Kathmandu: Nepali Muslims Protest rally against the Israeli attacks

Group of Nepalese Muslim community shout anti Israel slogan infront of the Israeli embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal, 18 July 2014. Dozens of Muslim stage protest demonstrating anti Israeli banner in Kathmandu against Israeli attacks on a Gaza.
KATHMANDU, July 19, 2014 (Xinhua) -- Nepalese Muslims take part in a protest rally against the Israeli attacks on Gaza in front of the Israeli Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal, July 18, 2014.

Film star plans marriage after embracing Islam

South Indian actress Monica has embraced Islam, leaving behind the life of lights. “I have converted

not because of love or money and I am not such a person. I embraced Islam because I like its principles,” she told reporters.
“Hereafter I won’t act in films, it gives some pain but I don’t change my mind.” 
She has changed her name to Rahima.
Monica added: “I have been practicing Islam for almost four years now. My father is a Christian and my mother is a Hindu and they support my decision fully. My last film ‘Nadhigal Nanaivathillai’ would be releasing soon and I won’t be acting in films henceforth.”
Born as Rekha Maruthiraj, she took the name Monica for her acting career in Tamil and Telugu films. Later, she changed her name to Parvana for Malayalam films. Now her Muslim name is M.G. Rahima.
She announced her decision in Chennai at a news conference on Friday in which she released photos showing her wearing modest costume and hijab.
Monica, who had won Tamil Nadu State Award as the best child actor for her performance in En Aasai Machan, was last seen in Tamil film Jannal Oram in November 2013. Monica is not the first Indian celebrity to revert to Islam.
Monica’s parents Maruti Raj and Gracy were also present at the press meet. “I am strongly inspired by the Islamic tenets which I read in books. I am planning to settle down and will announce my wedding plans soon,” Monica said.

Indian singer Hans Raj Hans embraces Islam, wants to go Madina

Hans Raj Hans, one of the famous Indian singers, a popular name in Sufi Music and Punjabi folk songs, and also a politician, has confirmed media reports in which it was mentioned that he has converted to Islam during his recent visit to Lahore.

Mohammad Yousaf (Hans Raj Hans) showed his desire of going and visiting Madina Munawara (a Holy place of Muslims in Saudi Arabia).

He exclaimed that he has studied Islam very closely. Then he started to read the Holy Quran and that is when he started to feel the essence of teachings of Islam and the divine revelation.

I listened to the call of my heart and decided to embrace Islam as a religion, he added.

The singer says that Islam is the religion of love, brotherhood and peace. He mentions that what inner peace he received after converting to Islam, he cannot explain in words.

Hans Raj Hans, a Sikh by birth, will now be known as Mohammed Yousuf, reports added. However, he will keep his original name for his professional endeavours.

Nonetheless, reports in the Indian media have quoted Hans Raj Hans’s son Navraj refuting the reports of his father converting to Islam. Navraj said that his father is unwell and is at their home in Jalandhar.

Navraj had married singer Daler Mehendi’s daughter Ajit in November 2013 according to the Sikh traditions at a Gurudwara in Gurgaon.

Hans Raj is not the only one from Bollywood industry who converted to Islam, before Hans internationally renowned musical maestro and Oscar Award winner musician AR Rahman, yesteryears actress Sharmila Tagore, Bollywood’s famed creative genius lyricist-poet-screenwriter and film director Gulzar,and Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni have also converted to Islam in past .