Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA), said that in view of continuing global economic downturn, Hindus should show camaraderie to the brethren who were suffering from the financial crisis by fasting for a day.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that we should petition god through unified, collaborative and coordinated action of prayer on this day and ask mercy from God for those suffering from the meltdown. Hindu scripture Rig-Veda (dated around 1500 BCE) also tells us: Have mercy on us once more, generous Lord, and be like a father to us.

Rajan Zed urged other world religions/denominations also to support the Hindu call for fast and prayer on January seven as religion told us to help the helpless. We should abandon the temptation to pursue our own selfish interests and agendas for a day to fast and pray for the suffering fellow human beings in these chaotic economic times, Zed stressed and added that illusion of money veiled our minds, resulting in unprecedented turmoil in the financial markets.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksha (liberation) is its ultimate goal.