Hindus and Jews are hopeful that Pope will not stay apathetic to apartheid conditions faced by Roma people in Czech Republic and will strongly take-up their cause during his September 26-28 visit.

Rajan Zed, acclaimed Hindu statesman; and Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich, prominent Jewish leader in Nevada and California in USA; in a joint statement in Nevada today, said that it was almost sinful and morally unjustifiable for religious people to just ignore Roma face daily apartheid and not raise concern. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, being the world’s largest and most influential religious leader, would be very effective in raising the issue of maltreatment of Roma of Czech Republic during this apostolic journey next week.

Leviticus 19: 33-34 says, "When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien.  The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you.  You shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt:  I am the LORD your God."

Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, and Rabbi Freirich, argued that religion taught us to plead for the oppressed, stand with the poor, and seek justice for those whom God loved and too often the world overlooked.  

Roma people migrated to Europe starting around 11th century.