Tag: religion

Events in Goa

Manu S. Pillai and Seema Mustafa to Discuss Colonialism, Religion, and Identity at Museum of Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

 Panaji, August 2025 — In an age marked by polarised narratives and cultural conflict, the Museum of Goa (MOG) is hosting an unmissable event that promises both historical depth and contemporary relevance.

Titled “Faith Lines: Syncretism, Conflict and the Stories We Tell”, the session features a dynamic conversation between acclaimed historian Manu S. Pillai and senior journalist Seema Mustafa, exploring the role religion has played in shaping — and often shaking — the South Asian subcontinent.

🕊️ While religion has been a unifier across centuries, it has also sparked deep divisions. This talk dives into how colonialism redefined religious identities, how syncretic traditions have survived amidst conflict, and how our historical narratives continue to impact civil society today.

Manu S. Pillai is known for his accessible yet academically rich storytelling. With bestsellers like The Ivory Throne and False Allies, he has reshaped how young Indians engage with history.
Seema Mustafa, former President of the Editors Guild of India, brings with her decades of fearless journalism, known for centering secularism, civil liberties, and journalistic integrity.

Together, they will ask:

  • How do we remember and retell the past?
  • Can historical narratives help us build bridges in divided times?
  • What is the role of storytelling in healing or fueling identity politics?

📚 Books by both authors will be available for purchase, thanks to Literati Bookstore.

🎟️ Entry is free, but with limited seating, attendees are encouraged to arrive early.

Event Details:
 📅 Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025
🕡 Time: 6:30 PM onwards
📍 Venue: Museum of Goa, Pilerne Industrial Estate, Bardez
🎟️ Entry: Free (Limited seating)

International

Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris Reopens for the Feast of the Assumption 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

The heart of Paris will beat anew this August as Notre-Dame Cathedral hosts its first major religious celebration since the devastating fire of 2019. Marking a deeply symbolic return, the Cathedral will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption on August 14 and 15, 2025, restoring a centuries-old tradition to one of the world’s most beloved sacred spaces.

This two-day event carries both spiritual and historical significance. Since the 17th century, France has commemorated the vow of Louis XIII, who consecrated the nation to the Virgin Mary in 1638. In keeping with that legacy, the Feast of the Assumption is not just a liturgical celebration, but a national one — a reminder of France’s deep-rooted Marian devotion.

The program begins on Thursday, August 14, with reduced tours and access to the Cathedral as it opens its doors to the faithful. The evening is filled with solemn vespers, mass, and the Jubilee procession — a sacred moment inside the Cathedral that includes the ostension of the Crown of Thorns, one of Notre-Dame’s most revered relics. The evening concludes with the proclamation of the Gospel, a reminder of the enduring vow made by the French monarchy nearly four centuries ago.

Friday, August 15, the official day of the Assumption, begins early with morning masses and Lauds. The highlight of the day is the grand city procession, which begins at 3:45 pm from the Cathedral’s forecourt, led by Mgr Emmanuel Tois, Auxiliary Bishop of Paris. Carrying the Virgin and Child of Charles X, the procession moves through the streets of Paris, inviting the faithful and the curious alike to witness a public expression of devotion rarely seen since the Cathedral’s closure.

The day concludes with solemn vespers and a final mass, again presided over by Mgr Tois, capping a moment of immense spiritual and cultural renewal for France.

As Notre-Dame once again becomes a living space of prayer, music, and community, the 2025 Feast of the Assumption stands not only as a celebration of faith but as a testimony to resilience, heritage, and hope reborn.

Special Occasion

Hajj 2025 Begins: Millions of Pilgrims Gather in Mecca for the Annual Spiritual Journey

allycaralgoa

Mina, Saudi Arabia – June 4, 2025: The annual five-day pilgrimage of Hajj has officially commenced, as millions of Muslims from around the world converge on the holy city of Mecca to take part in one of the most significant spiritual journeys in Islam.

Early this morning, pilgrims began their journey from Mecca to Mina, the first step in a sacred route that follows in the footsteps of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him). As is tradition, the sprawling tent city of Mina, just a few kilometers outside Mecca, becomes the temporary home for the pilgrims — offering shelter, rest, and community as they prepare for the deeply symbolic and physically demanding rituals ahead.

Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is mandatory once in a lifetime for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it. It is a journey not only of distance but of spiritual renewal, humility, and equality, as people from every race, nationality, and social class stand side by side, dressed in simple white garments known as ihram.

Over the course of five days, pilgrims will perform a series of rituals including:

  • Spending the night in Mina
  • Standing in prayer at the Plain of Arafat
  • Collecting pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil in Muzdalifah
  • The Tawaf (circling) of the Kaaba
  • The ritual animal sacrifice during Eid al-Adha

Each rite carries deep spiritual meaning, symbolizing submission to God, the rejection of sin, and the renewal of faith.

As one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings, Hajj represents the unity of the Muslim Ummah (global community). In 2025, the event sees participation from nearly every continent — with pilgrims traveling from the far reaches of Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey, the United States, and beyond.

Saudi authorities have implemented extensive logistical, medical, and safety preparations to accommodate and protect the millions of attendees, with modern facilities and tech-driven support systems to assist the pilgrims throughout their journey.

More than a physical trek, Hajj is viewed as a journey of the soul. It’s a time for repentance, prayer, and deep introspection. Pilgrims often describe it as a life-changing experience — one that strips away worldly distractions and connects them with their faith in a profound and personal way.

As the tent city of Mina fills and the rituals begin, the eyes of the Muslim world turn toward Mecca in reflection, reverence, and solidarity.