Karnataka village without Muslims observes Muharram
Belagavi, Aug 9: As has been the practice for years now, a village in this district with no Muslim family observed Muharram this year, too, with local Hindus leading from the front.
Seen as a sign of religious harmony and brotherhood, several villages in northern Karnataka have a similar practice, where both Hindus and Muslims together observe Muharram.
There are several villages like this Hirebidanur village in Saundatti taluk of Belagavi district, where the practice has been kept alive despite not having any Muslim family, say local residents.
Hirebidanur, a village with nearly 3,000 people, about 50 km from here, has a dargah of 'Fakireshwar Swami' revered by the villagers; a Hindu man offers prayers and worship every day as a priest as per his religious traditions.
A family member of Yallappa Naikar, who offers prayer at the dargah every day, said, "On all other days we do (worship), while for Muharram, prayers and rituals are followed as per the Islamic traditions by a Muslim priest (moulvi) from a nearby village of Bevinakatti."
Umeshwar Maragal, who is from the village, told PTI that the custom of establishing 'Panja' (a religious symbol) and observing Muharram for five days at the Fakireshwar dargah, which Hindus call temple and perform pooja, has been in practice for many years.
On account of Muharram, five different rituals and practices are followed, and the village gets illuminated till the place where the 'Panja' is kept. Jadeppa Mandannavar, another resident of the village, said, "Many women pray to these Gods for childbirth. It is further believed that all desires of the devotees will be fulfilled..."
The dargah is said to have been constructed long ago by Muslim brothers and following their death the villagers have been taking care of it, offering prayers and observing Muharram.
Several practices like people walking on a bed of hot charcoal usually followed at local temple fairs are followed during Muharram.
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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
