Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, commended her personal commitment in improving interfaith relations and creating mutual respect among various faith traditions.
According to reports, Queen Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip visited Hindu Krishna-Avanti Primary School in Edgware in Greater London on the first day of her Diamond Jubilee tour on March 29. In 2010, Queen acknowledged contributions of “all faiths” while inaugurating Ninth General Synod of the Church of England in Westminster (UK). In 2002, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited Highgate Hill Murugan Hindu Temple in North London.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that it was remarkable on the part of the Queen, who is Supreme Governor of the Church of England, to speak about “all faiths” and “great faith traditions” instead of just talking about Church of England. Applauding Queen’s inclusive approach, Zed argued that UK was now a multi-faith society and urged Queen to extend her support to make the opening prayers in both houses of UK Parliament multi-faith instead of the current only belonging to Christian faith.
Rajan Zed also urged the Queen to visit a Hindu temple on the next Diwali, which falls on November 13.
Zed pointed out that serious and honest interfaith dialogue was the need of the hour. 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.
Diamond Jubilee marked 60 years of The Queen's reign who came to the throne on February six, 1952 and her coronation took place on June two, 1953.
