Religion

Chanting, the ritual bathing of a Hindu god’s idol and the lighting of 21 oil lamps highlighted the Srivari Sri Balaji temple’s first New Year’s Day observance. The 2,000-square-foot prayer hall, located on Elizabeth Avenue, was packed Jan. 1 with members of the temple who had come to pay respects to the idol of their god, Lord Srivari, and deliver …

Hanukkah, the “Miracle of the Lights,” was commemorated Dec. 27 in two public ceremonies in the township. The Chabad Center for Jewish Life of Hillsborough held a menorah lighting ceremony at the Somerset ShopRite on Old New Brunswick Road, and Temple Beth El held its annual menorah lighting gala at the Hamilton Street temple.

More than 100 members of a township mosque gathered there Dec. 17 to celebrate the birthday of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad. The faithful gathered at the Masjid-e-Ali mosque on Cedar Grove Lane to hear several speakers talk about Muhammad, and equate his life to the present day.

A proposal to honorarily rename Cedar Grove Lane “Interfaith Lane” received the town’s approval, and has an advocate on the county level. That’s important because any move to place an honorary name on the county owned road would require approval from the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Middlebush Reformed Church is serving as a drop-off point for the 29th annual Jersey Cares Coat Drive. Gently used winter coats are needed, especially those for children. Deadline for donations is Dec. 4.

Hundreds of Muslims gathered Nov. 5 at Masjid-e-Ali Mosque to celebrate the life and mourn the death of one of the most significant prophets in Shi’a Islam, and to renew their commitments to social justice. More than 14 centuries ago, Husain Ibn Ai and about 70 of his followers were killed in Karbala, in present-day Iraq, after refusing to pledge allegiance to …

One of Shia Islam’s most sacred days was commemorated Oct. 11 at the Masjid-e-Ali Mosque on Cedar Grove Lane. Shab-e-Ashura – literally, “The Night Before the 10th – is the day before the day that the grandson of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad and 71 of his followers were killed in Karbala, Iraq, by the army of Yazid I, head of …

Submitted by Imam Syed Rizwan Rizvi. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is held to be the most sacred of all the months, excluding Ramadan. The tenth day of Muharram is the Day of Ashura, which to Shīʿah Muslims is part of the Mourning of Muharram.

Dogs and cats and Guinea pigs and a snake received blessings Oct. 2 at the annual St. Matthias Catholic Church’s Blessing of the Animals ceremony. The ceremony is held each year on the Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, said Deacon Russ Demkovitz, who conducted the blessing.

Members of the Islamic Society of Franklin Township gathered Sept. 12 in a hotel ballroom to celebrate one of the holiest days in the Muslim calendar, Eid-al-Adha, or the “Feast of the Sacrifice.” Nearly 100 of the society’s members showed up at the Holiday Inn on Davidson Avenue for the prayer.