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Hindus laud Austria for hosting international interfaith Forum
Hindus have welcomed mainly Roman Catholic Austria for hosting two-day high-profile Global Forum in Vienna, bringing
together experts from world-over to have intercultural and interreligious dialogue.
“It is a step in the right direction for Austria”, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed stated in Nevada (USA) today.
Titled "Responsible Leadership in Diversity and Dialogue", this “5th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of
Civilisations (UNAOC)” is being held on February 27-28. It will reportedly revolve around the issues of religious
freedom, religious pluralism, interaction among religious groups, media pluralism, migration, integration, etc.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that despite our seriously different traditions, we
should learn to live together in mutual trust and peace. Dialogue would bring us mutual enrichment and help us overcome
prejudices passed on to us by previous generations.
Rajan Zed pointed out that religion was a complex component of our lives and its broader and more inclusive
understanding was needed.
Zed thanked efforts of Dr. Michael Spindelegger, Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for European and International
Affairs of the Republic of Austria; and Jorge Sampaio, High Representative of UNAOC; for promoting through this Forum
cultural diversity and integrity, inclusivity and pluralism; aiming at peace and social progress.
Marc Scheuer is director of UNAOC, a UN political initiative, which aims to improve understanding and cooperation across
cultures and religions and, in the process, to help counter forces that fuel polarization.
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