From the MAY 2007 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter

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On 3rd April the Mayor of Moscow signed a decree alloting 5 acres of land for a Hare Krishna temple in Moscow. Although the agreement was reached many months earlier, the signing of the official document brings to fruit several years of tireless efforts. A conceptual design for the complex has been already approved by the Planning Committee but work continues to obtain full regulatory approval. Russian devotees headed by Bhakti Vijnana Swami are very grateful for assistance provided by devotees in Britain and the rest of the world. The issue reached an international level following the destruction of the original temple in Moscow by local authorities to make way for a commercial complex. A promise to provide alternative land in compensation was never fulfilled, leaving worshippers in sub-zero conditions without shelter. Bhaktivedanta Manor and the Hindu Forum of Britain organised a meeting of all-party MPs and peers in the House of Commons in January 2006, kicking off a series of high-level diplomatic initiatives between UK and Russian couterparts. Special thanks are due to Ashok Kumar (MP), James Clappison (MP), Lord Dholakia, CB Patel, Nitin mple design Palan and leaders of the major religions for their active assistance. Although relocation of displaced worshippers and facilities continues in Moscow, the latest achievement is welcome news.