Dear friends,

we are already four weeks into the new year. Yet, this is my first post to the group in 2015. So, I like to wish everyone a happy new year.

Buddhism is strongly against the use of violence in the name of religion. However, it is sad to note that an extreme militant group ISIS has been spreading its message of hatred over the past year. Many Muslims in other parts of the world are peace-loving and respectful people, who coexist with others and live non-provocative and non-violent lives. I hope that the ISIS terror-mongers repent and give up their evil ways, or they will have to face the ultimate fate of total extermination. They should realise early that the use of force and coercion on others to accept their beliefs and ideologies is downright despicable and unacceptable in the 21st century.

With metta,

Yong Peng.