The Hindu community of Sommerset, NJ. discusses how moderates of faith can counter the growing surge of violent extremism.

On November 22, 2008, EWI’s Countering Violent Extremism Initiative continued efforts to create a global movement of moderates with a colloquium of Hindu leaders in Somerset, New Jersey (U.S.A.). The colloquium, convened by the Hindu Collective Initiative at the Arsha Bodha Center, was one of several gatherings in the United States that allow faith communities to openly discuss the nature, causes, and effects of violent extremism. The agenda of the meeting included discussions on varying definitions of violence and extremism, the tools extremists use to spread their ideology, and the role the Hindu community can play to counter the growth of violent extremism.