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In a world where religious conflicts are on the rise, the need to build bridges between societies, and promote dialogue and understanding among peoples of different faiths has never been greater. Hinduism, a religion based on pluralism and tolerance, can help bridge that gap. Jocelyne Sambira reports.

NARR: With roots in Asia and going back 5,000 years, Hinduism is one of the world's oldest existing religions. Its core principles are based on tolerance, pluralism and peaceful coexistence. However, Sheetal Shah says the Hindu philosophy is hugely misrepresented by the media as an exotic religion that worships multiple Gods, some in the form of monkeys and others with multiple heads. She is working hard through the Hindu American Foundation which she heads, to break the stereotypes.

SHAH: As a Hindu American teenager I was consistently faced with the same questions. What is that red dot? Why are you vegetarian? You have a monkey God? These questions didn't unnecessary stem from my peers many times it came from their parents and even from my teachers. They were surprising and unsettling and unfortunately perpetually forthcoming. And despite the waves of Hindus settling in America I am still faced with questions about my faith and my identity that surprise me.

NARR: Hinduism is generally agreed to be a very welcoming and inclusive religion because it does not see other faiths as competition, and does not seek to convert others. Thomas Uthapa of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, believes this is why India has hosted many small religions coming from the outside like Judaism.

UTHAPA: Judaism for instance is believed to have came to India in 70 AD after the roman temple was destroyed by the Romans and Nathan Katz who wrote a book called "Who are the Jews of India" has observed that India is the only country where the Jews were not persecuted and he describes three Jewish communities that have existed in India for centuries.

NARR: Even in India's contemporary society, there is still acceptance and respect of other religions. However, Indian Muslims and Hindus have been at loggerheads in the past for reasons other than their religious fundamentalism, says Thomas Uthapa.

UTHAPA: We often hear about violence between Hindus and Muslims but one of the things is that most of these Hindu - Muslim riots have taken place in just four of India's 28 states. 70% of violence has taken place in 30 of 400 cities and just 8 cities are responsible for half the fatalities in this kind of violence. So there is violence in the cities and the reasons for that are not just religious but they are often economic or the breakdown of associational life. But in the villages people do not believe in violence for the most part because they know they have to live with each other. They know they depend on each other.

NARR: Sheetal Shah believes that the Hindu community should be at the forefront in defining its faith as one that can bring communities together.

SHAH: As the world continues to shrink our differences seems to grow and conflicts in the name of religion continues to arise and it will always continue to arise as long as anyone's faith claims to be the only way or the right way. Hinduism as you have heard offers a different way of thinking. One that does not require you to pledge allegiance to the faith but that offers hopes that just maybe we might be able to build and not burn the bridges. And you already heard it three times but as the fourth speaker I fell compelled to repeat the truth is one the wise call it by many names.

NARR: Hinduism can foster peace because it looks at the whole world as one big family, Professor Seshagiri Rao, Chief Editor of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism tells us.

RAO: The whole world is a family, so we should take care of ours. And the prayer of the Hindus every day is, let all people be happy. Let all people be rid of sicknesses. Let all peoples have good fortune. Let nobody have suffering.

NARR: The Hindu prayers or mantras, says Mr. Jayaraman, Director of Bhavan USA, and Institute of the Indian Culture, portray this respect for diversity and genuine pursuit of the truth.

JAYARAMAN: In Sanskrit it is said: let the whole world become a nest for the entire humanity. The whole world becomes a nest. Only four words then at the end I will say, let us walk together. Let us speak together. Let us think together. Let us meditate together and let us live together. Let us eat together. [the mantra in Sanskrit].These are the mantras.

PRES: Mr. Jayaraman, Director of Bhavan USA, the Institute of Indian Culture reciting the mantras or Hindu prayers.

Duration: 4'46"