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The statement was released today by Mike Ghouse, President for the Foundation for Pluralism and World Muslim Congress, committed to building pluralistic societies and opening our hearts and minds towards fellow beings..Hindu Mandir Executives of America meet in Edison, NJ
Hindu Mandir (Temple) Executives representing 97 temples and Hindu Organizations from more than 25 states of US and Canada and Caribbean converged in Edison, NJ, to attend the second Hindu Mandir Executives Conference (HMEC), from August 10, 2007 through August 12, 2007. They traveled from as far as British Columbia in Canada, Hawaii, California, Florida, and the heartland of America, with a mission to nourish, protect and sustain Hindu Dharma in America.
This very successful HMEC-2007 follows the first ever such Conference of Executives of Hindu Mandirs held in Atlanta, GA, in June 2006, which was attended by representatives of 57 temples from all over North America.
The executives represented a wide cross-section of the Hindu community. These attendees who numbered over 200, were physicians, scientists, businesspersons, homemakers, engineers, etc. besides being temple executives with deep commitment to fulfilling the spiritual and social needs of Hindu-American community. The group was diverse in terms of age, race, generation, as well as national origin. A 29 year old Mandir President represented the Hindu Youth at the Conference.
Addressing the temple executives from across the country, Swami Dayananda Sarawati of the ‘Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam’, who was the keynote speaker, emphasized that the Hindu Mandirs should be halls of learning for the Hindu youth besides being the altars of worship.
At HMEC 2007, Hindu Mandir executives collectively deliberated on the evolving social, religious, cultural and spiritual needs of 2.5 million strong, confident, diverse and vibrant Hindu-American community. The conference had some parallel sessions for the youth representing temples from across the nation.
In the concluding session of the Conference, the delegates agreed on a series of action items and passed the following resolutions unanimously for consideration of their temple’s boards.
Resolution 1
We, the Hindu Mandirs of America:
Commend the US Congress in general and Senator Harry Reid in particular for taking the courageous act of inviting Shri Rajen Zed to perform the invocation for Senate session with a Hindu Prayer.
We will work together, and work with public institutions to enhance the presence of Hindu traditions in public sphere.
Resolution 2
We, the Hindu Mandirs of America:
Will work together and with US Governmental agencies to ensure that the upcoming eligibility criteria for issuance of R1 Visa by US authorities Hindu “religious workers” does not adversely impact the operations and effectiveness of Hindu Mandirs.
Resolution 3
We, the Hindu Mandirs of America:
Agree to adopt and promote within the US school system the Hindu Dharma supplement published by Hinduism Today. An action committee shall be constituted to enhance the dissemination and sustenance of this effort.