© 1999 VNN
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WORLD December 26, 1999 VNN5155 Comment on this story Preaching In Saudi Arabia BY AIRAVATA DAS SAUDI ARABIA, Dec 26 (VNN) — This year Airavata das visited Saudi Arabia again to continue the cultivation of interested people. From the previous years there were a few Muslim professors who are continuing to read Bhagavad-Gita and chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Airavata das organized several private seminars on The History of Religion and introduced Vedic knowledge. Both students and teachers were very inspired. Airavata das also introduced his book The Hidden Treasure of Al-Qur'an, which created a great deal of interest. The assembled participants were taught who Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was and what were his explanations on the Qur'an. The group decided that this was a book worth translating into the Arabic language. They also made orders for the book Teachings of Lord Caitanya. Although there were a few objections stating that the Prophet Muhammad was the last Prophet and there was to be no Prophet after him, Airavata das explained that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared on this planet not as a Prophet but as a pure devotee of the Lord and showed the masses how to practice love of God in one's daily activities. Only then was everybody satisfied. This year bhakta Muhamed was especially active. He is a student of the Riyadh University. Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia and located in the central part of the country with a population of about 2,000,000 people. Bhakta Muhamed is one of the best students in the University. He is chanting 16 rounds and following 4 regulative principles. He decided to write a treatise about the life of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He was especially impressed with the prediction of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu that on the banks of all rivers, seas and oceans the holy name of Lord Krishna will be chanted. He felt that the time had come for Krishna's name to be chanted on the banks of the Arabian Sea. He decided to dedicate his life to this mission. Since it is impossible to carry Srila Prabhupada's books into such Muslim countries from outside Airavata das is now attempting to print within Saudi Arabia the Isopanisad in the Arabic language. There are some Arabic scholars who highly appreciate the Isopanisad and they will be pleased to see it in print. If anybody is interested in preaching in Muslim countries or helping in any way please contact Airavata das through e-mail: airavata.hks@bbt.se Comment on this story  Contact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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