Nevada observes 25th Thanksgiving with Christian-Muslim-Hindu-Buddhist-Jewish-Ba
General
Author : Rajan Zed
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In a remarkable interfaith gesture, Nevada (USA) celebrated its 25th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service on November 24 evening at Trinity Episcopal Church in Reno with various religions/denominations coming together to pray.
Christian (various denominations), Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, and Baha'i prayers and other readings were held on the occasion giving thanks to God. Participants included Episcopal rector Stefani Schatz, Buddhist priest William Bartlett, Jewish rabbi Myra Soifer, Roman Catholic readers Joe Bell and Rocio Grady, United Methodist pastor Judith Bitter, Muslim imam Abdulrahim Barghouthi, Hindu leader Rajan Zed, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints elder Nicholas Frey, Baha'i elder Roya Galata, Robert Petrovich of International Community of Christ.
Michael Langham of Reno Trinity Episcopal Church, The Shepherd's Bells Choir of Reno Lutheran Church of Good Shepherd lead by Toni de Salvo, Reno Stake Choir of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lead by Mildred Earl, Roger Hogan of Reno Baha'is, and St. Cecilia Choir of Reno Trinity Episcopal Church lead by Matthew Moore provided various musical selections including "Simple Gifts", "Call to Worship", "How Great Thou Art", "Amazing Grace", "OLD 100th Psalm Tune", and "Nun danket alle Gott". Audience also participated in congregational hymns "Come Ye Thankful People Come" and "We Gather Together".
Group of children, organized by Sierra Foundation, gave a "Whirling Dervishes Performance". The food items were collected on the occasion to be donated to Food Bank of Northern Nevada and monetary donations collected to go to Family Promise.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism and who read "Gayatri mantra", most sacred mantra of Hinduism, on the occasion, says that a more inclusive and broader understanding of religion is needed and events like this help unite us as a community.
Thanksgiving, which traces its roots to Plymouth (Massachusetts) settlers in autumn 1621, is said to be an annual tradition in USA since 1863 and fell on November 25 this year. It is also observed in Canada, Grenada, Leiden (Netherlands) and Liberia.
Details of the picture attached:
Just before the Service, from left to right areUnited Methodist pastor Judith Bitter, Robert Petrovich of International Community of Christ, Jewish rabbi Myra Soifer, Buddhist priest William Bartlett, Hindu leader Rajan Zed, Muslim imam Abdulrahim Barghouthi, Episcopal rector Stefani Schatz, Baha'i elder Roya Galata, Bruce Brinkerhoff of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
| About Author |
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Rajan Zed is a religious statesman who has taken up Hindu, interfaith, religion, Roma and other causes all over the world.
He was invited by President of European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pottering, in December 2008 in Brussels (Belgium) for a meeting to promote interfaith dialogue. He has read opening prayers in United States Senate in Washington DC, various state senates and assemblies/houses-of- representatives, city councils, etc., across the country.
Zed is one of the panelists for “On Faith”, a prestigious interactive conversation on religion produced by The Washington Post. He has been bestowed with “World Interfaith Leader Award”, “Nevada Religious Unity Award”, “Positive Pluralism & Unity Prize”, & other awards for interfaith dialogue.
He is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, Senior Fellow and Religious Advisor to New York headquartered Foundation for Interreligious Diplomacy, Director of Interfaith Relations of Nevada Clergy Association, Spiritual Advisor to National Association of Interchurch & Interfaith Families, etc.
Rajan Zed is on the Governing Board of Directors of Northern Nevada International Center, on the Board of Directors of Nevada World Trade Council, member Citizens Advisory Committee of Regional Transportation Commission, member Reno Police Chief Advisory Board, etc.
He possesses Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from University of Nevada-Reno and Master of Science in Mass Communications from San Jose State University, California.
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