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DATE: April
25, 2005
Members of the Hindu American
Foundation (HAF) Board of Directors met with Hindu and Buddhist
leaders in the months following the December 26, 2004 tsunami
that devastated the country. The HAF leadership heard concerns
from Hindu and Buddhist leaders over tsunami relief from non-governmental
organizations being tied to affected victims converting to
Christianity. In a groundbreaking new project, HAF also announced
that it would look into the flow of money for tsunami relief
to investigate claims that a disproportionate amount of money
was being utilized by non-pluralist groups.
HAF leaders heard additional
concerns from Hindu and Buddhist leaders about the lack of
unity among Indic religions, and the need for pluralistic
traditions to join together against exclusive ideologies that
threatened the tolerant and pluralistic nature of Sri Lankan
society. The Sri Lankan spiritual leadership felt that a law
was needed to protect Sri Lankans from fraudulent and coerced
conversions, much like what was in place in some states of
India, such as Gujarat, and hoped that the proposed “Freedom
of Religion Act” would pass.
Finally, HAF leaders expressed
hope that peace would prevail so that the country could start
rebuilding its economy and work to preserve the great pluralistic
spiritual traditions that have been present.
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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