Hindus laud Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for interfaith initiative

NEVADA - Hindus have welcomed the “Astana Declaration” of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for its promotion of interreligious dialogue among other things.

Calling it a “step in the right direction”, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, stressed that serious and honest interfaith dialogue was the need of the hour.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that religion was the most powerful, complex and far-reaching force in our society, so we must take it seriously. And we all knew that religion comprised much more than our own particular tradition/experience.

“Astana Declaration”, which was laid out by OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Kanat Saudabayev of Kazakhstan at the conclusion of recent High-Level Conference on Tolerance and Non-Discrimination at Kazakhstan capital Astana, besides interfaith dialogue and interreligious partnerships, also pointed out about convening Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions; cooperation and understanding among religions; combating intolerance, discrimination, racism, xenophobia; reaffirming the right of individuals to practice religion of their choice; etc.

Stressing the merits of interfaith dialogue, Rajan Zed argued that in our shared pursuit for the truth, we could learn from one another and thus could arrive nearer to the truth. This dialogue might help us vanquish the stereotypes, prejudices, caricatures, etc., passed on to us from previous generations. Zed said that Hindus commended the interreligious dialogue initiatives of OSCE and hoped that Hindus would get adequate representation in its future interreligious efforts.

Zed also lauded this Declaration for “strengthened commitment” on improving the situation of Roma and Sinti, who Zed said were facing apartheid like conditions in Europe. Declaration placed a particular emphasis on educational opportunities for Roma and Sinti, talked about promoting tolerance and combating prejudices against Roma and Sinti in order to prevent their further marginalization and exclusion, and to address the rise of violent manifestations of intolerance against Roma and Sinti, etc.

Headquartered in Vienna (Austria) with Ambassador Marc Perrin de Brichambaut of France as Secretary General, OSCE claims to be the “world’s largest regional security organization whose 56 participating States span the geographical area from Vancouver to Vladivostok”. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.(ANI)