Designated “Hindu Prayer Room” sought in taxpayer-funded NZ universities of Auckland & Waikato

Hindus are urging for a permanent and dedicated “Hindu Prayer Room” in New Zealand’s publicly-funded University of Auckland and University of Waikato, both of which house Christian chapels and Muslim prayer spaces.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that state- funded Auckland and Waikato universities should respond to the requirements of Hindu students to provide a designated prayer-meditation hall for rituals, quiet reflection, festivals and spiritual exercise; which would help in their personal growth.

Is not New Zealand a secular state with no established or official state religion, with constitutional and human‑rights obligations requiring equal treatment, non‑discrimination, and religious neutrality? Are not New Zealand public universities, backed by taxpayer dollars, constitutionally bound to uphold religious equality? Do we have to prove that Hinduism is “worthy” of accommodation? Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, asked.

Rajan Zed pointed out that “Hindu Prayer Room” in the Auckland and Waikato universities would be a step in the positive direction in view of the reportedly fairly sizable presence of Hindu students in these universities; as it was important to meet the spiritual needs of these students. Many universities/colleges in the USA now offer Hindu prayer rooms.

Zed suggested that the “Hindu Prayer Room” preferably should have a shrine containing murtis (statues) of popular Hindu deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Rama, Krishna, Durga, Venkateshwara, Ganesha, Murugan, Saraswati, Hanuman, Lakshmi, Kali, etc.; besides being equipped with ghanta (big metallic bell hanging from the ceiling), dholak (two-headed hand-drum), Shiva-linga, etc.

Rajan Zed urged New Zealand Minister for Tertiary Education Penny Simmonds, New Zealand Secretary for Education Ellen MacGregor-Reid, University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor Dawn Freshwater, University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Neil Quigley to seriously look into this issue and be more receptive to the needs of their diverse student bodies.

Hindu students seemed to be underserved as shared or generic multi-faith/quiet rooms/spaces often did not adequately accommodate Hindu worship practices, Zed stated.

Universities of Auckland and Waikato needed to recognize the intersection of spirituality and education, which was important in Hinduism; Rajan Zed added.

Both; Maclaurin Chapel at University of Auckland and Lady Goodfellow Chapel at University of Waikato; reportedly are Christian chapels. There is “Holy Communion/Eucharist” on 12 pm Wednesday at Maclaurin Chapel; and baptisms take place in Lady Goodfellow Chapel.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about 1.3 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought; and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.