2011, the woman and her husband’s relations travelled to Pakistan where she was left for three years. Justice Newton ruled that the children should live with their mother in the UK. Except the woman’s husband, no other member of the paternal family could see the children.
their personal and family lives. It was clear from these snippets that His Holiness had built a personal connection with thousands, holding a very special place in their hearts. Pujya Yogvivek Swami, head sadhu for BAPS in the UK and Europe, addressed the assembly, sharing a personal account of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s final days that reiterated his unflinching bond with God and ceaseless care for devotees. Also present in the
assembly was senior sadhu from India, Sadguru Pujya Bhaktipriya Swami (Kothari Swami). Based on personal interactions stretching over more than 45 years, he provided a deeper understanding of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s exemplary spiritual life and his revelation that he is to be succeeded by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj. The assembly concluded by offering pushpanjali and arti as a mark of respect.
Devotees at the prayer assembly
Imam murder suspect denies IS link A man accused of murdering an imam has told a jury he is not a supporter of the so-called Islamic State (IS). Mohammad Hussain Syeedy, who denies murdering Jalal Uddin in Rochdale in February, told Manchester Crown Court he does not sympathise with IS. Mr Syeedy, 21, from Rochdale, denied supporting the group's "ideologies", "ways" or "actions". The Crown claims he played a key role in helping Mohammed Abdul Kadir, 24, bludgeon to death 71-year-old Mr Uddin. The prosecution alleges the pair developed a hatred of the victim,
believing him to be performing "black magic" because of his practising of Ruqya healing, which involves the use of amulets known as taweez. It is claimed they supported IS and sought to punish Mr Uddin with death for this practice, in line with the group's beliefs. The Crown claims Mr Syeedy intentionally assisted and encouraged Mr Kadir, driving him to and from the park on the day of the killing. Mr Syeedy, a former Manchester United steward, said: "I certainly do not sympathise with Isis. "I do not support any of their ideologies or their ways and their actions. "I think what they are
Victim: Jalal Uddin
doing is absolutely wrong, I don't agree with innocent people dying," he added. The engineering student admitted he disagreed with Mr Uddin's beliefs but when it came to punishment, he told the jury he "had no authority" and it was "up to God". The trial continues.
Akhtar Javeed trial update The ‘getaway driver’ standing trial for the murder of Digbeth businessman Akhtar Javeed told a jury he ‘wasn’t brave enough’ to drive away as the father-offour was being shot. Lemar Wali is one of two men charged with murder and conspiracy to commit robbery after Mr Javeed was shot and killed at his business premises on February 3. Wali, from Derby denies the charges. Prosecutors claim Wali
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drove the ‘getaway car’ involved in the robbery. Suraj Mistry, from Leicester, is also standing trial for the same charges and has pleaded not guilty. Another man, Tahir Zarif believed to have fired the fatal shot, is thought to have fled to Pakistan. Giving evidence at Birmingham Crown Court, Wali said he was paid by Zarif to drive him to Birmingham on February 3 but he was only told it was PBV
a planned robbery, half an hour beforehand. Wali also claimed it was Mistry who entered the business premises with Zarif on February 3, with the intention of ‘burgling the safe.’
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