Religious Freedom Crucial American Value, A Priority For President Biden: Blinken At Diwali Reception

Blinken stressed religious freedom is of top importance for the United States and is a priority for President Joe Biden.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the importance of religious freedom saying it was a fundamental American value and supporting it was a priority for US President Joe Biden as he hosted a Diwali reception on Wednesday.    ( Image Source :AFP )

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the importance of religious freedom saying it was a fundamental American value and supporting it was a priority for US President Joe Biden as he hosted a Diwali reception on Wednesday.   

Blinken, who addressed Indian Americans, including community leaders and those serving in the Biden administration, said, “It’s also an invaluable part of the United States diplomacy because it actually helps us build bonds with other nations and with peoples around the world.”

While sharing anecdotes on supporting religious diversity, Blinken said, “One way that we show our support religious diversity is through helping preserve vital pieces of cultural heritage around the world. Through efforts like the US Ambassadors Fund for cultural preservation, we’re helping restore damaged historic buildings or helping to recover lost or stolen cultural objects, like paintings and sculptures," he said.

"In February, the US government recovered a 500-year-old stolen statue of Hanuman, a Hindu deity, and returned it to the Indian government,” added Blinken.  

He added another way to demonstrate support for religious freedom was through celebrations like the Diwali celebration hosted by him.

"Diwali is a celebration of the most sacred values, love of family, kindness toward loved ones and strangers alike, forgiveness, grace, new beginnings. The holiday also reminds us of the importance of dharma, good conduct, both in individual interactions and through service to our communities," said Blinken.

"That final obligation of spreading light is maybe more important than it’s ever been. So, even as we celebrate tonight, we remember those around the world who were not able to freely celebrate their cultural and religious holidays even in the face of challenges," he added.

The Diwali reception hosted by the Secretary of State at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department started with Ajay Tejasvi from the Art of Living Foundation chanting a prayer as Blinken lit the traditional diya at the reception.

M R Rangaswami, the founder of Indiaspora, said the Indian diaspora in the US has grown in size and influence, and it is gratifying to see how Diwali is now being celebrated on a national scale across the country. From Times Square to the new World Trade Centre to Washington, DC and beyond, he said.

Rashad Hussain, United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom also stressed on the religious freedom for every individual. Religious freedom guaranteed by our Constitution is core to our mission. We continue to work every day to advance this freedom around the world. This mission includes our advocacy for Hindu communities, in countries like Pakistan, and in Bangladesh, where earlier this year I had a chance to visit a temple in Ghazipur that was attacked during the Durga Puja. We are inspired by those who have shown incredible strength and assured hospitality even in the face of tragedy, he said.