In a recent gruesome video entitled, “Bombardment of Peaceful Muslims in the City of Mosul” released by ISIS, Islamic State militant have threatened to behead American President Barack Obama and turn the United States into a Muslim province.
The first part of the video shows the destruction caused in Mosul due to mortar shelling from Kurdish forces and the second part of the video shows an ISIS fighter beheading a captured Kurdish soldier. But before the ISIS militant executed the Kurdish soldier, he warned the US president and said, “This is the fate of anyone who opposes Islam. Know, oh Obama, that we will reach America. Know also that we will cut off your head in the White House and transform America into a Muslim province. And this is my message to France and its sister, Belgium. We advise you that we will come to you with car bombs and explosive charges and we will cut off your heads.”
According to the Middle East Media Research Institute (Memri), the video threatening Obama was released by ISIS on January 26, two days after heavy Peshmerga shelling and coalition air strikes were reported in its stronghold of Mosul.
UK Parliament sympathises with Kashmiri Pandits
For the first time, the British House of Commons passed a resolution expressing solidarity with the Kashmir Pandits of India who were forced to leave their homes and hearths in the wake of Islamic militancy supported by the neighbouring country in the 90s.
The Early Day Motion (EDM) placed on the table of the House of Commons expressed sympathy and concern for the ousted Pandits who became the victims of cross-border terrorism in Kashmir.
The EDM was tabled by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) of British Hindus, led by lawmaker Bob Blackman and supported by four other MPs. Twenty five MPs signed in favour of the motion.
The EDM deplored the destruction of places of worship of the Kashmiri Hindu Pandits besides expressing concern for inordinate delay in the deliverance of justice to them. The Kashmiri Pandit Cultural Society described this EDM as historic. They also organised a march on January 25 in London to mark the 25th anniversary of their exodus.
First Hindu Temple in Bay of Plenty
Sanatan Dharam Mandir, Tauranga’s (a city in the Bay of Plenty regions of the North Island of New Zealand) first Hindu temple, is reportedly set to open in the next few months. The reports suggest that building consent has been obtained for this two-storey Mandir and the construction is expected to begin in the next few days.
Since 2012, religious services have been held in a shed; and before that area Hindus used to visit Hamilton (about 105 kilometers) and Auckland (about 204 kilometers) for worship services.
Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) applauded efforts of temple project leaders and area community to realise this Hindu temple.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this temple complex would focus in this direction.
Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realisation of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.
A project of Sanatan Dharam Trust (SDT), about 2150 square meters of land in Tauriko area of Tauranga were reportedly bought in 2012 for about $400,000 for this purpose.
—Nishant Kumar Azad with inputs from Agencies
