RAJAN ZED NEWS RELEASE
In a remarkable interfaith gesture, Nevada-based Hindu statesman Rajan Zed was honored with a siropa Sunday evening in Anandpur Sahib (Punjab, India) in the Sri Kesgarh Sahib complex, which houses one of the five holy Takhts of Sikhism.
A siropa (robe of honor) was presented by Giani Tarlochan Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. Zed, who is president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, was also given a shawl; a large framed picture of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib; and a set of books about Sikhism, its scripture, its Gurus, its shrines and more.
Zed was honored sometime back by the Nevada governor with a certificate for his work in interfaith dialogue, which stated: “For exemplary service in building a dialogue between the various faiths in Nevada and around the world; for building unity and creating awareness about the diversity of our state; and for sharing those messages on behalf of the state around the world”.
Zed has taken up interfaith, religion, Hindu, environment, Roma (Gypsies) and other causes all over the world. He is one of the panelists for “On Faith,” a prestigious interactive conversation on religion produced by The Washington Post, and has been bestowed with the “World Interfaith Leader Award.” He is senior fellow and religious advisor to the New York headquartered Foundation for Interreligious Diplomacy, director of interfaith relations of the Nevada Clergy Association, spiritual advisor to the National Association of Interchurch and Interfaith Families and more.
Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib is the birthplace of the Khalsa, where on March 30, 1699, Guru Gobind Singh baptized five Sikhs with amrit and gave them the last name Singh (lion) and then asked them to initiate him. According to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee website, all the “Five Takhts” are a fountainhead of inspiration and a centre of enlightenment for the entire Khalsa Panth.
Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world, and Sikhs believe in one immortal Being; ten gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh; the Guru Granth Sahib; the utterances and teachings of the ten gurus; and baptism bequeathed by the tenth guru. Personal contact with Sikhs usually impresses the outsider with energetic hospitality.
Hinduism, the oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
