Obama cancels Taj Mahal visit: Indian media (put the spit back)

AFP via MSN ^ | 1/24/15

[Libloather]

**SNIP**

In an interview published Friday, Obama said "the stars are aligned" to enable the United States and India to forge a global partnership.

The cancellation of the Taj Mahal visit would deprive the country's top tourist attraction of publicity at a time when the government is trying to boost visitor numbers.

Twitter users rushed to thank the president for orchestrating a clean-up of the mausoleum in the town of Agra, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved empress who died during childbirth in 1631.

"It was just Obama's clever plan to get Agra cleaned up. Thank you Obama," posted one under the name Anamika.

[Libloather]

Workers scrubbing SPIT from a ten-mile stretch of road on hands and knees, 'rounding up' stray dogs and ordering everyone to stay inside: How India is preparing for President Obama's visit

Cleaners are being paid £3.20 a day to scrub roads, stray dogs are being 'rounded up' and curfews have been imposed on locals as India prepares for the arrival of President Barack Obama.

He arrives this weekend for an unprecedented second visit by a serving U.S. president, the honoured guest of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was a Washington outcast only a year ago.

And with a visit to the Taj Mahal on the President and his wife's itinerary, authorities are furiously working to ensure it leaves a lasting impression.

[clearcarbon]

"In an interview published Friday, Obama said 'the stars are aligned' to enable the United States and India to forge a global partnership."

[Yo-Yo]

I can't believe, as a good Muslim, that Zero will not visit one of the world's most famous Mosques.

[saywhatagain]

Am thinking the same. Why pass up a chance to see one of the great muslim temples.

I bet if we look deeper, could it be because its not of the same sect as ISIS?

[fella]

Instead of visiting an old dead muslim he’ll be visiting a newly dead muslim that he has bowed down before.

[Flick Lives]

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum, not a mosque.

[KarlInOhio]

One of the buildings in the complex is a mosque.

But there was a more important form of worship that Obama hoped to perform.

[DaveA37]

“I can't believe, as a good Muslim, that Zero will not visit one of the world's most famous Mosques.”.....

That's on mooooooooooooooochelle's next vacation itinerary, she, grandma and the kids will love it as will the 200 plus "servants" who will accompany them. So all the cleaning and preparation will not be in vain.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

The Taj Mahal (”Big Palace”) was built by Shah Jahan, the favorite grandson of Shah Jahangir, “World Conqueror”, who established the Mughal Empire in what is today northern India and Pakistan. Shah Jahan built it as a memorial to his older wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Basically, the grandson of a kick ass warrior had become a mewing, sentimental, uxorial sap who frittered away his legacy on luxuries. Kinda like the relationship of Joe Kennedy Senior to Patches.

[Gaffer]

...He arrives this weekend for an unprecedented second visit by a serving U.S. president,

Our Magic President has another 500 Million to piss away?

Which US fleets are going to be detailed to support his "mission" to India?

[windsorknot]

Imagine two of the World Wonders standing in one place.

[Yo-Yo]

The Taj Mahal is a complex of several buildings. The large domed building is a mausoleum. The four towers are minarets, designed to call the faithful to pray at the mosque.

[entropy12]

During one of the India-Pakistan wars, the Tajmahal was covered up because with it's white marble construction, it could serve as a guidepost to Pakistani bombers during the night. Tajmahal is clearly visible at night due to moonlight reflection. Another tidbit of history, Shah Jahan was the third son of the Mughal emperor Jahāngīr and the Hindu Rajput princess Manmati.