Ayodhya verdict: Hindu Americans call for communal harmony

WASHINGTON: Ahead of the crucial Ayodhya title verdict, a US-based prominent Hindu group has asked both Hindus and Muslims to maintain communal harmony and work towards reconciliation after the judgement.

"Respect for sacred lands as well as respect for the religious sentiments attached to such spaces goes to the very heart of religious pluralism and harmonious coexistence," said Mihir Meghani, co-founder and member of the Hindu American Foundation (HAF).

"It is our fervent hope that both Hindus and Muslims will exercise restraint no matter what the judgement (would be) and begin working towards reconciliation," Meghani said.

"While a court judgement may settle the legalities over land ownership, it will likely not win the hearts and minds of all those that hold this site to have deep religious and historical significance.

"Religious leaders can play a constructive role in an amicable resolution, taking into consideration that this site has served as a place of pilgrimage for millions of Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists even while the mosque was still intact," he said.

The Allahabad High Court will pronounce the long awaited verdict on Ayodhya title suit on Friday.