ISIS 'death threat' to AoL founder Ravi Shankar

Bengaluru, March 28 (IANS) Art of Living (AoL) Foundation on Saturday claimed that its founder Sri Ravi Shankar received death threat from international terror organisation ISIS during his present visit to Malaysia.

"Three (death) threat letters were received addressed to three persons, including our director and faculty in Malaysia and a general manager of the hotel where Ravi Shankar is staying," he city-based AoL said in a statement here, enclosing copy of the letters.

One of the letters, addressed in English and Arabic said: "Be warned that if Indian guru Ravi Shankar steps foot in Malaysia or any other Muslim country, this is what will happen him," with a picture of a beheaded man on ground.

The letters, sent by courier to AoL at Selangor in Malaysia, further said: "We will destroy all the venues where his activities are happening and thousands of people will die because of him."

The letters also accused Ravi Shankar of meddling in the Islamic affairs of Iran and Iraq.

"A rogue who says he is non-religious yet converting Muslims in Iran and Iraq to Hindu. This is not a joke. We are very serious about this," the letter said.

The first letter is addressed to Hotel Jen general manager Gavin Weighthead at Penang, while the second to AoL director and International Association for Human Values (IAHA) Ambika Menon and third to Aol senior faculty Ee Mei at Selangor.

"We have informed the Indian embassy, local authorities and police in Malaysia," AoL said in the statement.

Undeterred by the threat letters, AoL conducted a yoga programme in the morning for about 10,000 people at Penang.

"Ravi Shankar has also addressed a gathering of about 70,000 people at Batu Kawan stadium in Penang later in the evening," the statement added.