Hindus laud Queen Elizabeth II for talking about 'all faiths' at Church of England Synod

Nevada (US), Nov 26 (ANI): Hindus have applauded Her Majesty The Queen of United Kingdom (UK) Elizabeth II for acknowledging contributions of "all faiths" while inaugurating Ninth General Synod of the Church on England in Westminster (UK) on November 23.

Queen reportedly said on the occasion: "In our more diverse and secular society, the place of religion has come to be a matter of lively discussion. It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue and that the wellbeing and prosperity of the nation depend on the contribution of individuals and groups of all faiths and of none. Yet, as the recent visit of His Holiness The Pope reminded us, churches and the other great faith traditions retain the potential to inspire great enthusiasm, loyalty and a concern for the common good."

Prominent Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, 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.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that United Kingdom and Commonwealth were now multi-faith societies and the Queen talking about the contribution of all faiths in the prosperity and well being of the nation was "a step in the right direction".

Rajan 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.

In 2002 The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited Highgate Hill Murugan Hindu Temple in North London.

The General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England, which is recognized by law as the official church of England. About 1.7 million people take part in a Church of England service each month and Dr. Rowan Douglas Williams is the Archbishop of Canterbury. (ANI)