Rajan Zed Calls Religions to Join Hands For Tackling Poverty

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was applauded by Hindus for his concern for families struggling with economic troubles.

Presiding over New Year's Eve vespers service in Vatican City marking the final hours of 2010, Pope held a public prayer and asked for solidarity with those living in poverty or deprivation, according to reports.

Well known Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that poverty was a monumental crisis and biggest challenge facing world today and it should be dealt at an emergency level. Religions joining hands on this issue would be the most effective way to deal with it.

Religion was the most powerful and far-reaching force in our society and could prove very influential in handling common concerns like human improvement, peace, ecological responsibility, social and economic development, etc., Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, added.

Pope Benedict heads the Roman Catholic Church, which is the largest of the Christian denominations. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

Source: ANI