Malaysia Hindudharma Mamandram
Encyclopedia
Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram, also known as MHDM, is Hindu
-based non-governmental organization
in Malaysia. Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram was founded in 1982 in Kuala Lumpur
, Malaysia. It is dedicated to serving Hindus in Malaysia through religious education and spiritual development. By disseminating spiritual knowledge and moral values, Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram hopes to facilitate the spiritual development of Hindus in Malaysia.
of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. Col.(ret.) Sathaya was the first president of the religious organization. The current president of Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram is Associate Professor Dr. N.S. Rajendran who took over the position in May 2001. Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram currently has 35 active branches all over Malaysia, organized into six departments based on geographic location.
by the British
from the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu
. Of these ethnic Indians, almost 89% are Hindus. As one of the biggest Hindu organizations in Malaysia, the Malaysia Hindudharma Mamandram has been at the forefront of various issues facing the India
n community in Malaysia.
The Malaysia Hindudharma Mamandram was a founding member of the Malaysia Hindu Council (MHC), an umbrella organization
of Hindu groups in the country formed with the aim of cooperation in dealing with the issues facing the Indian community as well as concerted efforts in social and religious work.
Also, Malaysia Hindudharma Mamandram has been an integral part of negotiations with the government of Malaysia in addressing the misgivings of Indians in Malaysia, a problem that came to the fore with the HINDRAF
-led rallies in the capital Kuala Lumpur on November 25, 2007.
See also Survey of Hindu organisations
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
-based non-governmental organization
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
in Malaysia. Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram was founded in 1982 in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaysia. It is dedicated to serving Hindus in Malaysia through religious education and spiritual development. By disseminating spiritual knowledge and moral values, Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram hopes to facilitate the spiritual development of Hindus in Malaysia.
History
In 1982, Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram was formed by seven founding members with the blessings of His Holiness Jagatguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi SwamigalJayendra Saraswathi
Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal is the 69th Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham....
of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. Col.(ret.) Sathaya was the first president of the religious organization. The current president of Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram is Associate Professor Dr. N.S. Rajendran who took over the position in May 2001. Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram currently has 35 active branches all over Malaysia, organized into six departments based on geographic location.
Hinduism in Malaysia
It is estimated that 7.1% of the 25 million (July 2008 est.) total population of Malaysia, or about 1.79 million people, are ethnic Indians, most of whom are the descendents of indentured labourers brought to MalayaBritish Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
by the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
from the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
. Of these ethnic Indians, almost 89% are Hindus. As one of the biggest Hindu organizations in Malaysia, the Malaysia Hindudharma Mamandram has been at the forefront of various issues facing the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n community in Malaysia.
The Malaysia Hindudharma Mamandram was a founding member of the Malaysia Hindu Council (MHC), an umbrella organization
Umbrella organization
An umbrella organization is an association of institutions, who work together formally to coordinate activities or pool resources. In business, political, or other environments, one group, the umbrella organization, provides resources and often an identity to the smaller organizations...
of Hindu groups in the country formed with the aim of cooperation in dealing with the issues facing the Indian community as well as concerted efforts in social and religious work.
Also, Malaysia Hindudharma Mamandram has been an integral part of negotiations with the government of Malaysia in addressing the misgivings of Indians in Malaysia, a problem that came to the fore with the HINDRAF
HINDRAF
HINDRAF or Hindu Rights Action Force ; Chinese:兴权 with its slogan of People's Power மக்கள் சக்தி ) began as a coalition of 30 Hindu non-governmental organizations committed to the preservation of Hindu community rights and heritage in a multiracial Malaysia...
-led rallies in the capital Kuala Lumpur on November 25, 2007.
Related links
See also Survey of Hindu organisations