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DATE: October 20,
2004
Addressing a meeting
of the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) on September 20, 2004,
Mihir Meghani, M.D., President, Hindu American Foundation
(HAF) (www.hinduamericanfoundation.org),
highlighted the common values shared by the two communities
and stressed the need for Hindus and Jews to work together
to promote understanding, tolerance, and pluralism.
“Both communities
are inspired by more than 5000-year-old heritages,”
said Dr. Meghani in his address. “Family values, tolerance
and acceptance of other religions, cultures, and customs are
defining characteristics of the two,” he added.
Detailing some of the critical
issues faced by the Hindu community in the United States and
in India, Dr. Meghani discussed the increasing population
of both Indian and non-Indian heritage Hindus in the United
States and their efforts to add their voice to the American
mainstream. This was contrasted to the recent census report
from India that indicated negative demographic trends for
Hindus in India.
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“The
declining number of Hindus in India owing to a slowed
growth rate and dubious methods of conversion to other
faiths is a phenomenon that will require careful analysis,”
Dr. Meghani noted during his speech. He recognized the
potentially similar consequences of demographic shifts
faced by Jews in Israel and Hindus in India and the
shared risks they face from hostile neighbors with long
histories of terrorism. |
Highlighting the inconspicuous influence Hindu Americans
exercise over the portrayal and academic study of their religion
in academia, Dr. Meghani indicated that his community had
much to learn from the Jewish community in shaping their own
narrative in American society. “The U.S. academia is
not sensitive to Hindu concerns,” Dr. Meghani said.
He added, “Hindu education is controlled today by a
majority of academics who have no faith or abiding respect
for the subtleties and traditions of the religion they profess
to teach.”
In a letter appreciating
Dr. Meghani’s remarks, the AJC Board wrote, “You
spelled out the relevant data about the Indian community and
filtered in several overviews which gave our Board a portrait
of the central issues which are primary for the majority of
Hindus and/or Indians.” The letter went on to reemphasize
the shared commonalities, perspectives and challenges both
communities face.
For
further information: Please contact
HAF.
HAF is a non-profit, tax-exempt
501(c)(3) organization not aligned or affiliated with any
political entity, party or organization.
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