Paush Shuddha Trayodashi
Press Release
Nevada, USA: Despite religious conflicts around the world, Nevada clergy belonging to diverse faiths came together in Reno to honor fellow Nevadan acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who was recently invited to European Parliament (EP) for promoting interfaith dialogue.
Christian (various denominations), Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Baha’i, etc. religious leaders in northern Nevada gathered for an "interfaith clergy reception in honor of interfaith leader Rajan Zed’s EP visit", besides various political, government, community, and student leaders of the region. Zed is president of Universal Society of Hinduism.
Speakers honoring the Hindu leader Zed included Most Reverend Randolph R. Calvo, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Reno; Right Reverend Gene Savoy Jr., Head Bishop of International Community of Christ; Reverend John J. Auer, Pastor of First United Methodist Church; Swami Sitaramananda, Director of Sivananda Yoga Ashrams; William Bartlett, renowned chaplain and Buddhist priest; Nicholas F. Frey of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Abdulkadir Basaran, Director of Sierra Foundation; etc.
Dr. Milton Glick, President of prestigious University of Nevada-Reno; Mike Poehlman, Chief of Police of Reno; Thomas Honesco of Art of Living Foundation; Lonnie L. Feemster of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Tom Spille, President of River School; etc., spoke in appreciation of Rajan Zed’s efforts to unite various communities locally and internationally.
National Association of Interchurch & Interfaith Families awarded Zed with its "World Interfaith Leader Award", handed over today by its co-chairperson Barbara Slater, "in recognition of extraordinary world leadership, courage and capacity for inspiring in others the urge of interfaith dialogue." Nevada Art of Living Foundation presented Zed with "Nevada Religious Unity Award" "for enriching our community through interfaith dialogue". Nevada Clergy Association gave him a Certificate of Special Recognition in appreciation of "his promotion of interfaith dialogue and as an advocate of human spiritual rights". Well-known River School presented him with "Positive Pluralism & Unity Prize" for "his exemplary service and efforts".
Renowned Methodist Pastor Auer in his speech described Rajan Zed as an "interfaith prophet" and added, "He stands in a tradition with all who invite us to embrace differences free of dogma."
Shanti Shanti, the only Sanskrit rock band of the world, delivered a specially tailored performance for Zed on the occasion, which included western spiritual and Sanskrit hymns from Rig-Veda (oldest existing scripture of the world dated around 1,500 BCE).
Washoe County is formally presenting Zed with a Resolution on January 20 during its Board of County Commissioners meeting, honoring his achievements and recognizing his recent meeting with EP President in Brussels (Belgium).
Rajan Zed was invited by EP President Hans-Gert Pottering for a meeting to promote interfaith dialogue, whom he met on December ten. This was the first major formal visit of a Hindu leader to EP during the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (EYID). Various other world religious leaders who visited EP as part of EYID include Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, Dalai Lama, Grand Mufti of Syria and Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.
Zed has recited groundbreaking first Hindu opening prayer in United States Senate in Washington DC, besides historic first Hindu prayers in various state legislatures of USA. He is one of the panelists for "On Faith", a prestigious interactive conversation on religion produced jointly by Newsweek and washingtonpost.com. An internationally distinguished Croatian fashion designer, Mandali Mendrilla, recently dedicated a line of designer shirts from her atelier collection to Zed as an honor.
